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Courses at Columbia College Hollywood are taught by a distinguished faculty of creative professionals who are experienced filmmakers, producers, directors, editors, writers, artists, sound engineers, game designers, media makers, cinematographers, and scholars.
Collectively, they have contributed talents, creativity, art, skill, knowledge, and expertise to dozens of studio and independent feature films, hundreds of hours of scripted, reality, and nonfiction television programming, and a vast array of digital media content. Their work has been seen in film festivals worldwide.
They’re active members of the entertainment industry’s most respected professional organizations and guilds, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmy), the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Producers Guild of America (PGA), the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG), the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA), and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).
The college’s adjunct general education faculty members have rich and diverse academic backgrounds in the humanities, natural and social sciences, technology, business, and art.
Jawad Ali
MFA, Critical Studies, California Institute of the Arts, 2000
BS, Physics, University of California, Irvine, 1992
Humanities, Physical and Life Sciences
Maylene Au
BA, Motion Picture Television, University of California, Los Angeles, 1990
Cinema, Cinematography
Joe Barrera
MM, Music Composition, North Texas State University, 1976
BM, Composition, Music Theory, North Texas State University, 1974
Cinema, Sound
Bill Baykan
MA, Master of Art Program in the Social Sciences, University of Chicago, 1999
BA, Film and Television Production, University of California, Los Angeles, 1987
Film and Cinema
Linda Beal
MFA, Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 1991
JD, Hastings College of Law, 1977
BA, Art History, University of California, Irvine, 1974
Cinema
David Benullo
BFA, Film & Television, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, 1992
Screenwriting
Stu Berg
BS, Journalism, University of Illinois, Urbana, 1953
Cinema, Directing
Ed Bishop
BA, Radio-TV-Film, Temple University, 1983
Cinema, Editing
Dirk Blackman
MFA, Screenwriting, American Film Institute, 1990
BA, History, Columbia University, 1985
Cinema, Screenwriting
Elizabeth Blakey, PhD
PhD, Sociology, University of Notre Dame, 2009
MA, Sociology, University of Notre Dame, 2007
BA, Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame, 1983
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Todd Boatman
MFA, Art and Interactive Design, Northern Illinois University, 2001
BFA, Electronic Media, Northern Illinois University, 1997
Graphic Design + Interactive Media
Charles Borg
MFA, Screenwriting, Chapman University, 2007
BA, Film Production, California State University, Long Beach, 2005
AA, Film Studies, San Francisco State University, 2002
Film and Cinema, Screenwriting
Jennifer Botich
MA, Interdisciplinary Studies, DePaul University, 2010
BS, Speech Communications, Illinois State University, 1998
Written and Oral Communication
Amanda Brown
MS, Counseling, Villanova University, 2013
BA, Communication, Villanova University, 2010
Written and Oral Communication, Social and Behavioral Sciences
René Bruckner, PhD
PhD, Visual Studies, University of California, Irvine, 2007
MA, Visual Studies, University of California, Irvine, 2003
BA, Visual Arts–Media, University of San Diego, 1994
Humanities
Franco Castilla
MFA, Art, Ohio State University, 2005
BFA, Painting and Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2002
Art, Visual Storytelling
Tommy Cho
MFA, Computer Art, School of Visual Arts, New York, 2002
BFA, Computer Art, School of Visual Arts, New York, 1998
Visual Effects
Donna Clesen
MA, Teaching, English Literature, Northeastern Illinois University, 1977
BS, English, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1971
Humanities
Keith Coene
MFA, Cinema Television Production, University of Southern California, 1991
BA, Philosophy, University of California, Irvine, 1981
Cinema, Producing
Chris Cole
MFA, Experimental Sound Practices & Integrated Media, California Institute of the Arts, 2014
BA, English, Pomona College, Claremont, California, 2005
Cinema, Sound
Andrew S. Conklin
MFA, Fine Arts, The Academy of Art University, 2013
BFA, Electronic Design, The American Academy of Art, 2000
Graphic Design + Interactive Media, Art
Tim Dailey
MFA, Digital Arts, Pratt Institute, 2013
BS, Film and Video, Grand Valley State University, 2008
Visual Effects
Kadina de Elejalde
MFA, Acting, Yale University, 1991
BA, Theater Arts, Barnard College, 1986
Cinema, Acting
Kieran Delaney
MFA, Communication Design, Harrington College of Design, 2016
BFA, Graphic Design, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 1998
BFA, Industrial Design, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 1998
Graphic Design + Interactive Media
Rafael Duffie
MFA in progress, Animation & Visual Effects, Academy of Art University, San Francisco
BS, Media Arts & Animation, Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, 2012
Visual Effects
Daniel Eaton
MFA, Music Composition, California Institute of the Arts, 2011
BM, Performance, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, 2008
Cinema, Sound
Perry Ergang
MA, Communication, American University, 1977
BS, Radio and Television, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1976
Oral Communication, Literature
Scott Erlinder
MFA, Film & Video, Columbia College Chicago, 1996
Film and Cinema
Edwin Etolue-O’Chei
MS, Immunology and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Maine, 1990
BS, Medical Biology, University of New England, 1985
Physical and Life Sciences
James Evans
MFA, Theatre Arts & Playwriting, Columbia University, 2001
BA, Creative Writing & Theatre, Santa Fe College of Art and Design. 1993
Humanities
Gordon Firemark, Esq.
