University of Iowa alumni Scott Beck (BA ’07, communication studies) and Bryan Woods (BA ’07, communication studies)—both natives of Bettendorf, Iowa—can add a blockbuster opening weekend to their résumés. The duo co-wrote A Quiet Place, which they conceived while they were students at the UI. The movie, starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, topped the box office in its opening weekend, setting a record for original films released in April.

Beck and Woods sat down at FilmScene in Iowa City to discuss their moments of inspiration while at the University of Iowa, and the supportive network of UI alumni they've encountered during their filmmaking endeavors.