American Film Institute

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Actress Jane Fonda Visits the AFI Conservatory in 2014

Oscar®-winning actress and 42nd AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Jane Fonda talks to AFI Conservatory Fellows about her extraordinary career that includes memorable roles in films such as COMING HOME, KLUTE and more.

Filmmaker Barry Jenkins Conversation on IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

Acclaimed writer/director Barry Jenkins discusses his 2018 film IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK adapted from James Baldwin’s poignant novel.

TV Creator and Puppeteer Jim Henson Visits the AFI Conservatory

Television pioneer and puppeteer Jim Henson visited the AFI Conservatory in 1986 to talk to Fellows about the wide array of fantasy worlds he created for projects including THE DARK CRYSTAL, FRAGGLE ROCK, LABYRINTH and THE MUPPETS. Watch this illuminating seminar in which Henson talks about the art of puppetry, his collaborations with David Bowie, Frank Oz and George Lucas, and working in film versus television.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg Visits the AFI Conservatory

On May 24, 1978, Steven Spielberg visited the AFI Conservatory to talk with AFI Fellows after the success of making the hit films JAWS and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Watch the filmmaker talk to about his casting process, collaborating with actors, working with French titan François Truffaut and more.

Director William Friedkin on THE EXORCIST, THE FRENCH CONNECTION and More

Following the release of THE EXORCIST, horror film director William Friedkin visited the AFI Conservatory in 1974 to speak about the movies that shaped him as a filmmaker, working with the Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock, and his filmography including THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, THE EXORCIST and more.

Content advisory: Please be aware the following video contains some imagery that might be scary or disturbing to children.

Filmmaker Elia Kazan Visits the AFI Conservatory in 1975

Acclaimed film and theater director, producer, screenwriter and actor Elia Kazan visited the AFI Conservatory on October 8, 1975, to speak to Fellows about his storied career. In this seminar, Kazan discusses collaborating with writer John Steinbeck, how he cast James Dean in EAST OF EDEN, the parallels between A FACE IN THE CROWD and the Watergate hearings, and more.

Director James Cameron Visits the AFI Conservatory

In 1999, acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron visited the AFI Conservatory to speak to AFI Fellows and offer advice on the art and craft of filmmaking. In this insightful seminar, Cameron discusses his iconic career including writing THE TERMINATOR, collaborating with Sigourney Weaver on the ALIEN franchise and the extraordinary undertaking that was TITANIC.

Rob Reiner on THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, MISERY and more

To celebrate Independence Day, AFI is showcasing a captivating conversation with Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner when he visited the AFI Conservatory in 2003 to screen his acclaimed film THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. AFI ranked the film #75 as one of America’s greatest love stories. In this seminar, Reiner talks about the evolution of the film’s production, from Robert Redford originally being attached to star to his process of collaborating with writer Aaron Sorkin and how they infused the film with their passion for politics. He also discusses his seminal film STAND BY ME and creating such classics as MISERY and THE PRINCESS BRIDE.

Director Celiné Sciamma and stars Noemie Merlant & Adele Haenel Discuss PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, AFI is shining a spotlight on a 2020 master class featuring acclaimed director Celiné Sciamma and actresses Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel who star as an artist and an aristocrat respectively who fall in love in 18th century France in PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE. The film won the Queer Palm at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first film directed by a woman to win the award. Sciamma is known for her films including WATER LILIES, TOMBOY, GIRLHOOD and PETITE MAMAN – which played at the 2021 AFI FEST – and she commonly explores themes of coming of age, gender expression, sexuality and identity in her work. Watch this seminar in which the artists talk about their experiences making the film and portraying desire and intimacy onscreen in PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE.

Acclaimed Composer Henry Mancini Visits the AFI Conservatory in 1973

This month in honor of the upcoming AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Julie Andrews, AFI revisits a 1973 master class with four-time Oscar®-winning composer Henry Mancini who worked with the legendary actress on VICTOR/VICTORIA. In this insightful conversation, Mancini discusses his creative process composing scores for such iconic films as BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, CHARADE and THE PINK PANTHER and what it was like working with directors including Blake Edwards and Stanley Donen.

1975 Robert Wise Master Class

Leading up to the Life Achievement Award honoring the legendary Oscar®-winning actress Julie Andrews, AFI takes a look back at a 1975 conversation with filmmaker Robert Wise – who directed her in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and STAR! While visiting the AFI Conservatory, Wise spoke to Fellows about his experiences working on iconic films including WEST SIDE STORY (1961), THE SOUND OF MUSIC, SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME and THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, among others.

