AFI Conservatory

The AFI Conservatory is a private, non-profit graduate film school in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. It offers a special place for students, called Fellows, to learn from experienced professionals. The school teaches students how to tell great stories through film.

Founded in 1969, the AFI Conservatory is part of the American Film Institute. It helps students work closely with experts in filmmaking, giving them hands-on experience. This prepares them for jobs in the world of movies.

History

The AFI Conservatory started on September 23, 1969, at Greystone Mansion. Actor Harold Lloyd showed his movie The Freshman to the students on the first day. The first class included famous filmmakers like Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel, and Paul Schrader.

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, also taught there. In 2013, director James L. Brooks became the artistic director. Today, Susan Ruskin is 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. Films made by students have been nominated for Academy Awards and have won two of them.

Academics

Rankings

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

Conservatory Program

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

Cinematography - Students learn to tell stories with different cameras.

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

Editing - Students practice editing films to help tell the story.

Producing - Students learn to make movies, including a longer final project.

Production Design - This area focuses on designing movie settings.

Screenwriting - Students write stories for movies, TV shows, and web series.

Faculty

The AFI Conservatory has teachers who are professionals working in the film industry.

Seminars

The Harold Lloyd Master Seminar series brings students together with experienced filmmakers.

Alumni

See also: Category:AFI Conservatory alumni

The AFI Conservatory has helped many students become successful filmmakers. Some famous graduates include:

• Andrea Arnold (known for American Honey and Fish Tank),
• Darren Aronofsky (known for Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan),
• 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 and Little Children),
• Jack Fisk (known for Badlands and Days of Heaven),
• Scott Frank (known for Out of Sight and Logan),
• Carl Franklin (known for One False Move and Devil in a Blue Dress),
• 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 and Schindler's List),
• Matthew Libatique (known for Noah and Black Swan),
• David Lynch (known for Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet),
• Terrence Malick (known for Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line),
• John McTiernan (known for Predator and Die Hard),
• 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 and The Dark Knight),
• Robert Richardson (known for Platoon and JFK),
• Ron Underwood (known for Tremors and City Slickers).