Producer Barbara Boyle has been named chair of the UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. The announcement was made April 28 by Robert Rosen, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
“Barbara Boyle’s stellar career embodies the school’s commitment, combining the highest standard of professionalism with an uncompromising spirit of independence,� Rosen said.
Consistently ranked among the top programs nationally, the department offers courses of study in production/directing, animation, producing, screenwriting and critical studies.
Alumni include such notables as Allison Anders, Charles Burnett, Francis Ford Coppola, Alex Cox, Dean Cundey, Moctesuma Esparza, Todd Holland, David Koepp, Gregory Nava, Alexander Payne, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tim Robbins, Paul Schrader, Brad Silberling, Penelope Spheeris and Audrey Wells.
Boyle was most recently president of Valhalla Motion Pictures, a leading producer of films and television programs for the worldwide market. The company’s films include “The Hulk,� set for release in June; “True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers� for ITVS; and “Clockstoppers�; as well as the television show “Adventure Inc.�
During her distinguished career, Boyle has produced several feature films, including “Instinct,� “The Hi-Line,� “Bottle Rocket,� “Mrs. Munck,� “Eight Men Out� and “Phenomenon,� one of the 10 top-grossing pictures in 1996.
Before joining Valhalla, she co-founded and headed Sovereign Pictures Inc., which financed and distributed internationally 25 films, including “My Left Foot,� “Cinema Paradiso,� “Reversal of Fortune,� “Impromptu,� “Hamlet� and “The Commitments.� Sovereign’s pictures were nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won four.
Boyle also served as executive vice president of production with RKO Pictures, which produced “Plenty,� “Half Moon Street� and “Hamburger Hill.�
From 1982 to 1986, she was senior vice president of worldwide production at Orion Pictures Corp., where she supervised such hits as “Desperately Seeking Susan,� “The Terminator,� “Platoon� and “Robocop.�
Earlier, Boyle led Roger Corman’s New World Pictures Inc. as its chief operating officer and executive vice president. There, she was responsible for the acquisition of U. S. distribution rights to such distinctive films as “The Story of Adele H.,� “The Tin Drum,� “Cries and Whispers� and “Breaker Morant.�
Boyle began her career as corporate counsel for the independent production and distribution company American International Pictures, where she served until 1965.
In 1967 she entered private practice as a partner in the entertainment law firm of Cohen & Boyle.
A charter member of Women In Film, she was the organization’s president in 1977–78 and a board member from 1990–93. In 2000 she received the prestigious Crystal Award, for helping expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.
In 1987 she was named Alumna of the Year by the UCLA School of Law, where she is a founding member and current co-chair of the Entertainment Advisory Council.
She serves on the board of Independent Feature Projects West and was president from 1994–99. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on their executive branch committee.