Chloe Zhao and Brady Jandreau AFI Seminar | THE RIDER

Leading up to the 94th Academy Awards, AFI is revisiting an insightful conversation from 2018 in which Oscar Award®-winning director Chloé Zhao and actor Brady Jandreau visited the AFI Conservatory. They spoke about their acclaimed film THE RIDER, shot in the Badlands of South Dakota and based on the latter’s real-life journey to recover from a life-threatening injury sustained on the rodeo circuit. The film premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival, won Best Feature at the Gotham Awards and was named Best Picture by the National Society of Film Critics.Watch Zhao talk about working with non-professional actors, how she was able to authentically portray the culture of the Lakota Sioux, what directors have inspired her throughout her career and more.

Denzel Washington 050419 HLMS

In advance of the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Denzel Washington, the two-time Academy Award® winner visited the AFI Conservatory in the spring of 2019 to speak with Fellows. Joined by director and frequent collaborator Ed Zwick (AFI Class of 1975) who moderated the event, Washington revisited his storied career, including acclaimed films such as FENCES, GLORY and TRAINING DAY, and discussed what he loves about directing movies, performing as an actor and working in the theater, among other subjects.

David Lynch 1999 AFI Seminar

In this insightful and humorous seminar from 1999, master of the surreal David Lynch (AFI Class of 1970) visits the AFI Campus and talks about his experience as an AFI Directing Fellow and his acclaimed career making award-winning projects including ERASERHEAD, THE ELEPHANT MAN – with which he worked with AFI Life Achievement honoree Mel Brooks for the first time, BLUE VELVET, LOST HIGHWAY and TWIN PEAKS.Watch this illuminating seminar in which he discusses the importance of filmmaking collaborations, his unique casting process and “holding your objectivity” in the editing stage. Learn more about Lynch and his filmography in the AFI Catalog.

Pedro Almodovar AFI Conservator Seminar (1991)

It’s that time of the year where we celebrate AFI FEST, which ushers in award season contenders, world cinema debuts and indie darlings. This month on Kanopy, we are showcasing the remarkable work by creative artists who have screened at AFI FEST in the past and are continuing to do incredible work in the industry. Please enjoy this month’s film selections as we salute AFI FEST and the talented artists who make it all possible.At AFI FEST 2021, we are thrilled to be screening PARALLEL MOTHERS, the latest film from Academy Award®-winning auteur Pedro Almodóvar. In anticipation of this premier event, in which the master filmmaker will be in attendance, we’re revisiting an exclusive seminar from the AFI Archive when the director visited the Conservatory in 1991.

Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton 1974 AFI Seminar

The greatest clowns to have graced film and television screens are not the classic chalk-white, red nosed figures we have come to associate with the word. Rather, they are stars hiding in plain sight, such as Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Peter Sellers, Robin Williams and Gilda Radner, who excel at making audiences laugh, whether they are dancing and singing, attempting pratfalls and parody or performing screwball or sketch comedy. No matter whether these comedians are the comic relief or the center of attention, their timing and talent continue to elevate productions and audiences’ spirits.Join us this month as we pay tribute to the majestic clown with our Kanopy title selections and count down the days to the AFI Life Achievement Award, celebrating the life and legacy of Julie Andrews. We are also honored to revisit an AFI Master Class with the hilarious and talented, Carol Burnett – who happens to have a decades-long friendship with the iconic Andrews.

Blake Edwards 1986 HLMS

As we look forward to the AFI Life Achievement Award tribute honoring Julie Andrews in November, we celebrate her 40-year marriage to another Hollywood icon Blake Edwards, whom we are spotlighting this month in our exclusive Master Seminar from the AFI Archive. While they were in similar circles, Andrews and Edwards initially crossed paths as they drove in opposite directions from the same therapist’s office, making eye contact at an intersection in LA. Following their “meet-cute,” they began to date and were married in 1969. The couple also collaborated on seven films, including DARLING LILI, S.O.B. and VICTOR/VICTORIA, which earned Andrews an Oscar® nomination for Best Actress.In honor of the pair who were married for over 40 years, we are celebrating great love stories on Kanopy that have stood the test of time in real-life and on celluloid. Our picks range from classic love stories to contemporary romances and show that love takes many forms, including love of humanity (THE ELEPHANT MAN), love of family and food (BIG NIGHT), contentious love (2 DAYS IN PARIS) and love from afar (AMÉLIE). We hope you enjoy!

