Filmmaker and educator Frank Patterson assumed leadership of the FSU Film School in June of 2003. He succeeded Dr. Raymond Fielding, who retired after thirteen years as Dean of the school. Patterson came to The Film School after serving as Associate Dean and Director of the Film School at Chapman University in Orange, California. He taught film for fifteen years at Florida State University, Baylor University and The University of Texas in Austin. He also served as President of the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood.