Rebecca— I appreciate that you read my article on film schools.I’m a big fan of yours. We crossed paths years ago on Andrés Levin’s movie, and I remember thinking what a sharp, thoughtful producer you are.
I love that your response sparks this kind of debate—it’s exactly the conversation we should be having. At my core, I’m with you: I’m a filmmaker who loves movies. Two years ago, I was lucky enough to take a film to Sundance that won Best of Fest and went on to become Mexico’s highest-grossing drama. More importantly, it created real conversation around education reform. If I could live only in that space—making films with cultural and social impact—I would. That’s the dream.
But I also think it’s essential that film schools balance that heart with the realities of the marketplace. In my Columbia class, most of us walked away with $100K–$200K in debt. For us, finding a path to success wasn’t abstract—it was survival. And 80% of those students did not even build a career. they ended up doing other things. That’s why I believe this is an AND conversation. Teach the art and the commerce. Encourage storytelling and help students understand how audiences and consumer behavior are changing.
The contraction of film and TV makes this even more urgent. The creator universe is already becoming the best feeder and testing ground for storytellers. Ignoring that reality doesn’t just miss an opportunity—it risks leaving students unprepared. I believe programs should allow for choice: students who want to live purely in the art can. But schools also have a responsibility to equip those who need a path forward to sustain themselves, to build a career they can live from.
I see your point, and I agree with the heart of it. But for me, the commerce side isn’t the enemy of art—it’s the structure that allows art to thrive. I’d love to keep this debate going because it feels like the most important one for film education right now. Let's keep talking!!! xBen
Ancient Greek education sought to shape character and cultivate civic virtue, while modern higher ed often aims to equip individuals for economic and societal contribution.
Cultivation of the Whole Citizen
- Intellectual development: Literacy, philosophy, rhetoric, and poetry were central. Boys studied Homer, Hesiod, and learned to reason and debate.
- Physical excellence: Gymnastics and athletics were vital—not just for war, but to embody the ideal of kalos kagathos (“beautiful and good”).
- Moral character: Education aimed to produce virtuous, civic-minded individuals. Plato and Aristotle emphasized ethics and the soul’s development.
- Cultural participation: Music, dance, and drama were considered essential for harmony and civic engagement.
Modern higher education teaches
Critical thinking and intellectual growth: Encouraging inquiry, analysis, and synthesis across disciplines.
- Professional preparation: Degrees often serve as credentials for specific careers, from medicine to engineering.
- Research and innovation: Universities are hubs for advancing knowledge and solving global challenges.
- Personal development: Emphasis on leadership, ethics, and global citizenship.
- Social mobility and equity: Expanding access to underserved populations and promoting diversity.
For last 50 years since the advent of fiat currencies we live in a financialized system that commoditizes everything including education and art in my opinion but we can never surrender
I read Ben’s piece too and been so swamped I haven’t been able to write something about it. I too agree and disagree in a “collaborative-debatey-let’s make things better” way and need to build on what he wrote and now what’s in this piece.
As an adjunct at usc I definitely approach my class in the way described in this quote which I love and she articulated for me what I couldn’t about what I like to do “The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artists. It’s to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives.”
The right way of delivering cinematic storytelling education creating the next generation of individuals who want to make an impact in the world is very necessary!
We don't nerd film schools. We need government film grants for indie filmmakers like nearly every other country. We need government subsidized Arthouse and true indie theaters
Thanks Rebecca - for this refreshing contribution to the current robust discussions concerning the distressed, concrete aspects of the independent film world - financing, distribution, exhibition, etc. It’s good to step outside of those very real concerns and think about the expansive power of film for an audience, what makes it all worthwhile. Also, it seems like the constricted, difficult conditions have given rise to a sense of community and solidarity, especially among producers, which didn’t previously exist. So in this tough terrain there are some bright spots and good reasons to keep going. And thanks for Dear Producer!
Thank you for sharing this. I agree wholeheartedly — I support human development in all its forms, and this piece beautifully captures the deeper purpose of arts education. Congratulations on your new role — AFI is lucky to have you. Looking forward to seeing what you build there.
I am moved by this piece because it seems so simple when everything else feels so complicated. yes i know Rebecca and am a big fan. And I am feel so excited for her new position and the students at AFI who get ot be part of this chapter with her. I find this piece and the inspirations she includes causing me pause to think about how to use the time one has to support this definition of "art" and those who create it. Thank you Rebecca for this piece and for Dear Producer.