BA, Telecommunication and Film, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1998
JD, Southwestern School of Law, 1992
Entertainment Law
Adam C. Frommelt
MFA, Communication Design, Harrington College of Design, 2015
BFA, Communication Design, Harrington College of Design, 2010
Graphic Design + Interactive Media, Visual Communication
Emily Frydrych
MA, Social Sciences, University of Chicago, 2001
BA, Women’s Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2000
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Jennifer Fuller
MS, Digital Cinema, DePaul University, 2010
BFA, Visual Communication, University of Dayton, 2008
Visual Effects, Animation
Michael Galbincea
MFA, Film, Video and New Media, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2001
BA, Communications, Cleveland State University, 1999
Graphic Design + Interactive Media, Visual Effects, Animation
Maria Gavin
MA, Communications, Stanford University, 1987
BA, Communications, University of the Pacific, 1985
Cinema, Humanities
Michael Greenspan
MFA, Directing, American Film Institute, 2002
BFA, Film Production and Theory, York University, 1999
BA, Film Studies, Dawson College, 1995
Cinema, Directing
Adam Hall
MFA, Film Production, University of Southern California, 2011
BA, Political Science, Carson-Newman College, 2005
Cinema, Producing, Humanities
Lori Hammond
MFA, Computer Graphics, Pratt Institute, 2004
BFA, Studio Art – Fine Arts, Northern Illinois University, 2016
Graphic Design + Interactive Media
David Harris
MFA, Screenwriting, American Film Institute, 2003
BA, History, Washington University, 1997
Cinema, Producing
Oscar Harrison
MFA, University of Southern California, 1978
BFA, Howard University, 1972
Cinema, Producing
Ashley Hay
ME, Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Olivet Nazarene University, 2017
BS, Mathematics, Tuskegee University, 2014
BA, Mathematics Education, Tuskegee University, 2014
Mathematics
Killian Heilsberg
MFA, Film and Video Production, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 1998
BA, Theatre, Berea College, 1992
Film and Cinema
Courtney Hitson
MFA, Poetry, Columbia College Chicago, 2012
BA, English, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2010
Written and Oral Communication
Amen Igbinosun
MFA, Acting, Harvard University, 2013
BA, Business Administration and Theater, Fordham University, 2011
Cinema, Acting
Debra Isaac
MFA, Animation & Digital Arts, University of Southern California, 2009
BA, Design | Media Arts, UCLA School of Arts and Architecture, 2001
Visual Effects, Animation
Julie Janney
Acting, New York University
Member, The Actors Studio
Cinema, Acting
Rick Jesik, PhD
PhD, Physics, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1993
MS, Physics, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1989
Physical and Life Sciences
DeAnn Jordan
MA, English, California State University, Northridge, 2005
BA, English, Creative Writing, San Francisco State University, 1993
Written and Oral Communication
Kudisan Kai
BM, Music, Howard University, 1982
Cinema, Sound
Matt Kaluza
Doctorate of Natural Sciences, Ruprecht-Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany, 1990
BS, Physics, Edvard Kardelj University, Slovenia, 1963
Physical and Life Sciences
Chuck Kawal
BA, Recording Arts, Columbia College Chicago, 1986
Recording Arts
Jeff Kliment
MA, Art Education, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2016
BA, Broadcast Communication Arts, San Francisco State University, 1983
Recording Arts
Stephen Kniss
MFA, Cinema, DePaul University, 2017
BA, Digital Media, Vocal Performance, Eastern Mennonite University, 2011
Film and Cinema
Janna Lafferty, PhD
PhD, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Geography, Florida International University, 2018
MA, Religion, Duke University, 2013
BA, Study of Religion/Anthropology, University of San Diego, 2004
Social and Behavioral Sciences, Written and Oral Communication
Elizabeth Laidlaw
BFA, Theatre Arts, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1993
Film and Cinema, Acting
Leslie LaPage
