Dean, School of Film and Television
Award-winning film producer, Teri Schwartz was appointed the inaugural Dean of Loyola Marymount University's School of Film and Television (SFTV) on May 1, 2003, bringing with her a history of producing award winning feature films, robust connections to Hollywood and emerging media, and a vision to provide students with strong creative and practical skills that positions them for an enriching and rewarding life across the entire landscape of media. Commitment to story and storytelling grounded in humanism in all its forms has been a guiding principle in Dean Schwartz's life and provides much of the foundation for the school's future.
With the goal of making SFTV the preeminent model for media schools of the 21st century, Dean Schwartz is creating a school that serves as a beacon of light for the wonder of visual storytelling grounded in humanistic ideals, celebrating and exploring the human spirit in all its forms– delighting, entertaining, engaging and transforming audiences all at once.
Dean Schwartz's vision for SFTV stems, in part, from her long and varied hands-on experiences in the film industry. Beginning her career in the early 1970s with renowned independent filmmaker, Roger Corman and his New World Pictures, Schwartz learned the movie business from the ground up during the rollicking heyday of independent filmmaking.
Dean Schwartz took these skills and expanded upon them, spending the next three decades developing and producing hit movies for top actors, directors and writers, including the Golden Globe nominated "Sister Act," "Beaches," "The Out of Towners," "Nuts," "Hope," "Deceived" and "Life With Mikey." Her projects have garnered many nominations for Academy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy, MTV, New York Film Festival and CLIO awards. By the 1980s, Dean Schwartz was a pioneer producer in the field of visual effects, combining computer-generated animation with live action to win four Clios, the international advertising and design top award. During this time, she formed her own music video company, developing and producing videos that received many awards for artists such as Mick Jagger, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson, Christine McVie and Barbra Streisand.
In 1995, Dean Schwartz partnered with Goldie Hawn to form Cherry Alley Productions. As president and producer, Dean Schwartz oversaw the company's long-range plans with Hawn, and together they created and produced a diverse slate of successful high-end entertainment projects for film, television and music. "Teri Schwartz has thrilled me with her brilliance and her creativity, and most of all her enthusiasm," said Hawn. "She engages everyone with her optimism, and she always creates a joyful working relationship with her business associates and co-workers. Teri is truly the best friend anyone could ever wish for. I am so excited and proud for my good friend."
Currently under the banner, Teri Schwartz Productions, she has feature film projects in development, including the novel, Shockproof Sydney Skate, with a script adapted by Harry Potter screenwriter, Steve Kloves with Sydney Pollack to direct.
At LMU, Dean Schwartz is developing and advancing a unique and differentiated vision for SFTV, an inspiring and challenging curriculum and a strong strategic plan. In turn, she looks forward to the school becoming the destination of choice for the next generation of innovative film, television and new media artists who will help to shape our culture positively with powerful new images and stories. Says Dean Schwartz, "We are poised to accept this challenge at an important intersection in our cultural history. We intend to deliver on the promise of our vision by nurturing and developing remarkable talent whose powerful new images and stories will help us be a leading voice in the creation of the creative global consciousness and community of the future."
Dean Schwartz received her B.A. from UCLA, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude in English Literature. She received her M.A. in film from the prestigious University of London.