A film starring, and directed by, Oak Park resident Seth McClellan, a professor at Triton College, will screen at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., on Oct. 24, 26 and 30.

Creative Writing, a fictionalized story based on real events told in black and white, takes a look at a group of writers desperate to be famous but who do not put in the effort to become skilled writers.

"I think people are brainwashed, or maybe it's just the human condition, by advertising and Facebook to think that if they could only be 'somebody' they would be happy," McClellan said in an email.

In his story, which explores being "vulnerable in unexpected ways," McClellan tackles ambition as well as race.

"The dreams and delusions of a creative writing class erupt into a racially-charged confrontation," McClellan said.

Creative Writing premiered at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase in L.A. and won the top award at the Iowa indie film fest.

Q & A with Seth McClellan