School of Cinematic Arts Directory Profile

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James Gardner

Adjunct Professor

Affiliated Divisions:

Division of Film & Television Production

James Gardner most recently was the Director of Television Studies at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Holding degrees from the Yale School of Drama (MFA in Directing), American Film Institute (Certificate in Directing), and the University of Pittsburgh (MA in Theatre and BA in Writing), Gardner is a director and producer for television and theatre. Television directing credits include episodes of COACH, MY SISTER SAM, BABY BOOM, DEAR JOHN, FAMILY MAN, THE POPCORN KID, McGEE AND ME, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSIE, THE BAND, and GREAT DECISIONS.  He has directed productions for the Alley Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Tiffany Theatre, Friends and Artists Theatre, and the Bermuda Festival. He was the founding artistic director of Pittsburgh’s Soho Repertory Theatre, the producing artistic director of the Red Barn Theatre, and the artistic director of the Ensemble Company for the Performing Arts. Formerly Director of Television Studies at The Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, he has also taught at American Film Institute, Cal Arts, UCLA, Carnegie-Mellon University, University of Texas (Austin), Cal State Northridge, Cal State Poly-Pomona, Catholic University of America, University of Pittsburgh, Community College of Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Gardner has been affiliated with the New York Television Festival since its inception as a judge, panelist, moderator, and artist. Ten dramas he has produced have been honored as finalists in the NYTVF’s Independent Pilot competition, with UNIVERSITY PLACE being honored as festival winner. Gardner is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a 2009 ATAS Faculty Fellow. He is a proud member of the Directors Guild of America.