| | Event | |:---|:---| | Born | 1943, United States | | Vietnam War Service | 1965–1969 | | Founded Hollywood Film Institute | Late 1980s | | 2-Day Film School established | Early 1990s | | "America's #1 Film Instructor" award | 2012 |
While his initial film won festival awards but struggled to sell, the experience allowed him to connect with renowned producer-distributor Roger Corman, who mentored him on how to make and distribute feature films cost-effectively and profitably.
Dov S-S Simens is an American film instructor, author, and founder of the Hollywood Film Institute. He is best known for his "2-Day Film School" seminar, a condensed program teaching independent filmmakers how to produce, market, and profit from feature films outside the traditional studio system. He has been voted "America's #1 Film Instructor" by the U.S. National Association of Film Schools and is the author of the best-selling film industry guide From Reel to Deal . dov simens wikipedia
Often hosts his workshops and provides detailed breakdowns of his curriculum.
Simens has drawn criticism from some quarters for his unapologetically commercial and often blunt views on the film industry. His declaration that aspiring filmmakers should "forget art, it's business" and his characterization of short film production as "stupid" have generated debate, particularly within independent and state-supported film communities that prioritize cultural expression over commercial return. | | Event | |:---|:---| | Born |
is a celebrated American film instructor, author, and producer. He is best known for revolutionizing film education by creating the intensive " 2-Day Film School ," a crash course designed to teach aspiring filmmakers how to write, produce, direct, and sell a feature film in a single weekend. A former Vietnam War veteran who never formally studied film, Simens drew on his on-the-job experience working with legendary B-movie king Roger Corman to build a practical, business-focused curriculum.
Dov Simens may not have a Wikipedia page, but he has undeniably shaped the landscape of independent film over the past three decades. His legacy is built on three key pillars: He has been voted "America's #1 Film Instructor" by the U
Simens is a graduate of economics and mathematics. He resides in Los Angeles, California, and continues to conduct film seminars internationally.
His mantra is "Ready, Fire, Aim"—the opposite of traditional film school pedagogy.
