Becoming AFI: 50 Years Inside the American Film Institute

Jean Picker Firstenberg served as president and CEO of the American Film Institute from 1980 to 2007, overseeing the development of AFI as one of Americäs greatest national, cultural, and educational resources. She received an AFI Life Achievement Award for Service to the Institute and was named president emerita and a lifetime trustee.In 2016, Firstenberg was named to the California State University Board of Trustees by Governor Jerry Brown, overseeing the largest four-year public university system in the United States, with twenty-three campuses educating the most diverse student body in the nation. Prior to serving at AFI, Firstenberg spent four years as a program officer at the John and Mary R. Markle Foundation. She also served as director of Princeton University¿s Publications Office.Firstenberg is a summa cum laude graduate of Boston University¿s College of Communications. She has served on several boards, including that of Boston University (1984¿1996), the George Foster Peabody Awards at Georgia University (1985¿1997; board chair 1991¿1997); and the United States Postal Service Citizens¿ Stamp Advisory Committee (2002¿2014; committee chair 2008¿2014). She has won numerous awards and honorary degrees.

For over fifty years, the American Film Institute has flourished as one of Americäs great cultural entities. Its graduates, faculty, supporters, and trustees have included such acclaimed individuals as Steven Spielberg, Maya Angelou, Gregory Peck, Meryl Streep, Les Moonves, Patty Jenkins, David Lynch, Jane Fonda, Edward James Olmos, Shonda Rhimes, James L. Brooks, Michael Nesmith, Sir Howard Stringer, and many other respected leaders in the worlds of film, television, digital media, and philanthropy.Written in a unique memoir style, Becoming AFI: 50 Years Inside the American Film Institute offers a candid look at how this remarkable organization has brought together aspiring filmmakers, outstanding educators, and visionary artists. The book details AFI¿s journey to becoming the foremost national champion for moving images as a vibrant art form and a critical component of Americäs cultural history.AFI¿s story is chronicled through in-depth essays written by those who have been involved in its adventures, growth, and successes: from its early years under George Stevens Jr.¿s direction at the legendary Greystone mansion and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; through its period of incredible growth, under Jean Picker Firstenberg¿s guidance, as an influential cultural institution at its landmark Hollywood campus; to its continued years of excellence under Bob Gazzale¿s dynamic leadership.Becoming AFI provides an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at how AFI¿with passionate determination¿overcame the hurdles of advancing technology, political shifts, and new audience dynamics to turn its aspirations into a substantial and highly successful organization. A tireless advocate of moving images as one of Americäs most popular art forms, AFI is maturing into one of the world¿s most respected educational and cultural institutions.

ForewordPrefaceIntroduction50 Years of AFI: A TimelineChapter 1: The LaunchTo Begin at the Beginningby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 2: Next StepsAFI in 1980: A New Decade, A New Director, A New Homeby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 3: Film EducationTraining the Next Generation: From Center for Advanced Film Studies to the AFI Conservatoryby James HindmanChapter 4: Women in ChargeAFI Directing Workshop for Women: Give Them a Chanceby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 5: Financial RealitiesAFI Funding: Growing Up and Standing Tallby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 6: Film PreservationFinding Americäs Film Historyby Jean Picker FirstenbergThe Final Word: AFI Catalog of Feature Filmsby Patricia King HansonChapter 7: Technology¿s InfluenceAs the World Turns: From Video to the Digital Revolutionby James HindmanLarge Screen to Small Screen: AFI Enters the Video Ageby Larry KirkmanAFI Introduces Apple to Creativesby Emily LaskinAFI and the Digital Worldby Nick DeMartinoChapter 8: ExhibitionAFI¿s Commitment to the Silver Screen: As Films Are Meant to Be Seenby Jean Picker FirstenbergAFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: 21st Century Exhibition Visionby James HindmanChapter 9: Developing a Public VisionAmerican Film Magazineby Jean Picker FirstenbergAFI Productionsby James HindmanChapter 10: Major MomentsLandmarks in AFI¿s Identityby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 11: LeadershipEnsuring the Future: The Role of AFI¿s Board of Trusteesby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 12: Today¿s AFITo 50 and Beyondby Jean Picker FirstenbergChapter 13: Themes and LessonsLooking Back to Look Forwardby James HindmanAppendixAFI TrusteesAFI Conservatory Mission, Core Values, Objectives and CommitmentsAFI Conservatory Honorary Degree RecipientsAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors and Contributors