Edith Head 1977 HLMS

A costume designer helps to define a character from the ground up. At times, our first impression can be based solely on the appearance of a brown fedora and leather jacket ensemble or a little black dress and pearls. The costume designers work ranges from recreating bygone eras to interpreting modern fashion in an interesting way to imagining a future that could be even dystopian. One of the most famous costume designers was a character unto herself – Edith Head. Born in 1897 in San Bernardino, California, she amassed 500 film credits, 21 Oscar® nominations and 8 gold statues. Her credits include SABRINA (1954), ALL ABOUT EVE, ROMAN HOLIDAY, TO CATCH A THIEF, FUNNY FACE, THE STING and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. Join us this month as we salute costume designers and spotlight big budget period pieces to low budget sci-fi films where costume is key.

Polly Platt 1977 AFI Conservatory Seminar

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the incredibly gifted film producer, production designer and screenwriter Polly Platt. She created some of the most beloved and groundbreaking films of the ‘70s and ‘80s including THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, PAPER MOON, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and BROADCAST NEWS, and was responsible for mentoring up-and-coming filmmakers including Wes Anderson and Cameron Crowe. Upgrade to a two-star member or above to watch this exclusive full-length seminar of Platt in 1977 when she visited the AFI Conservatory.If you’re interested in learning more about film producer, production designer and screenwriter Polly Platt’s contributions to the film industry, listen to the podcast You Must Remember This, created by friend of AFI, Karina Longworth, who used exclusive material from the AFI Archive in her research.

HENRY FONDA 1976 HLMS

In this 1976 Harold Lloyd Master Seminar, Oscar® winner and AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Henry Fonda talks about his love of working in the theater, his daughter Jane’s foray into acting and some of the high-profile roles he turned down in his career.

James Wong Howe 1973 AFI Seminar

Watch legendary cinematographer James Wong Howe talk about his remarkable career and working on major Hollywood motion pictures including BELL BOOK AND CANDLE, THE THIN MAN and YANKEE DOODLE DANDY. The two-time Oscar® winner discusses the study of lenses, lighting and cameras in this 1973 master class.

Bette Davis 1977: AFI Master Seminar

In this engaging AFI seminar from 1977, two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Bette Davis speaks about her storied career working in Hollywood on such legendary films as ALL ABOUT EVE and THE LITTLE FOXES. Watch this illuminating conversation, exclusive for Two-Star members and above.

AFI HLMS John Cassavetes 1971

In this previously unreleased AFI seminar from 1971, actor, writer and director John Cassavetes and actor Peter Falk discuss their film HUSBANDS and their approach to independent filmmaking.

Sidney Poitier 1976 HLMS

The legendary Sidney Poitier, an Oscar® winner for his role in LILIES OF THE FIELD (1964), served as Vice Chair on the very first AFI Board of Trustees and received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1992. Watch him share his distinguished career with Fellows in this master seminar he gave at the AFI Conservatory in 1976.

Natalie Wood Discusses Filmmaking at a Harold Lloyd Master Seminar

From her days as a child star on MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) to her breakthrough opposite James Dean in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE and her headlining role as Maria in WEST SIDE STORY, Natalie Wood has captivated audiences around the world. In this 1979 Harold Lloyd Master Seminar from the AFI Archive, Wood talks about her illustrious four-decade career and working with Hollywood’s top directors including Nicholas Ray, Robert Wise and Elia Kazan.

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Cicely Tyson Seminar

In this Harold Lloyd Master Seminar moderated by Edward Ashley, Cicely Tyson discusses with AFI Fellows the important historical roles she’s played, such as Coretta Scott King and Jane Pittman, as well as stage performances and her views on the craft of acting.

Tyson graduated from AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women in 1977 and received an Honorary Degree from the AFI Conservatory in 2014.

After watching this never-before-seen full seminar with Cicely Tyson, go to Kanopy and stream THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN for free as part of your membership benefits.

Alfred Hitchcock 1970 HLMS

The Harold Lloyd Master Seminar with Alfred Hitchcock was held on the Greystone campus, AFI’s first home, and moderated by James Silke. Hitchcock discusses his generation of filmmaking with the Fellows and the principles of film construction with examples from his works.

After watching this never-before-seen full seminar with Alfred Hitchcock, go to Kanopy and stream Hitchcock’s classic DIAL M FOR MURDER for free as part of your membership benefits.