Third Episode of AFI’S MASTER CLASS - THE ART OF COLLABORATION: Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess

This January, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and the American Film Institute (AFI) will continue their series of specials exploring some of the greatest artistic collaborations in film. In the series’ third installment, TCM PRESENTS: AFI’S MASTER CLASS – THE ART OF COLLABORATION: Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess, the two men discuss their work together in front of an audience comprised of AFI Fellows studying filmmaking at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. The special will premiere Monday, January 14, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. (ET), only on TCM.

Oscar^®-winning director Robert Zemeckis and Oscar^®-nominated cinematographer Don Burgess began working together more than two decades ago and, since then, their collaborations have been nothing short of remarkable. Together they have created such acclaimed films as FORREST GUMP (1994), the Academy Award^®-winning story of a simple man’s life through decades of U.S. history; the Oscar^®-nominated sci-fi thriller CONTACT (1997), adapted from Carl Sagan’s book about an astronomer’s discovery of extra-terrestrial intelligence; the Oscar^®-nominated CAST AWAY (2000), a tale of a man’s journey home after being stranded on a deserted island; and their latest film, FLIGHT (2012), an action-packed mystery thriller about a seasoned airline pilot’s struggles after his miraculous crash landing.

In the new AFI special, the two men discuss their many collaborations and how the art of visual storytelling plays into each film. They also discuss films that have inspired them, including CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1971), THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), THE GODFATHER (1972) and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962). AFI’S MASTER CLASS is packed with clips from these films, as well as memorable scenes from the artists’ own movies.

TCM will follow this latest edition of AFI’S MASTER CLASS with a TCM premiere presentation of the Zemeckis and Burgess film, WHAT LIES BENEATH (2000), starring Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer and Katharine Towne, at 9:00 p.m. (ET) and an encore of the special at 11:30 p.m. (ET).

The following is TCM’s complete schedule for the night of January 14 (all times Eastern):

8:00 p.m. –TCM PRESENTS: AFI’S MASTER CLASS – THE ART OF COLLABORATION: Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess (premiere)9:00 p.m. –WHAT LIES BENEATH (2000)11:30 p.m. –TCM PRESENTS: AFI’S MASTER CLASS – THE ART OF COLLABORATION: Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess (encore)12:30 a.m. –CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1971)2:15 a.m. –TCM PRESENTS: AFI’S MASTER CLASS – THE ART OF COLLABORATION: Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess (encore)

15 November Permalink

AFI Conservatory Alumni in the News – August 2012 Recap

So many of our AFI Alumni have been recognized over the past month on their work and accomplishments!

NBC has acquired an hour-long romantic comedy, tentatively titled CYRANO penned by Michael Palmer (AFI Class of 1999).

Dimension Films has acquired ANGRY LITTLE GOD for US Distribution. AFI Class of 2004 alum Daniel Stamm directed the film.

Warner Brothers has acquired a script from Vera Blasi (AFI Class of 1991) titled PONTIUS PILATE which follows the life of Lucius Pontius Pilate from his beginnings as “the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious solider.”

An interview with Cinematographer Robert Elswit (AFI Class of 1977) regarding his work on THE BOURNE LEGACY.

Pete Villani (AFI Class of 2004) was named one of eight honorees for the Emerging Cinematographer Awards named by the International Cinematographers Guild.

AFI Alumni director Thymaya Payne (AFI Class of 2006) won the Boccalino D’oro (independent critics award) at the Locarno Film Festival for his documentary on Somali pirates STOLEN SEAS.

Directing Workshop For Women alumna Rachel Goldberg (Class of 2010), has shared the news that her short film NEIGHBORS has received First Place for the Alternative Spirit Award from the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and will screen on Friday, September 21 in Los Angeles at the Sunset Gower Studios as part of the NewFilmmakers LA Film series.

Directing Workshop For Women alumna Hanelle Culpepper (Class of 2002) directed an episode of 90210 this month, which featured Olympian Ryan Lochte.

And finally, be sure to check out this interview with Karen Maruyama, a member of the AFI Conservatory Directing Faculty, on her role Jay Roach’s THE CAMPAIGN.

Congratulations to all!

24 August 4 Permalink

AFI Conservatory Alum Ben Kitchens Honored by The American Society of Cinematographers

Congratulations to AFI Conservatory alum Ben Kitchens! He has received an Honorable Mention for his Cinematography on AFI Alum film NARCOCORRIDO from The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)! 

A ceremony announcing the winners in each category was held at the ASC Clubhouse on June 16. The awards are designed to showcase the artistic abilities of the next generation of filmmakers, with a focus on their cinematographic abilities.

(AFI Alumni)

19 June Permalink

AFI Alums Launch New YouTube Channel WIGS

There is some exciting new content from AFI Conservatory alums Jon Avnet (AFI Class of 1972) (BLACK SWAN, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, RISKY BUSINESS and Rodrigo Garcia (AFI Class of 1986) (ALBERT NOBBS, IN TREATMENT, MOTHER AND CHILD) on YouTube. The two have joined forces to create and launch WIGS, an innovative digital channel producing high-end, original, scripted dramatic series and short films about the lives of women.

The channel is one of the first brand new high-end channels to come to YouTube, which advanced funds for the top series’ production and pledged $200 million to market them.

The digital channel’s premiere series, JAN is written and directed by Jon Avnet, and stars Caitlin Gerard, Virginia Madsen and Stephen Moyer. The series SERENA also launched, written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia and edited by Julie Janata (AFI Class of 1981). The web series stars Jennifer Garner and Alfred Molina.

Episodes of JAN and SERENA as well as Behind-The-Scenes content and additional trailers, are all available now at youtube.com/wigs.

23 May 1 Permalink