Bennett E. McClellan M.F.A. ’89

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Bennett McClellan is “the single most outstanding graduate student with whom I have worked in my years at UCLA,” in the words of producer and director George Schaefer, who serves as associate dean for the School of Theater, Film and Television. McClellan “thinks big.” When he saw that the Film and Television Producers Program had no student-generated production project of its own in which future producers could work with production and writing students in a hands-on collaboration, he created one. The result: “Good News, Bad News,” a situation comedy that has been broadcast nationwide on the National College Television Network. McClellan put the series together, produced it, cast it and directed some of the episodes, even though the department gave him no budget or organized support. The sitcom was not only a success, but it also gave some 100 graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in an actual production. McClellan brought out the best in his student colleagues.

Friends describe McClellan as a thoughtful and nurturing human being whose wry sense of humor put his sitcom project over the top. Throughout his UCLA studies, McClellan worked 20 hours a week as an entertainment business consultant to support himself and his family, having previously earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. McClellan has also given freely of his time and energy to assist other student and community projects, including the UCLA soap opera, “University,” Bruin Youth Theater and the Los Angeles Children’s Museum.