Variety Names Ringling College Film Program Head Mentor of the Year

Los Angeles-based Variety magazine has named Ringling College Film Program Head Bradley Battersby as the 2017 Variety Mentor of the Year.

“Since the inception of our Film Program ten years ago, Brad has built an environment of creative experimentation that allows our students to flex their storytelling muscles while developing professional-level production expertise,” said Dr. Larry R. Thompson, President of Ringling College. “We congratulate Brad on this singular recognition and thank Variety for honoring Brad as their 2017 Mentor of the Year.”

The article is available in the April 25^th issue of Variety magazine and online at VARIETY.com. Battersby, when asked about his teaching style, said, “In a film school environment, we get to experiment, we get to learn. I allow and encourage my students not to take the safe route.”

In speaking of this honor, he goes on to say, “Being named Variety’s Mentor of the Year is an incredible honor and something I couldn’t have achieved without my top-notch faculty and staff, amazing students, and a college like Ringling, unafraid of change, innovation and progress.”

“I allow and encourage my students not to take the safe route.”

…and that’s not all…

Also cited in the Variety article is Ringling College’s Studio Lab Program, created by the College and David Shapiro of Semkhor Productions, which has brought guest artists including Aubrey Plaza of “Parks and Recreation” and “The Magnificent Seven” director Antoine Fuqua to Ringling to work with students. In addition, students have earned professional credits in three in-house Studio Lab projects, including two web series created and directed by Justin Long and Dylan McDermott, and the Sundance independent feature “Dark Night,” directed by Tim Sutton.

About Ringling College of Art and Design

For 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ten disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information please visit the Ringling College website at www.ringling.edu, or on social media: Facebook, Instagram  and Twitter; or call 941.351.5100.

Source: 
Rich Schineller
941.780.8100
rschinel@ringling.edu