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Home › News & Events › News › UA School of Theatre, Film & Television moves up in ‘The Wrap’ Top 50 Film Schools Annual Rankings

UA School of Theatre, Film & Television moves up in ‘The Wrap’ Top 50 Film Schools Annual Rankings

November 2, 2021
I Dream in Widescreen 2021. Photo by Julius Schlosburg.

November 2, 2021: The Wrap today published its annual ranking of the top 50 Film Schools in the U.S. and this year The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) moved up to No. 25 overall and No. 7 among public universities. The overall ranking is up one spot from last year. The Wrap’s sixth annual ranking of film schools was assembled through an anonymous poll of more than 1,200 entertainment industry insiders, educators, deans, filmmakers and film pundits, along with experts tasked with evaluating each school.

This year, TFTV enrollment jumped 42% and student films completed during COVID-19 earned more than 30 invitations from festivals as diverse as BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival, Palm Springs International ShortFest, and the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York. And in a School first, class of ’20 filmmaker Faye Ruiz’s thesis short The Lights Are On, No One’s Home was acquired for national distribution through Dedza Films/Kino Lorber.

“I’m incredibly proud of our TFTV family and this standout year for student, faculty and alumni achievements despite the ongoing pandemic,” said TFTV Director Andy Belser. “It’s gratifying to receive this industry recognition as our film program, with its longstanding focus on mentoring diverse voices, continues its rise and produces alumni who excel across the industry.”

The School’s BA and BFA degrees are hands-on all the way, offering small production classes and helping students land jobs across the industry, from A24 to UTA. Students and grads are mentored by working faculty and a diverse, multi-generational alumni of creative leaders. In 2021, Robbie Hyne (’15) moved up to story editor on DC’s Stargirl and Scott Silver (’09) was named VP of VFX at Fox Seachlight. Christina Oh (’09) earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination for producing Minari; director Tyler Gillett (’04) wrapped filming on Scream, the latest film of the multimedia franchise; showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas (‘05) premiered the ground-breaking Peacock comedy series Rutherford Falls; Paul Pennolino (’85) was nominated for an Emmy for directing Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Netflix’s feature division run by Scott Stuber (’91) scored the most Oscar nominations of the season.

Faculty also had a busy year. When Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 2020 Art+Film Gala was put on hold due to COVID-19, LACMA Productions tapped Lisanne Skyler to create a film in lieu of an in-person event; Michael Mulcahy wrapped a horror short A Dutiful Spouse debuting at the Loft Film Festival later this month; and Jacob Bricca (The Bad Kids) and Lisa Molomot’s Missing in Brooks County  will debut on PBS/Independent Lens after an award-winning festival run that brought renewed attention to the humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border. Meanwhile, Beverly Seckinger launched the Human Rights Practice Program, an interdisciplinary graduate certificate program bringing together aspiring human rights workers and documentary filmmakers.

Elisa Gonzalez will graduate with a BA in Film & Television this year and has been hand-selected by the trail-blazing producer Frida Torresblanco to join her company Braven Films. “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Braven Films after graduation. I wouldn’t have gotten this incredible opportunity without the support of the TFTV faculty,” says Gonzalez. “The School of Theatre, Film & Television at The University of Arizona has been integral to my personal and professional development. I’m so proud to be part of the TFTV community.”

About the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television

The School of Theatre, Film & Television, a member of the Arizona Arts division at the University of Arizona, nurtures and develops outstanding artists and scholars via rigorous training and mentoring by internationally recognized faculty, high-level internship opportunities, industry-standard resources, and hands-on production experience. TFTV offers comprehensive training programs that aim to prepare students to succeed in a wide range of careers – in the industry, the arts, and higher education. Each year through Arizona Repertory Theatre productions, Next Performance Collective productions, and Film & Television screenings, students of TFTV are able to showcase their talents, tell compelling stories, and provide clear results of what happens in their classrooms and studios. TFTV’s Film & Television program regularly ranks in The Wrap’s “Top 50 Film Schools,” and the School’s Theatre programs regularly rank in Onstage’s “Top 30 College Musical Theatre Programs” and “Top 30 College Theatre Design & Tech Programs” making UA one of the country’s top institutions to study theatre, film and television. More at tftv.arizona.edu.

For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Kerryn Negus
knegus@email.arizona.edu
Tel: 520-626-1405

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Here's Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his "The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully" workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

"The Room Where it Happens" is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel one's performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
Heres Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

The Room Where it Happens is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel ones performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
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Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including 'In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully,' and 'Defying Gravity: Belting 101.'

