AFI Conservatory

The AFI Conservatory is a private, non-profit graduate film school located in the Hollywood Hills district of Los Angeles. It offers a special learning environment where students, known as Fellows, can learn from experienced professionals. The school focuses on teaching students how to tell great stories through film.

Founded in 1969, the AFI Conservatory is part of the American Film Institute. It provides a collaborative and hands-on approach to film production, allowing students to work closely with masters in the industry. This unique setting helps prepare students for careers in the exciting world of filmmaking.

History

The Center for Advanced Film Studies, later called the AFI Conservatory, began on September 23, 1969, at Greystone Mansion. On the first day, actor and filmmaker Harold Lloyd showed his movie The Freshman and talked with the students, known as Fellows. The first class included famous filmmakers like Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel, and Paul Schrader.

Over the years, many talented filmmakers have worked with students at the Conservatory. In 1973, John Cassavetes helped students while editing his film A Woman Under the Influence. In 1975, Ján Kadár, who won an Oscar for The Shop on Main Street, also joined as a teacher. In 2013, famous director James L. Brooks, known for movies like As Good as It Gets and Broadcast News, became the artistic director, guiding the film program. Today, Susan Ruskin serves as the dean of the AFI Conservatory.

The AFI Conservatory has honored many famous people, such as Maya Angelou, composer John Williams, and director Spike Lee, with special degrees during graduation ceremonies. Films made by students at the Conservatory have been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and have won two of them.

Academics

Rankings

In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter named AFI as the top film school in the United States.

Conservatory Program

The AFI Conservatory offers a five-term Master of Fine Arts program with six different areas of study:

Cinematography - Students learn how to create stories using different cameras, from digital video to film cameras.

Directing - This area teaches how to guide actors and turn a written story into a movie.

Editing - Students practice the skills needed to edit films and help create the story through editing.

Producing - Students learn how to make movies, creating short films and a longer final project.

Production Design - This area focuses on designing the looks and settings of movies.

Screenwriting - Students write many different kinds of stories, including movies, TV shows, and web series.

Faculty

The AFI Conservatory has teachers who are professionals working in the film industry, such as directors, writers, editors, and more.

Seminars

The Harold Lloyd Master Seminar series brings students together with experienced filmmakers to share ideas and learn from each other.

Alumni

See also: Category:AFI Conservatory alumni

The AFI Conservatory has helped over 5,000 students become successful filmmakers. Some well-known graduates include:

• Andrea Arnold (known for American Honey, Fish Tank, and Big Little Lies),
• Darren Aronofsky (known for Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and mother!),
• Ari Aster (known for Hereditary and Midsommar),
• Julie Dash (known for Daughters of the Dust),
• Sam Esmail (known for Mr. Robot),
• Todd Field (known for In the Bedroom, Little Children, and Tár),
• Jack Fisk (known for Badlands, Days of Heaven, and There Will Be Blood),
• Scott Frank (known for Out of Sight and Logan),
• Carl Franklin (known for One False Move, Devil in a Blue Dress, and House of Cards),
• Liz Hannah (known for The Post),
• Amy Heckerling (known for Clueless and Fast Times at Ridgemont High),
• Patty Jenkins (known for Monster and Wonder Woman),
• Janusz Kamiński (known for Lincoln, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan),
• Matthew Libatique (known for Noah and Black Swan),
• David Lynch (known for Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet),
• Terrence Malick (known for Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, and The Tree of Life),
• John McTiernan (known for Predator, Die Hard, and The Hunt for Red October),
• LaToya Morgan (known for Duster and The Walking Dead),
• Rachel Morrison (known for Mudbound and Black Panther),
• Victor Nuñez (known for Ruby in Paradise and Ulee's Gold),
• Wally Pfister (known for Memento, The Dark Knight, and Inception),
• Robert Richardson (known for Platoon, JFK, and Django Unchained),
• Ron Underwood (known for Tremors, City Slickers, and Heart and Souls).