Alan Bloom

INTRODUCTION

I am a professor specializing in film and video production in the Department of Television, Film and Media Studies. I have been a university professor for the last 43 years. I have been on the faculty here since 1981, with two years leave (82-84) to work as Program Director in charge of the Video Center at The American Film Institute. Prior to joining the faculty at CSLA I taught at Temple University in Philadelphia, West Virginia State College and California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. As a director, producer and/or writer I have made more than 300 films and video tapes in the last 52 years.

TEACHING INTERESTS

During my career I have taught a wide range of film and video production and studies classes at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. I enjoy teaching film and video production in a variety of creative environments.

I seek out unique learning situations at every opportunity and from 1986-2005 I was involved with the CSU Summer Arts program , first at Cal Poly SLO (86-87), then at Humboldt State (88-95), Cal State Long Beach (96-98) and Fresno State (2005). At Summer Arts we were able to create a one-of-a-kind high intensity hands-on workshop for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in professional 35mm motion picture production techniques. This groundbreaking program attracted the sponsorship of major entertainment industry companies like Kodak, Fuji, Panavision, Sony, Warner Bros., Avid, Mole Richardson, Canon, Kino Flo, Chapman and Fotokem. 

I integrate my production with my teaching. My crews are almost always made up of at least 80% students and former students. In this way I provide my advanced students with real world opportunities while at the same time giving them an opportunity to begin networking with professionals and former students already working in the field. 

PROFESSIONAL/CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Film is the most collaborative art form and requires the coordinated efforts of writers, cinematographers, directors, performers and others. My film and video works include substantial collaborative work with artists from theater, music and dance. I have created music video and dance works with artists like Bobby McFerrin and choreographer Peter Pucci. I have been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful artists including Edward James Olmos, John Wesley Harding, Kristin Hersh, LaVar Burton and Vilmos Zsigmond.

During the last five decades a significant portion of my work has been documentaries and music videos.  The music videos allow me to set aesthetic challenges for myself while engaging in interesting collaborations. I love to use color and visual texture as a lens on the quality of performance and a use of dreamlike spaces.

Through the documentaries I can explore things of interest to me (usually socio-political issues, education, human rights, healthcare, the arts or developments in film and video production),  In addition to my other projects I have created public service campaigns promoting education, human rights and health

A Representative Selection of Recent Production Activities

(1987-2016)