Johnny Viscaino

Famous director hosts workshop at UNM

One of this year’s University of New Mexico Homecoming Week highlights was the presence of Brian Lavant, a 1974 Media Arts graduate and seasoned Hollywood veteran, whose six-week course on sitcom writing wrapped up on Tuesday. With five decades of entertainment industry experience under his belt, Lavant has been at the creative helm of some of the biggest franchises in family entertainment, the Cinematic Arts Department writes. He helped bring to life projects such as, “Happy Days” and “Mork and Mindy,” along with feature films like “The Flintstones,” starring John Goodman and “Jingle all the Way” with Arnold Schwarzenegger.