DAY FOUR  November 6, 2005
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE AFI CONSERVATORY
by Rochelle L. Levy
Respected director and AFI alumnus Robert Mandel was named Dean of the AFI Conservatory this October. Mandel graduated from AFI in 1979 and is an award-winning director with credits including FX, SCHOOL TIES, BIG SHOTS and THE SUBSTITUTE. He has also directed numerous television movies for HBO, Fox, Lifetime and A&E, as well as episodic television such as THE X-FILES (pilot), LOST and PRISON BREAK.
"There's an emotional component to accepting the honor and responsibilities of Conservatory Dean. I'm a product of AFI. AFI changed my life and made my film career possible. And now I look forward to helping shape and launch the careers of those just embarking on their AFI years," stated Mandel.
Mandel began his career as a stage director, with productions at The Manhattan Theatre Club, The Roundabout and The Public Theatre--where Joseph Papp was his mentor. He has MFA degrees from both Columbia University and AFI. Mandel has taught at City College of New York and has been a Directing Mentor at The Sundance Institute.
As Dean, Mandel will oversee all activities at the AFI Conservatory, a two-year accredited MFA program, which grants degrees in six filmmaking disciplines--Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.
Mandel is the fifth Dean in the Conservatory's 36-year history and is the first alumnus to hold the position. The AFI Conservatory has trained more than 3,000 artists since its founding in 1969. These graduates have, and will continue to have, a major impact on the art of film, television and digital media.
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