For over fifty years, the American Film Institute has flourished as one of America's great cultural entities. Its graduates, faculty, supporters, and trustees have included such acclaimed individuals as Steven Spielberg, Maya Angelou, Gregory Peck, Meryl Streep, Les Moonves, Patty Jenkins, David Lynch, Jane Fonda, Edward James Olmos, Shonda Rhimes, James L. Brooks, Michael Nesmith, Sir Howard Stringer, and many other respected leaders in the worlds of film, television, digital media, and philanthropy.

Written in a unique memoir style, Becoming AFI: 50 Years Inside the American Film Institute offers a candid look at how this remarkable organization has brought together aspiring filmmakers, outstanding educators, and visionary artists. The book details AFI's journey to becoming the foremost national champion for moving images as a vibrant art form and a critical component of America's cultural history.

AFI's story is chronicled through in-depth essays written by those who have been involved in its adventures, growth, and successes: from its early years under George Stevens Jr.'s direction at the legendary Greystone mansion and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; through its period of incredible growth, under Jean Picker Firstenberg's guidance, as an influential cultural institution at its landmark Hollywood campus; to its continued years of excellence under Bob Gazzale's dynamic leadership.

Becoming AFI provides an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at how AFI-with passionate determination-overcame the hurdles of advancing technology, political shifts, and new audience dynamics to turn its aspirations into a substantial and highly successful organization. A tireless advocate of moving images as one of America's most popular art forms, AFI is maturing into one of the world's most respected educational and cultural institutions.

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

50 Years of AFI: A Timeline

Chapter 1: The Launch
To Begin at the Beginning
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 2: Next Steps
AFI in 1980: A New Decade, A New Director, A New Home
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 3: Film Education
Training the Next Generation: From Center for Advanced Film Studies to the AFI Conservatory
by James Hindman


Chapter 4: Women in Charge
AFI Directing Workshop for Women: Give Them a Chance
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 5: Financial Realities
AFI Funding: Growing Up and Standing Tall
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 6: Film Preservation
Finding America's Film History
by Jean Picker Firstenberg

The Final Word: AFI Catalog of Feature Films
by Patricia King Hanson


Chapter 7: Technology's Influence
As the World Turns: From Video to the Digital Revolution
by James Hindman

Large Screen to Small Screen: AFI Enters the Video Age
by Larry Kirkman

AFI Introduces Apple to Creatives
by Emily Laskin

AFI and the Digital World
by Nick DeMartino


Chapter 8: Exhibition
AFI's Commitment to the Silver Screen: As Films Are Meant to Be Seen
by Jean Picker Firstenberg

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: 21st Century Exhibition Vision
by James Hindman


Chapter 9: Developing a Public Vision
American Film Magazine
by Jean Picker Firstenberg

AFI Productions
by James Hindman


Chapter 10: Major Moments
Landmarks in AFI's Identity
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 11: Leadership
Ensuring the Future: The Role of AFI's Board of Trustees
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 12: Today's AFI
To 50 and Beyond
by Jean Picker Firstenberg


Chapter 13: Themes and Lessons
Looking Back to Look Forward
by James Hindman


Appendix
AFI Trustees

AFI Conservatory Mission, Core Values, Objectives and Commitments

AFI Conservatory Honorary Degree Recipients

Acknowledgments

About the Authors and Contributors