Florida Film Academy taps Dr. Phillips High School teacher for new post

Elliot Schwartz, owner of Schwartz Productions, joined Florida Film Academy this week as the director of development and global partnerships. 

“We couldn’t have asked for a better fit for our team,” FFA CEO Kay Hill said. “Elliot has a contagious passion for creative education and a wealth of experience in the industry. He’ll be a valuable resource for our students.”

Hill isn’t the only one who thinks so.

“One thing about Elliot Schwartz is his compassion for his students,” said Keith Galasso, the visual and performance arts magnet coordinator at Dr. Phillips High School. “Students are No. 1 with him, and his concern for them leaves the classroom. If they have any problem in life, he’s there for them ... that’s one thing about Elliot, he has a big heart.”

Galasso said Schwartz has spent time helping students deal with financial issues and even homelessness. Galasso said another noteworthy aspect about Schwartz is his dedication to his craft, which Schwartz has spent his whole life pursuing.

“I try to make (the program) as true to life as possible. I really try to run it that way. I teach the kids that you need to work with people that you may not like because that’s the real world. And sometimes the people you don’t like may be more talent than the people you do.”

Schwartz, 67, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Always a  creative soul, the film director and producer knew from an early age he wanted to be involved in the film industry. As a child, Schwartz spent his Saturdays at the local theater watching 25-cent cartoons.

Schwartz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the New York Institute of Technology. He got his first job in the industry as a graphic arts photographer in 1971 but quickly grew bored with a 9-to-5 and set off to travel.

After he attended Woodstock, Schwartz camped his way across the United States and finally settled down in West Orange.

Schwartz is married to Bonnie Schwartz and has a 20-year-old daughter, Samara.

Schwartz said the skills students learn in his film program go far beyond filmmaking. He tries to teach students communication and cooperation; things they can use no matter what industry they go into.

“I try to make (the program) as true to life as possible,” Schwartz said. “I really try to run it that way. I teach the kids that you need to work with people that you may not like because that’s the real world. And sometimes the people you don’t like may be more talented than the people you do.”