Ronald Anthony Suppa

Life Legacy Ronald A Suppa, October 21, 1948 – January 5, 2016 The UCLA Writers’ Program, LA entertainment industry, family, friends, colleagues and adoring students alike have lost one of the most longstanding and dedicated screenwriting instructors, entertainment attorney, producer and writer, dad and friend. Ron Suppa passed away on January 5, 2016 after a long and hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma. Ron was born and raised in the Italian section of South Philadelphia, only child to Patrick (Pasquale) and Grace. He attended a private Catholic High School, then studied at a Penn State college branch. After one year, he transferred to Penn State where he graduated. Ron then decided to pursue a law degree at University of Wisconsin, Madison. While there, he ran the student body and was highly involved with many other groups. After graduating at the top of his class, he accepted a position at a prestigious LA Entertainment law firm. Before too long, he made a life-changing decision to pursue writing and producing. Ron and his business partner launched their own production company. While he built a successful career, he also travelled the world at every opportunity. Ron lived in England for several years and once stated “some of the best years of my life were those spent living in England.” Once back in LA, he joined the UCLA Writers’ Program where he taught screenwriting through the Extension program for 27 years, rising to the position of Senior Instructor and earning The Outstanding Instructor Award. He developed a script consultation business, while continuing to write screenplays, consult on productions, and produce films. Ron eventually settled down, raising a family in Sherman Oaks/Westlake Village. A WGA member who produced and/or wrote ten feature films, including Paradise Alley and Riding the Edge, and authored Real Screenwriting Strategies and Stories from the Trenches, Ron was an adored and respected professor and author. He then went on to write for several screenwriting magazines and created a large industry following with the monthly publications. He wrote many short stories and eventually full length novels. Students felt Ron was tough yet supportive, a consummate pragmatist. His philosophy and approach were unique…“The mystery that has evolved around the word ‘structure,’ for example, is just so much bunk,” Ron wrote. “All art has form and lends order to chaos, but if you can dance, you already know about pacing and rhythm.” Ron’s favorite course and the one he predominantly taught was Writing the First Screenplay I, the first in a four-part sequence that leads students through the step-by-step process of writing a full-length feature film. Ron loved to introduce students to the basics of story structure, character, plot, and scene as he watched his students work develop into a viable screenplay. Ron felt his greatest accomplishment was the birth of his two beloved children. He adored and reveled in every nuance of Nicolas and Gianna. Their love for each other was fully expressed and demonstrated in too many ways to count. Film, writing and philosophizing were at the heart of what they shared on a daily basis, deeply enriching their individual life perspectives. It was his dream come true to have the opportunity to bestow all that he had experienced in his rich, full life to his children, as he watched them grow and develop his very same passions. Last year, Ron was instrumental in helping Nick make a final decision on where to attend college. The choice was made after a weekend spent in the mountain community of UC Boulder. Ron could not have been more proud or supportive of that decision. Equally, Gianna’s deep love of art, music and writing brought the greatest joy, warmth and pride to her dad. Their shared passions for creativity will live on, as Nick and Gianna carry the torch into their young adult lives with their loving mom, Lisa, by their side. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 11am located at the San Buena Ventura Mission, 211 E. Main Street in Ventura.