Rebecca— I appreciate that you read my article on film schools.I’m a big fan of yours. We crossed paths years ago on Andrés Levin’s movie, and I remember thinking what a sharp, thoughtful producer you are.
I love that your response sparks this kind of debate—it’s exactly the conversation we should be having. At my core, I’m with you: I’m a filmmaker who loves movies. Two years ago, I was lucky enough to take a film to Sundance that won Best of Fest and went on to become Mexico’s highest-grossing drama. More importantly, it created real conversation around education reform. If I could live only in that space—making films with cultural and social impact—I would. That’s the dream.
But I also think it’s essential that film schools balance that heart with the realities of the marketplace. In my Columbia class, most of us walked away with $100K–$200K in debt. For us, finding a path to success wasn’t abstract—it was survival. And 80% of those students did not even build a career. they ended up doing other things. That’s why I believe this is an AND conversation. Teach the art and the commerce. Encourage storytelling and help students understand how audiences and consumer behavior are changing.
The contraction of film and TV makes this even more urgent. The creator universe is already becoming the best feeder and testing ground for storytellers. Ignoring that reality doesn’t just miss an opportunity—it risks leaving students unprepared. I believe programs should allow for choice: students who want to live purely in the art can. But schools also have a responsibility to equip those who need a path forward to sustain themselves, to build a career they can live from.
I see your point, and I agree with the heart of it. But for me, the commerce side isn’t the enemy of art—it’s the structure that allows art to thrive. I’d love to keep this debate going because it feels like the most important one for film education right now. Let's keep talking!!! xBen
Ancient Greek education sought to shape character and cultivate civic virtue, while modern higher ed often aims to equip individuals for economic and societal contribution.
Cultivation of the Whole Citizen
- Intellectual development: Literacy, philosophy, rhetoric, and poetry were central. Boys studied Homer, Hesiod, and learned to reason and debate.
- Physical excellence: Gymnastics and athletics were vital—not just for war, but to embody the ideal of kalos kagathos (“beautiful and good”).
- Moral character: Education aimed to produce virtuous, civic-minded individuals. Plato and Aristotle emphasized ethics and the soul’s development.
- Cultural participation: Music, dance, and drama were considered essential for harmony and civic engagement.
Modern higher education teaches
Critical thinking and intellectual growth: Encouraging inquiry, analysis, and synthesis across disciplines.
- Professional preparation: Degrees often serve as credentials for specific careers, from medicine to engineering.
- Research and innovation: Universities are hubs for advancing knowledge and solving global challenges.
- Personal development: Emphasis on leadership, ethics, and global citizenship.
- Social mobility and equity: Expanding access to underserved populations and promoting diversity.
For last 50 years since the advent of fiat currencies we live in a financialized system that commoditizes everything including education and art in my opinion but we can never surrender
I read Ben’s piece too and been so swamped I haven’t been able to write something about it. I too agree and disagree in a “collaborative-debatey-let’s make things better” way and need to build on what he wrote and now what’s in this piece.
As an adjunct at usc I definitely approach my class in the way described in this quote which I love and she articulated for me what I couldn’t about what I like to do “The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artists. It’s to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives.”
The right way of delivering cinematic storytelling education creating the next generation of individuals who want to make an impact in the world is very necessary!
We don't nerd film schools. We need government film grants for indie filmmakers like nearly every other country. We need government subsidized Arthouse and true indie theaters
Thanks Rebecca - for this refreshing contribution to the current robust discussions concerning the distressed, concrete aspects of the independent film world - financing, distribution, exhibition, etc. It’s good to step outside of those very real concerns and think about the expansive power of film for an audience, what makes it all worthwhile. Also, it seems like the constricted, difficult conditions have given rise to a sense of community and solidarity, especially among producers, which didn’t previously exist. So in this tough terrain there are some bright spots and good reasons to keep going. And thanks for Dear Producer!
Thank you for sharing this. I agree wholeheartedly — I support human development in all its forms, and this piece beautifully captures the deeper purpose of arts education. Congratulations on your new role — AFI is lucky to have you. Looking forward to seeing what you build there.
I am moved by this piece because it seems so simple when everything else feels so complicated. yes i know Rebecca and am a big fan. And I am feel so excited for her new position and the students at AFI who get ot be part of this chapter with her. I find this piece and the inspirations she includes causing me pause to think about how to use the time one has to support this definition of "art" and those who create it. Thank you Rebecca for this piece and for Dear Producer.