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Curriculum Planning and Review Committee Meeting: 9/29/2004

01/31/07

Curriculum Planning and Review Committee Meeting        
Wednesday, September 29, 2004  
9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Ahmanson Room, Mayer Library

MINUTES

Attending: Neil Canton, Sam Grogg,  jj Jackman, Peter Markham, Rob Spera, Joe Petricca, Betsy Pollock, Leonard Schrader, Caroline Sisneros, Phil Linson, Lynn Mazzucchi, Carl Smith, Sheila Sullivan

I.    Announcements and Calendar

Sam Grogg welcomed everybody to the first CPRC meeting of the 2004-2005 Conservatory Year.  

Grogg distributed the Conservatory Calendar and reminded the Committee to be aware of important dates on the calendar. He also talked about the success of the AFI Showcase and asked if there were any comments on the event.
 
Joe Petricca stated that the Showcase was standing room only and that reps and agents were asking him to arrange meetings with Fellows.

Grogg spoke about the Screenwriting Pitch Night that was held September 2nd.
He explained about the event and added that it was very successful. The Screenwriters thanked the faculty for the evening. Grogg wants to repeat the Pitch night next year and then he asked the Committee for any comments. Sheila Sullivan said that the Fellows need to improve on their pitches. She said that some Fellows told her that they had a limited amount of time to prepare for pitches.
Sam commented that he had implemented classes in the summer regarding pitching and preparation for the Pitchfest, but there was a low attendance rate.

Sam stated that he would add the WASC Proposal to the next meetings agenda. The Committee will talk about Re-Accreditation. The meeting will be scheduled for the 2nd week of October. Sam also stated that December 13th is the deadline for Conservatory Applications to 2005-2006.


II.    Administrative Matters and Updates


A. General Administration and Faculty Support

Joe Petricca talked about the recent reorganization of Conservatory staff In addition; he talked about the new Teaching Assistant Positions and the importance of their duties.  He also said that the relationship between the Fellows and Faculty has been very positive.

B. Registrar Office

Lynn Mazzucchi passed out the AFIC Enrollment numbers sheet and the Fellows phone list.

Sam Grogg talked about the Enrollment Sheet and added that 2nd Year class had a greater attrition rate than the previous class. He also said that the Producing Discipline is down four Producers.

Lynn asked Carl to talk about the International Fellows. Carl Smith said the Fellows need to plan their time better in getting Visas Before the School year begins.
Carl told the Committee to contact him with any problems involving the International Fellows.

Lynn Mazzucchi read an article in USA Today about International student enrollment. It stated that the enrollment is getting lower and that foreign schools are competing with American schools. Grogg stated that there has been a dip in International applications for a few years.



C. Fellows Affairs

Sheila Sullivan talked about a meeting she will have with I.T. concerning an on-line page for Fellow services. It will consist of a list of contact numbers for various types of services and resources to help the Fellows with a broad spectrum of issues. Sheila said that it will be up and running in late October.

Sam Grogg suggested that a staff member should check out the resources to insure legitimacy. He also suggested that we add the appropriate disclaimers to the online page.


D. Production and SDAC

Betsy Pollock stated that Boot Camp went well and the Fellows learned a lot from the exercises Sheila Sullivan stated that the Screenings of Boot Camp projects were very interesting. Sheila was impressed with the story content and scenes.

Len Schrader commented on this year’s class being more anxious to start, and last year’s class being more passive. He also stated that giving the Fellows a few extra days to team was very beneficial.


Betsy and Sam both agreed that starting a week earlier made a big difference in the quality of the cycle projects. Betsy also mentioned that the Screenwriters are turning out great cycle projects.

In reference to the Producing Discipline, Betsy said that the 24 Producers seem to be strong. She also stated that there needs to be something done about attrition when going into Boot Camp.

Phil Linson stated that Boot Camp went well with relation to SDAC. In addition, he said that the 24HP class went well and was informative.




E. Admissions

Sam Grogg passed out the Application Statistics

JJ Jackman said that he’s been getting dozens of emails and phone calls about information on AFI .He mentioned that the new AFI catalog is online. JJ talked about upcoming recruitment trips to Chicago, Dallas and D.C. He pointed out that there has been shortage of Producing Applicants and the need for more Production Design applicants. In addition, he said there needs to be more diversity in recruitment.

Peter Markham noted that there was a decline in International applicants for directing. JJ responded by saying the reason was the high cost of education and the quality of applicants.

Stephen Lighthill inquired about the Cinematography applicants and JJ told him that the percentage had dropped. Then Stephen said that he would help with the recruitment of more Cinematography applicants.

Caroline Sisneros asked about how much of the decline is attributed to our competition. Sheila Sullivan suggested that we should have a better and more unique marketing strategy. Len Schrader suggested that we improve our advertising. He gave an example; “AFI does not make Film Scholars, but Filmmakers.
  
F. Library and Information Resources

Caroline Sisneros stated that everything was proceeding smoothly in the library.


II.    The Make up of the Incoming Class and Retention Updates

JJ Jackman passed out the Conservatory Demographics.

Sam Grogg said that there was a change in female enrollment from last year. He also mentioned about getting more diverse cultures at AFI. Sam also said that AFI is losing Fellows in the 2nd year because of financial reasons, job opportunities or not being invited back into the program.
Grogg suggested to the Faculty that they should support the decision making of Fellows in regard to staying in the program for its’ entirety.
Grogg suggested that AFI needs more orientation to the 2nd Year program for all disciplines.

Sheila Sullivan said that the Screenwriting program is getting better with the Faculty teaching together and hearing comments from the Fellows.

II.    Fellows Engagement Survey Results

Sam Grogg talked about the Fellows Engagement Survey Results. He said that the survey was conducted to develop more information regarding how and to what extent AFI Fellows are truly engaged in the learning experience of the AFI Conservatory. Grogg also mentioned that two-thirds of the class responded to the survey.

Sam told the Committee that the survey should be used in a constructive manner. He also said that the information would be shared with the accrediting body.

Jim McBride asked how the survey was distributed. Sam said that some surveys were mailed and others were given out at school.



IV. WASC Re-accreditation Review-Institutional Proposal Update

Sam Grogg passed out copies of the WASC action letter and asked committee to read the letter for comments and suggestions.
 

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