April News
Meet Adrianne Chivers, the AFI Conservatory’s New Alumni Affairs Manager
The AFI Conservatory is proud to welcome Adrianne Chivers as the new Manager of Alumni Affairs. As a former film student herself, she brings a unique perspective to her new role at AFI, and looks forward to bringing that firsthand knowledge to serving the AFI alumni community.
This March, she brought to the Conservatory seven years of experience in Alumni Relations at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), her alma mater, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Film Production. A Los Angeles native, Chivers also holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications and Critical Studies of Film & TV from California State University, Los Angeles.
“I’ve gone to film school and been part of an amazing program at a great university that I still love and where I still serve,” she said, referring to her position on the LMU Alumni Association Board of Directors. “I am a film school alum, and I know how cricital it is to have the support of your alma mater. I am already bursting at the seams with thoughts and ideas about how to translate my background to my new role at AFI.”
Chivers said she feels inspired by the “Transition to Industry” program led by AFI Screenwriting Discipline Head Anna Thomas, which prepares graduating Fellows for a real-world career in the industry. “That excites me so much, and I see t ... SHOW MORE
Melina Matsoukas (AFI Class of 2005) wowed audiences at CinemaCon this month with a preview of her upcoming directorial debut QUEEN & SLIM, written by Lena Waithe. Universal Pictures will release the romantic thriller, which stars Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, on November 27, 2019.
Brad Falchuk (AFI Class of 1994) inked a major, four-year deal to develop original content for Netflix.
AFI Conservatory alumni and Fellows are currently serving as mentors in the second annual Young Women in Film intensive, a partnership between AFI and the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation. The eight-week filmmaking workshop is being held on campus for 45 promising high school girls from LA.
Read more about the program here.
Zal Batmanglij (AFI Class of 2006) presented the first two episodes of his Netflix show THE OA at a recent AFI Conservatory seminar. Watch a clip, where he discusses envisioning the second season as an “eight-hour movie,” here.
Ari Aster (AFI Class of 2010) recently held a Harold Lloyd Master Seminar on the AFI Campus, discussing his film HEREDITARY and frequent collaborator Pawel Pogorzelski (AFI Class of 2010). Their next collaboration, MIDSOMMAR, comes out in July. Watch clip here.
IN MEMORIAM
Seven-time Emmy® nominee Katherine Helmond (AFI DWW, Class of 1982) recently passed away at the age of 89. Though she directed episodes of BENSON, Helmond was best known for starring on eight seasons of the hit show WHO’S THE BOSS. Her additional credits include Terry Gilliam’s TIME BANDITS, BRAZIL and FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS; the CARS movies; TRUE BLOOD; EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; and the daytime serial spoof SOAP.
In other AFI Conservatory news…
Two AFI thesis films were recognized at the 39th College Television Awards. Omer Ben Shachar, Sydney Meadow, and Iris Yang (AFI Class of 2018) were nominated in the comedic category for TREE #3, while Douglas Cushnie and Shanshan Sun (AFI Class of 2017) were nominated in the drama category for NEEMKOMOK.
Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006) was profiled in Rolling Stone for her trailblazing work as the first woman nominated for a Best Cinematography Academy Award®. The BLACK PANTHER and MUDBOUND cinematographer also shared her influences in this clip.
Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004) world-premiered his comedy LONG SHOT, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, to rousing acclaim at SXSW. The film will be released on May 3.
Alex Michaelides (AFI Class of 2004) debut novel “The Silent Patient,” a number-one New York Times bestseller, will be adapted to the big screen by Annapurna Pictures and Plan B.
Hannah Getz (AFI Class of 2017) was the cinematographer on BODY AT BRIGHTON ROCK, which premiered at SXSW. Magnolia Pictures debuted a trailer in anticipation of its April release.
Patrick Ouziel (AFI Class of 2017) shot the pilot episode of REVENGE TOUR, which won the “Special Jury Recognition” prize after its premiere at SXSW.
The AFI thesis film OUTDOORING — from Maxwell Addae, Mis Loe, Samudranil Chatterjee, and Andy Shen (AFI Class of 2018) — premiered at SXSW before moving on to a busy festival circuit.
Mel Jones (AFI Class of 2010) was recently featured by Visa as part of their “Money Is Changing” series on pay equality in Hollywood, discussing how she creates opportunities for women.
Noah Miller (AFI Class of 2011) wrote and directed a short film as part of a series for Fox in celebration of the 40th anniversary of ALIEN. Watch the trailer for the shorts here.
Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004) world-premiered his comedy LONG SHOT, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, to rousing acclaim at SXSW. The film will be released on May 3.
Alex Michaelides (AFI Class of 2004) debut novel “The Silent Patient,” a number-one New York Times bestseller, will be adapted to the big screen by Annapurna Pictures and Plan B.
Sara Mishara (AFI Class of 2002) is up for two Best Cinematography Awards at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, for ALLURE and THE GREAT DARKENED DAYS. Read a recent profile of her in CBC here.
Pippa Bianco (AFI DWW, Class of 2014) was profiled in Flaunt, discussing her journey from her DWW short film SHARE to her Sundance-winning feature adaptation of the same name, set for distribution by A24 and HBO later this year. SHARE is screening this month as part of New Directors/New Films at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, where AFI Conservatory faculty member Chinonye Chukwu’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning CLEMENCY opened the festival.
Anthony Leonardi III (AFI Class of 2005) was recently featured by Shoot Online for his collaborations with the Russo Brothers as part of the filmmaking collective Bullitt. The article also discusses his partnership with Todd Makurath (AFI Class of 2005).