Becoming AFI

For over fifty years, the American Film Institute has flourished as one of America's 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 America s 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 America s most popular art forms, AFI is maturing into one of the world s most respected educational and cultural institutions.

For over fifty years, the American Film Institute has flourished as one of America’s 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 styleBecoming 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 America’s 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 America’s most popular art forms, AFI is maturing into one of the world’s most respected educational and cultural institutions.

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

50 Years of AFI: A Timeline

Chapter 1: The Launch To Begin at the Beginning by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 2: Next Steps AFI in 1980: A New Decade, A New Director, A New Home by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 3: Film Education Training the Next Generation: From Center for Advanced Film Studies to the AFI Conservatory by James Hindman

Chapter 4: Women in Charge AFI Directing Workshop for Women: Give Them a Chance by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 5: Financial Realities AFI Funding: Growing Up and Standing Tall by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 6: Film Preservation Finding America’s Film History by Jean Picker Firstenberg

The Final Word: AFI Catalog of Feature Films by Patricia King Hanson

Chapter 7: Technology’s Influence As the World Turns: From Video to the Digital Revolution by James Hindman

Large Screen to Small Screen: AFI Enters the Video Age by Larry Kirkman AFI Introduces Apple to Creatives by Emily Laskin

AFI and the Digital World by Nick DeMartino

Chapter 8: Exhibition AFI’s Commitment to the Silver Screen: As Films Are Meant to Be Seen by Jean Picker Firstenberg

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: 21st Century Exhibition Vision by James Hindman

Chapter 9: Developing a Public Vision American Film Magazine by Jean Picker Firstenberg

AFI Productions by James Hindman

Chapter 10: Major Moments Landmarks in AFI’s Identity by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 11: Leadership Ensuring the Future: The Role of AFI’s Board of Trustees by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 12: Today’s AFI To 50 and Beyond by Jean Picker Firstenberg

Chapter 13: Themes and Lessons Looking Back to Look Forward by James Hindman

Appendix AFI Trustees
AFI Conservatory Mission, Core Values, Objectives and Commitments
AFI Conservatory Honorary Degree Recipients

Acknowledgments

About the Authors and Contributors