Humanism and Integrative Art in a Global Context
When I entered the MFA program at Anaheim University’s Akira Kurosawa School of Digital Filmmaking, I already held a PhD, a Doctor of Science degree, an MD, and a law degree with honours. I had also taught at a medical university. So I have personal learning and teaching experience in different academic institutions.
What I found at Anaheim University was not only a film-making program, but a serious humanistic approach to cinema and education.
I found teachers, learned from them, and the experience became something truly meaningful.
Professor Ken Goin’s screenwriting course, through drama, character, conflict, and the hero’s journey, helped me understand not only storytelling, but also many things about business, work, and people. It helps me every day, not only in art. He gave personal attention to every student, including weekly one-on-one time, not because he had to, but because he genuinely wanted students to learn. He later became my thesis mentor.
I am also grateful to Professor Rafael Rafael, who taught film theory, global context and international film business with clarity and through examples. He is also deeply involved in helping people with disabilities, which resonates with my life mission, and his humanistic attitude was present in his teaching. During a difficult moment in my studies, he supported me personally and helped me continue.
Professor David Desser gave us a strong foundation in film history, aesthetics, and a broader understanding of cinema and art philosophy. I deeply respect his knowledge and wisdom. He taught us to think and to see.
I also remember Alison Marek, who taught with great energy and helped me look at the world with wide-open eyes. With Ryan McKinney, I made my first award-winning short film, created to inspire children to work toward achieving their kind dreams.
After graduation, David Bracey continues to stay in touch and support graduates with their careers, which means a lot.
I know it is not common to list people in a review, but in this case I think it matters.
A film school is not only about learning how to make something look modern or nice. There are many online courses for that. It is about the Greek understanding of beauty, when you have a moment of insight and truth through a piece of art or the journey of creation.
At this school, I learned to ask not only “how do we make it?” but also “why do we make it?”
For me, Anaheim University’s Akira Kurosawa School carries an important part of Kurosawa’s legacy: humanism, discipline, and innovation.
In a time of rapid change, including AI, that humanistic foundation feels especially timely.
I am grateful for this education and for the people who made it meaningful. It is with me every day and every hour.
Now I am running my own business related to tremor and Parkinson’s non-invasive MRgFUS neurosurgery (tremor.care), which is built on humanistic values and serves people. Many of its values and ideas were shaped while I was studying there.
Thank you, my teachers