MFA, Film and Video–Live Action, California Institute of the Arts, 1994
BA, Theatre Arts, California State University, Los Angeles, 1982
Cinema, Producing
Bradley LaRocco
BA, Liberal Arts, American Studies, Colorado State University, 2004
AAS, Film & Broadcast, Tribeca Flashpoint, 2014
Film and Cinema
Linus Lau
MFA, Film Production, University of Southern California, 2004
BA, Music Composition, Santa Clara University, 2000
Cinema, Sound
Jonathan LeMond
MFA, Film, Columbia University, 2002
BA, Political Science, Columbia University, 1994
Cinema, Directing
Tess Lesniak
MS, Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, 2012
BS, Biology, DePaul University, 2006
Physical and Life Sciences
David Lewis
MFA, Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles, 2002
BA, Radio-Television-Film, Temple University, 1989
Cinema, Directing
Fang Li
MFA, Art, Claremont Graduate University, 2016
BA, Studio Art, University of California, Riverside, 2013
Visual Effects, Animation
Jonathan London
MFA, Film Production, Columbia University, 2006
BA, Communications, University of Pennsylvania, 2001
Cinema, Directing, New Media
Katie Lord
BS, Advertising, North Park University, Chicago, 2009
Graphic Design + Interactive Media
Mark Lownentrout
MFA, Theater, University of Utah, 1995
BA, Music, California State University, Long Beach, 1982
Humanities
Yuri Lysoivanov
BA, Economics, Loyola University Chicago, 2010
BM, Music Synthesis, Berklee College of Music, 2005
Recording Arts, Acoustics
Philip Malamuth
MFA, Cinema Television, University of Southern California, 1986
BA, Psychology, University of Southern California, 1979
Cinema, Editing
Tom Malkin
MBA, Business Administration, Northwestern University, 2005
MLA, Liberal Arts, University of Chicago BS, Accounting, University of Illinois, 2002
BS, Accounting, University of Illinois, 1992
BA, Political Science, University of Illinois, 1992
Graphic Design + Interactive Media
Pete Markiewicz, PhD
PhD, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, 1984
BS, Biology, Loyola University, New Orleans, 1978
Physical and Life Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Graphic Design + Interactive Media
Alaric Martin
BA, Broadcast Communications, Columbia College Chicago, 1982
Film and Cinema, Editing
David Martin
MFA, Broadcast Cinema, Art Center College of Design, 2011
BFA, Cinematography, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 2006
Humanities, Cinematography, Visual Effects
Howard McCain
MFA, Film and Television, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, 1992
BFA, English, Bowdoin College, 1985
Cinema
Amera McCoy, PhD
PhD, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2018
MS, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, University of Phoenix, 2013
BA, Psychology, Aurora University, Aurora, IL, 2010
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Ed McGinty
MFA, Directing, Columbia University, 2006
BA, Business Administration, Temple University, 1989
Cinema, Directing
Andrew McNary, PhD
PhD, Physics, University of California, Riverside, 2005
MS, Soil & Water Sciences, University of California, Riverside, 2004
MS, Physics, University of New Orleans, 1999
BS, Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994
BS, Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994
Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences
Brian Mellen
MFA, Digital Cinema, DePaul University, 2014
BS, Journalism, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007
Film and Cinema, Editing
Evanthia Milara
MFA, Motion Pictures & Television, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, 1996
BFA, Graphic Design, Vakalo Art & Design College, Athens, Greece, 1986
Graphic Design
Steve Miller
BA, Telecommunications, University of Southern California, 1973
Cinema
Rick Mitz
MFA in progress, Vermont College of Fine Arts
Cinema, Screenwriting
Mikhail Morozov
MA, Education, Antioch University, 2008
MS, Education, Mathematics & Physics, Pridnestrovian State University, Republic of Moldova, 1977
Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences
James Napoli
