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Conservatory - CBAC Meeting: 5/30/2006

05/30/06

Conservatory Board Advisory Committee

Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Ahmanson Room, Mayer Library
12:00 – 2:00p.m.

In Attendance

Board Members: Jon Avnet, Roger Birnbaum, Jeremy Kagan, Frank Spotnitz, Joe Pichirallo

AFI Staff/Faculty: Neil Canton, Gill Dennis, Jonathan Estrin, Jean Picker Firstenberg, Joe Garrity, Stephen Lighthill, Phil Linson, Robert Mandel, Lynn Mazzucchi, Jim McBride, Joe Petricca, Frank Pierson, Louis Provost (Fellows Rep), Leonard Schrader, Caroline Sisneros, Sheila Sullivan

MINUTES

Welcome/ Approval of Minutes

Jon Avnet called the meeting to order and introduced Roger Birnbaum, the newest board member. Minutes from the last meeting were approved.

Jean Picker Firstenberg stated that she attended the closing meeting of the DWW 20th cycle group last Friday and was very proud of the participants. She said it was a very moving experience for her and for all who were involved this year. She expressed her gratitude to Joe Petricca, Nichol Simmons and Chris Schwartz for their efforts. Firstenberg added that Sian Heder, a DWW alum, won third prize at the Cannes Short Film Festival.

Firstenberg stressed that the following statement be recorded in the CBAC minutes: "When asked, the DWW participants said unanimously that Lesli Linka Glatter was their favorite faculty member."

Firstenberg stated that AFI continues to work with the University of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She mentioned that Amy Pascal sponsored this year's Scholarship Reception held at Sony. Faculty, staff, donors and recipients were in attendance. She stated that this is busy time for AFI with the approaching Life Achievement Award honoring Sir Sean Connery and the upcoming program of America's most inspiring movies (AFI's 100 Cheers).

Avnet introduced Frank Spotnitz to the Committee and welcomed him to his first CBAC meeting/luncheon.

Bob Mandel announced that three AFI thesis films recently won Student Emmy Awards: DUNCAN REMOVED, LEFT AT THE RIO GRANDE and TROJAN COW. He added that a number of AFI Screenwriting Fellows had scripts optioned and/or took meetings with agencys after the Conservatory's Screenwriting Showcase. Mandel announced that the Production Design Showcase will be on the Sound Stage from May 30th to June 7th and the Conservatory Showcase will be held at Harmony Gold Theatre. Mandel thanked David Nicksay, Roger Birnbaum and Joe Pichirallo for their help with the Conservatory's end of the year interviews with the Fellows and for the internship possibilities they have provided. Jonathan Estrin asked if the Conservatory was looking into a creative producing internship program. Mandel said that Producing and Screenwriting Fellows will do script coverage, and Directing Fellows have already shadowed directors on CRIMINAL MINDS and the WEST WING. Louis Provost said that he shadowed Lesli Linka Glatter and stressed that she was very helpful. He added that he had interned at Paramount over the summer and that they were flexible and helpful as well. Mandel stated that Susan Baerwald is in charge of internships at the Conservatory. Roger Birnbaum offered Ivan Oyko as an intern contact. Avnet offered Olgelsbee as an intern contact. Joe Garrity asked if there were any Production Design Internships available; none were mentioned.

Joe Petricca said the Conservatory received 587 applications for the 2006-2007 year. There was an increase in female applicants (40% female, 60% male) and an increase in Asian applicants. The one thousand dollar deposit is still required to confirm enrollment. Eighty percent of those accepted to the program have confirmed. Kagan asked if there was a change in average age or location of applicants. Petricca said that there was not a substantial change. He added that outreach through advertising and word of mouth is expanding. Jeremy Kagan asked if the Fellows' goals are to be major players in the profession. Petricca said yes. Mandel said that the Fellows would much rather submit to festivals than get CAA representation and that their films have more of an edge due to festival demands. Kagan asked if any of the Fellows show interest in television. Mandel said that the majority of them want to make film. Kagan said that attitude must be hard to sway. Avnet said that things are becoming more independent. Mandel agreed and said that the Fellows are using the skills they learned financing their thesis films to finance Independent features. Joe Pichirallo said that Fellows are showing more interest in television in his class. He stressed that Fellows should know that they can work in television while also working independently. Kagan said that two cameras are essential for television. Mandel added that the Conservatory has already taught a class on using two cameras for television.

Mandel announced that there have been some changes in the Conservatory. A Dramatic Structure class has been added and will be taught by six members of the screenwriting faculty. A Visual Effects class has been added for Cinematographers, Production Designers with plans to expand it to Directors and Producers. A Creative Producing class taught by Robert Cort will also be added. Once a week visits to dramatic television sets (THE WEST WING, CRIMINAL MINDS), will give Fellows a better grasp of two camera blocking. A Faculty liaison to the Alumni office will be appointed.

Avnet said that the AFI website does not have much information on Alumni and is not user friendly. He suggested that the AFI website capture more excitement. Pichirallo said that internship possibilities should be advertised on the website. Avnet added that the website should include a list of previous interns. Mandel said that Patty Meyer will work with Susan Baerwald on internship possibilities. Pichirallo asked if there was a class on television writing. Mandel said yes. Kagan asked if there is a class on acting in the program. Mandel said there is currently a class on acting for Screenwriters and Directors that will eventually open up to Producers. Mandel added that there is also an improvisational acting and an elective of advanced acting for
Second Year Directors.

Petricca announced that he and Lynn Mazzucchi recently attended a WASC conference on accreditation in Irvine. He said that the new AFI self-study is approximately 35 pages in length and is currently in the first draft stage. The NASAD and WASC self-studies are both due November 9th of this year.

The AFI Cycle Film entitled WWI was shown to the Committee.

Jim McBride said that the Fellows have a growing sense of how to tell a story and that they are working with better actors now. Gill Dennis confirmed this and added that he thinks the applicants to the Conservatory improve every year.

Frank Spotnitz requested a document containing the Conservatory's curriculum.

Avnet thanked the committee for their participation, and the meeting was adjourned.

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