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Curriculum Planning and Review Committee Meeting: 2/5/2003

01/31/07

Curriculum Planning and Review Committee Meeting        
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003  
9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Ahmanson Room, Mayer Library

MINUTES

Attending: Gill Dennis, Bill Dill, Sam Grogg, , jj Jackman,  Phil Linson, Bob MacDonald, Deszo Magyar, Steve Mazur, Lynn Mazzucchi, Jawal Nga,
Larry Paull, Joe Petricca, Carolyn Pfeiffer, Sheila Sullivan, Caroline Sisneros, Carl Smith

Absent: Dustin Lyle

I.    Announcements and Calendar

Sam Grogg announced that next week there will be two evenings of thesis project screenings at ArcLight.  Grogg urged everyone to attend.  He distributed programs from the screenings on Jan. 13th and 14th.  (See attached.)  Grogg also announced that spring break will occur the week of April 14th and that commencement will be on June 11th.  Grogg distributed an updated Conservatory Calendar.  (See attached.)  He also announced that the deadline for screenplays to be submitted for thesis consideration is April 4th.   

Bill Dill announced that this year one half of the ASC awards went to AFI Fellows.

Phil Linson stated that this year two out of three finalists for the ACE awards are from AFI.

Sam Grogg reported that at the CBAC meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4th, the directing program was discussed and that a very productive discussion had ensued.

II.    Administrative Matters

A. Registrar Report

Lynn Mazzucchi announced that there are about thirty 2nd Year Fellows who have not enrolled for the spring term.  She said that the situation is being dealt with.


B. Admissions Report

JJ Jackman reported that five hundred and nine applications have been received so far.  The Producing and the Production Design deadlines have been extended.  Jackman also stated that the trip to Sundance was very successful in furthering interest in AFI.  In April Jackman will be attending a conference of admission professionals in New Orleans.

C. Library Report

Caroline Sisneros reported that the library is operating smoothly.

Joe Petricca stated that he was working with Sisneros to create more space on the second floor of the library.

D. Conservatory Programs Report

Sheila Sullivan stated that the spring term has begun and classes are off to a good start.  Sullivan reported that the staged readings are in the process of being organized.  She also indicated that during the Conservatory Weeks some of the Fellows were very casual about attending classes.  Too often Fellows felt there would be no consequences if they didn’t attend class.  Phil Linson reported that there was a very low attendance for the Creative Use of Sound class.  Carolyn Pfeiffer suggested the need for public relations regarding classes such as the one in Sound.  Sam Grogg stated that faculty may give alternate work for the thesis classes, but that the courses cannot just be shrugged off.  Sullivan said that how to deal with the attendance situation is being discussed.

E. General Administrative Matters

Joe Petricca reminded everyone that this is a very tight budgetary year.  He also asked to be informed about software or other items that will be needed for the next fiscal year.  Petricca also asked that discussions not take place with the faculty or potential faculty members regarding compensation.  This creates confusion.  Petrricca further stated that faculty should not discuss contractual items with Fellows.  Petricca also mentioned that there have been guest speakers who have not as yet invoiced his office.  Sam Grogg said to please talk to Petricca if anyone is thinking of inviting a guest speaker to AFI.




III.    Curriculum Matters

A. Thesis Curriculum

Sam Grogg distributed a document entitled “AFI Conservatory, The Year Two Thesis Production.”  (See attached.)  Grogg said this document outlines the thesis production process as it now exists.  It was put together to allow the mentors of the thesis workshops to fully understand the process of which they are such an integral part.  Grogg mentioned that everyone who teaches the workshops should be in close communication with each other.  Gill Dennis announced that he is asking each  thesis team to write a report regarding the various workshop classes.  Each report includes an evaluation of what works and what does not in each workshop.  Sam Grogg stated that after the spring break the thesis process and the document will again be discussed.  At that time any necessary changes will be made both to the process and to the document.

B. Recent Curriculum Changes and Proposals

Sam Grogg distributed an addendum to the AFI Conservatory Handbook and Bulletin entitled “Revised and Updated Curricular Tables.”  (See attached.)  Grogg mentioned that there are changes in both the Production Design and Producing course lists and that these changes are reflected in the new curricular tables.  

Sheila Sullivan stated that SCR690 is the number for the upcoming staged readings.

Grogg also distributed a memorandum regarding the Richard H. Frank symposia on the future of television.  (See attached.)  This pertains to a proposal by AFI Board member Richard Frank regarding expanding the AFI Conservatory’s attention on the world of television.  Grogg mentioned that the faculty has been asked to study the proposal.  The program launch will be three seminars regarding television during the spring term.

Phil Linson stated that visual effects have not been sufficiently addressed in the AFI Conservatory curriculum.  He proposed a series of interdisciplinary classes in this area.  Sam Grogg stated that every director, producer, editor and cinematographer should have a basic knowledge of visual effects and effects terminology.  He stated that it would be a good idea to start with a couple of presentations regarding effects for 2nd Year Fellows.



Steve Mazur stated that the Screenwriting faculty met and developed three proposals: 1. Eliminate rewriting 1st Year projects in the 2nd Year.
2. There should be a better separation of the Arts and Crafts class and the Thesis class and the projects discussed in each.
3. There is often a rush to get the second screenplay finished during the 2nd Year.  It is proposed that the requirement be that two screenplays be started during the 2nd year but that only one has to be polished.   

IV.    Production/Post Production Matters

A. First Year Production Matters

Phil Linson reported that 1st Year production is in full swing and going well.  The first Narrative Workshop for cycle 2 begins on Friday, Feb. 7th.

B. Second Year Production Matters

Dezso Magyar stated that there are still some 2nd Year thesis projects that need to be shaped up.  These loose strands are being tied up.

Phil Linson stated that thirteen thesis projects have shot so far this year.  We are therefore at the half way point.

V.    Fellows Matters

A. Fellows Representatives’ Reports

Jawal Nga reported that Tom Mount from RKO was a stimulating guest in the Producing class on Tuesday, Feb. 4th.  Nga also commented on the success of Robert Kaplan’s class.  He suggested that some of the issues which Kaplan covers in his 2nd Year class could be dealt with in the 1st Year Producing class.  Sam Grogg responded that this year Kaplan has already met with the 1st Year Producers more than last year.  

B. Fellows’ Matters – Executive Session

Sam Grogg spoke of the importance of progress reports.  Documentation is of the utmost importance when dealing with Fellow issues.

Grogg thanked the committee.  The meeting was adjourned.

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