MFA, Film, London Film School, 1984
BFA, Film, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, 1982
Humanities
Will Nedved
MFA, Film & Television Writing, University of Southern California, 2009
MA, Theatre Studies, University of New South Wales, 2002
BA, Theater Arts, University of Iowa, 2001
Theater History and Criticism, Humanities
Ahmad Nooraldeen
PhD, Philosophy, Anna University, India, 2009
MS, Physics, University of Technology, Iraq, 2001
BS, Physics, Ministry of Education, Iraq, 1984
Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences
Helen Oh-Conklin
MFA, Communication Design, Harrington College of Design, 2014
BFA, Fine Art, Columbia College Chicago, 2011
Art
John Otterbacher
MFA, Film, Vermont College of Fine Arts, 2015
MS, Communications, Grand Valley State University, 2005
BA, Film Production, Grand Valley State University, 2003
Film and Cinema
Suruchi Pahwa
MFA, Communication Design, Harrington College of Design 2014
BFA, Fine Art, Columbia College Chicago, 2011
Visual Effects
Sue Palmer
MFA, Cinema-Television, University of Southern California, 2009
BA, Theatre, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2000
Cinema, Screenwriting
Vicki Peterson
MFA, Writing for Stage and Screen, New Hampshire Institute of Art, 2015
BA, Theatre Arts, University of California, San Diego, 1995
Cinema, Screenwriting, Humanities
J Paul Preseault
MFA, Film, Columbia College Chicago, 2010
MA, Teachers of Educational Theatre in High School, Steinhardt School, New York University, 1994
BA, Sociology, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1989
Humanities, Literature Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences
John Quinn
BA, Film & Video Editing, Columbia College, Chicago, 1999
Cinema, Editing
Mica Racine
MFA, Creative Writing, Columbia College Chicago, 2000
BA, Mass Communications, Sioux Falls College, 1989
Written and Oral Communication, Literature Studies
Andy Rattinger
MFA, Directing, Columbia University, 2007
BA, Communications, Universidad Iberoamericana, 1997
Cinema, Editing
Vedran Residbegovic
BFA, Film, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001
BFA, Graphic Design, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001
Film and Cinema, Cinema and Media Studies
Amy Rising
MAM, Arts Management, Columbia College Chicago, 2006
BFA, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988
Film and Cinema
Alaric Rocha
MFA, Digital Cinema, DePaul University, 2014
BM, Music Composition, Lawrence University, 2002
Cinema, Editing
Barbara Romain
MFA, Otis College of Art and Design, 1995
BFA, Philadelphia College of Art, 1969
Art, Art History and Criticism
Chelsea Rowe
MFA, College Teaching: Art, Maryland Institute College of Art, 2014
BFA, Art, University of Florida, 2015
Art, Visual Effects
Kathleen Rowell
MFA, Professional Writing, University of Southern California, 1978
BA, Motion Picture/Television, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973
Cinema, Screenwriting
Mark-Austin Rowell
MFA, Theater Arts, San Diego State University, 2001
BA, Theater Arts, California State University, East Bay, 1998
Art, Art History and Criticism
Bill Rubenstein
MA, Cinema Television, University of Southern California, 1993
BA, Harvard College, 1978
Humanities, Cinema and Media Studies
Melissa Runnels
MA, Journalism, University of Southern California, 2014
BA, French, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2006
Humanities
Tim Rusin
BA, Recording Arts, Columbia College Chicago, 2004
Recording Arts
Milton Santiago
MFA, Motion Picture Production & Cinematography, University of Miami, 2005
BA, English & Communication Studies, Canisius College, 1997
Cinema, Cinematography
Ron Schmidtling
MS, Geology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1995
BA, Design Studies in Archeology & Paleontology, University of Southern Mississippi, 1985
Physical and Life Sciences
Anna Scott
MA, Humanities, University of Chicago, 2011
BS, Journalism, Boston University, 2002
Written and Oral Communication, Humanities
Kenneth Selden
MFA, Film, American Film Institute Conservatory, 1986