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago
Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully, and Defying Gravity: Belting 101.

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
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Welcome Wildcats!

On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”

IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting '23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.

Congratulations Zach!
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”  
 
IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting 23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.
 
Congratulations Zach!
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👏👏👏

School of Theatre, Film & Television alum David Bornstein (BA, '13) has been selected as one of 20 Fellows to participate in RespectAbility's 2022 Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities.

Now in its fourth year, the Lab aims to elevate the talent pipeline of professionals with disabilities working in television, film, and streaming. During the Lab, studio executives and other decision makers advise Lab Fellows on various aspects of the industry and their specific craft. Lab alumni currently are working at Disney, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Showtime and more.

"I never really embraced my autism as a part of my creative voice," said David, who majored in Film & Television Producing and Studies. "For most of my adult life I actively tried to suppress and hide these parts of me to my own detriment. I'm proud to be a part of this group of awesome filmmakers and writers, and I am even more excited to learn from them."

As a director, David Bornstein's most recent short film Unholy 'Mole (2021) has screened at some forty film festivals, including the Academy Award qualifying Seattle International Film Festival, and earned 10 festival nominations and awards.

Congratulations, David! Learn more about the program: www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/respectability-2022-entertainment-lab-particip...
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
School of Theatre, Film & Television alum David Bornstein (BA, 13) has been selected as one of 20 Fellows to participate in RespectAbilitys 2022 Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities.

Now in its fourth year, the Lab aims to elevate the talent pipeline of professionals with disabilities working in television, film, and streaming. During the Lab, studio executives and other decision makers advise Lab Fellows on various aspects of the industry and their specific craft. Lab alumni currently are working at Disney, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Showtime and more.

I never really embraced my autism as a part of my creative voice, said David, who majored in Film & Television Producing and Studies. For most of my adult life I actively tried to suppress and hide these parts of me to my own detriment. Im proud to be a part of this group of awesome filmmakers and writers, and I am even more excited to learn from them.

As a director, David Bornsteins most recent short film Unholy Mole (2021) has screened at some forty film festivals, including the Academy Award qualifying Seattle International Film Festival, and earned 10 festival nominations and awards.

Congratulations, David! Learn more about the program: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/respectability-2022-entertainment-lab-participants-1235158688/
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U da real mvp David Bornstein

Did you spot any familiar faces this weekend at the 75th Annual Tony Awards? We did!

After the company of Paradise Square on Broadway performed during the show, the cast and crew were shown backstage with Ariana DeBose, the evening's host. In the segment, TFTV alum and Paradise Square stage manager Christopher Anaya-Gorman (BFA, '09) was front and center while DeBose took a moment to acknowledge his work and all Broadway stage managers whose work is essential to a production's success. PARADISE SQUARE was nominated for 10 Tony awards, including best musical, and lead Joaquina Kalukango took home the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

We love seeing the behind-the-scenes production members receive much deserved recognition, and we are so proud to see Wildcats out in the world following their passions.

Congratulations to Christopher, the entire company of Paradise Square, and everyone in the industry who work to make the magic happen - on the stage and behind it!
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
Did you spot any familiar faces this weekend at the 75th Annual Tony Awards? We did! 

After the company of Paradise Square on Broadway performed during the show, the cast and crew were shown backstage with Ariana DeBose, the evenings host. In the segment, TFTV alum and Paradise Square stage manager Christopher Anaya-Gorman (BFA, 09) was front and center while DeBose took a moment to acknowledge his work and all Broadway stage managers whose work is essential to a productions success. PARADISE SQUARE was nominated for 10 Tony awards, including best musical, and lead Joaquina Kalukango took home the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. 

We love seeing the behind-the-scenes production members receive much deserved recognition, and we are so proud to see Wildcats out in the world following their passions. 

Congratulations to Christopher, the entire company of Paradise Square, and everyone in the industry who work to make the magic happen - on the stage and behind it!
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👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Congratulations to TFTV alum Fatimah Amill ('16) on joining the Stage Management team as an Assistant Stage Manager on The Devil Wears Prada! The production, directed by Anna D. Shapiro with music by Elton John, will have its World Premiere in Chicago in July. ... See MoreSee Less

4 weeks ago
Congratulations to TFTV alum Fatimah Amill (16) on joining the Stage Management team as an Assistant Stage Manager on The Devil Wears Prada! The production, directed by Anna D. Shapiro with music by Elton John, will have its World Premiere in Chicago in July.
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WAY COOL! Congratulations!

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School Of Theatre, Film & Television

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