UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television Listening Exercise

Attendees at the chancellor’s Listening Exercise with UCLA Theater, Film & Television (TFT) on May 2, 2025 expressed their appreciation for the event. They highlighted the collaborative efforts of TFT with other schools and within the UCLA campus community. They mentioned their various leadership councils that meet frequently and emphasized the importance of collaboration across schools, citing a successful 20-year relationship with the School of Engineering.

One speaker also acknowledged the challenges faced by TFT in terms of their aging facilities and asked for the new leadership’s commitment to addressing them. One speaker expressed the need to align TFT’s strategic efforts with UCLA’s Strategic Plan. One speaker also raised concerns about the reliance on staff and faculty volunteer work to support TFT’s strategic pillars, questioning how the administration could support those goals. Another speaker expressed enthusiasm for the potential for new work at the intersection of technology and art within their field. A speaker asked how UCLA planned to protect artistic freedom while supporting students and faculty engaged in boundary-pushing work, highlighting the vulnerability of the arts in the current climate.

The conversation collectively highlighted a commitment to collaboration, a desire for support and resources, and a recognition of the challenges and opportunities facing TFT within the broader context of the university.

Themes

• Collaboration: The potential for collaboration across different schools and departments within the university was discussed, sparking optimism about the future. The importance of strong relationships between different schools, such as the 20-year partnership between Theater, Film & Television (TFT) and the School of Engineering, was highlighted.
• Innovation: Discussion focused on the need to foster innovation and explore new ideas, particularly at the intersection of technology and art.
• Strategic Plan: Discussions focused on the university’s Strategic Plan and how different units are aligning their efforts with its five pillars. The role of faculty and staff in implementing the strategic plan was highlighted, and concerns were noted about the reliance on volunteer work in executing TFT’s strategic goals. A question was asked about how best to align UCLA’s overall strategic plan with TFT’s strategic priorities in the coming years. 
• Artistic and Academic Freedom: The importance of protecting artistic and academic freedom and supporting boundary-pushing work in the arts, television, movies, and entertainment was discussed. 
• Facilities: Concerns were expressed about the state of the facilities and buildings, particularly in relation to the needs of the TFT school.
• Technology and Art: The intersection of technology and art, particularly in fields like cinematography, was discussed.
• Dialogue across Difference: The importance of fostering an environment of open communication and respectful disagreement was discussed, as well as the need to empower everyone to voice their opinions.
• Shared Interests: Common interests and goals, such as a passion for film and the arts, were discussed, and these were identified as unifying factors.
• TFT’s Future Vision: Speakers asked about the school’s rankings and how they could be elevated. Speakers were interested in knowing how the new UCLA leadership envisions championing the arts, television, and film on campus, not only as an enrichment but also as an engine of research, public service, and economic impact. 
• Importance of Philanthropy: Due to recent budget concerns, one speaker recommended a greater focus on philanthropy, which could drive bold, creative visions and help overcome infrastructure, budget, and other financial challenges.