BA, Philosophy, Yale University, 1980
Cinema, Screenwriting
Christine Shin
MFA, Cinema-Television, University of Southern California, 2005
BA, Communication and English Literature, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2001
Cinema, Directing
Lauren Steffen
MFA, Film Production, University of California, Los Angeles, 2004
BA, Mass Media Communication and Theater, Ursinus College, 1998
Cinema, Editing, Sound
John Swanbeck
MA, Theater, University of California, Los Angeles, 2003
BS, Speech, Northwestern University, 1983
Cinema, Directing
Ben Sztajnkrycer
MFA, Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles, 2008
BA, Motion Picture/Television, University of California, Los Angeles, 1993
Cinema, Screenwriting
Susan Taaffe
MFA, Art, The Ohio State University, 1984
BFA, Drawing-Painting-Printmaking, The Ohio State University, 1980
Visual Effects, Animation
Chris Tedin
MFA, Art-Studio, School of Art and Design, Northern Illinois University, 1992
BA, Art, Gonzaga University, 1987
Visual Effects, Animation
James Teitelbaum
BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, Northeastern Illinois University, 2018
SA, Recording Arts, Full Sail University, 1993
Recording Arts
Bridget Terry
BS, Journalism, Northwestern University, 1974
Cinema, Producing
Daniel Tinkler
MA, Sound Arts and Industries, Northwestern University, 2018
BS, Audio Engineering, Illinois Institute of Art, 2014
Recording Arts
Vince Toto
BS, Communication and Filmmaking, State University of New York, 1985
Cinema, Cinematography
Jennie Lew Tugend
Art & Technique Filmmaking, London Film School
Cinema, Producing
Patrick Underwood
MFA, The American Film Institute Conservatory, 2008
BA, Cinema and Media Studies, The University of Chicago, 2003
Film and Cinema, Screenwriting
Anthony Vasto
BA, Film & Video, Columbia College, Chicago, 2000
Cinema
Katie Waddell
MA, Art History and Art Administration, 2014
BA, Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 2007
Art History and Criticism, Humanities
Ronald E. Wade
MFA, Computer Animation, Miami International University of Art and Design, 2008
BA, Art & Design, Columbia College Chicago, 1987
Visual Effects, Animation
Erin Washington
MLA, Acting, Harvard University, 2018
BFA, Acting, Purchase College, State University of New York, 2013
Mark Wassermann
MFA, Creative Writing, Arizona State University, 1993
BA, English, Skidmore College, 1989
Written and Oral Communication, Humanities
Samantha Kate Weisberg
MFA, Writing, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2007
BFA, Creative Writing, Roger Williams University, 2003
Written and Oral Communication, Humanities
Brandon Wilson
MFA, Film Production (Directing), University of California, Los Angeles, 1999
BA, African American Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, 1994
Humanities
James Zolliecoffer
MFA, Screenwriting, Loyola Marymount University, 2012
BA, Radio, TV & Film, University of Wisconsin-OshKosh, 1984
Cinema
Kenneth Zunder
BA, Harvard University, 1973
BA, Stanford University, 1976
Cinema
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At CCH, we believe it is important to take a stand by demonstrating our willingness to promote and inspire systemic change. We must speak honestly and truthfully to the ugliness of racism that permeates throughout our society today. It may be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but it is an all-too familiar reality for anyone living in this country with black or brown skin. Hiding from it, ignoring it, or being silent about it will not make it go away.
Learn MoreAt CCH, we believe it is important to take a stand by demonstrating our willingness to promote and inspire systemic change. We must speak honestly and truthfully to the ugliness of racism that permeates throughout our society today. It may be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but it is an all-too familiar reality for anyone living in this country with black or brown skin. Hiding from it, ignoring it, or being silent about it will not make it go away.
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