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Screenwriting Professor Randall Wallace Gives Keynote at National Prayer Breakfast

Prominent screenwriter and director Randall Wallace delivered the keynote address at the 2011 National Prayer Breakfast, where he joined President Obama and addressed the nation on February 3.

Wallace, who earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay of Braveheart, teaches students of Pepperdine’s Creative Writing program and Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen and Television program. Among his many professional accomplishments, Wallace wrote and directed The Man in the Iron Mask and We Were Soldiers, and most recently, directed Disney's Secretariat.

During his keynote address, Wallace told the story of his upbringing and faith, focusing his comments on the simple yet pertinent subject of prayer. Of his personal viewpoint on prayer, he said, “Prayer sifts us like sand…Did we come this morning to feel a closeness to power? Do we come before God because what we truly want is to use the ultimate power we imagine God has? Or do we fall to our knees to admit the truth of our weakness--and stand again, in the strength of that truth? Jesus said the truth will set us free, and He said that the truth is: God is love. It seems to me that the prayer that comes from Love is the prayer that goes to God.”

On being invited to speak at the event, Wallace commented, "It was both thrilling and humbling to share a podium with the president and to speak about prayer. The National Prayer Breakfast brings together people of different parties, creeds, faiths, and nations and unites them in the shared search for a connection with the divine."

Prior to his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, more than 1,200 attendees at Pepperdine’s second annual Reel Stories Film Festival heard Wallace speak as he presented the awards to accomplished student filmmakers. Describing his experience presenting at the event, he said, "Reel Stories excites and inspires me. The fact that the students have been able to execute and lead the event to such success two years in a row is a reminder that talent can bloom suddenly and unexpectedly."

Wallace joined the Pepperdine faculty in 2009 as an adjunct professor and teaches “Advanced Writing for Screen and Television.” He continues to impact all aspiring student filmmakers with his teaching and involvement in the annual student-led film event, noted Craig Detweiler, director of Pepperdine’s Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture.

“What a remarkable opportunity for our students to learn from one of the most esteemed filmmakers in Hollywood,” Detweiler said. “Randall Wallace pours so much heart and soul into each and every one of his projects, and brings the same passion to the classroom.”