Title: Professor of Cinema Practice
Company: University of Southern California
Location: Beverly Hills, California, United States
David H. Balkan, Professor of Cinema Practice at the University of Southern California, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in the field of Cinematic Arts.
Mr. Balkan’s career in cinematic arts is marked by a tenure in academia that spanned over 15 years. As a professor of cinema practice at the school of cinematic arts at the University of Southern California from 2003 to 2022, he taught both undergraduate and graduate students, focusing on the writing of screenplays and producing while collaborating with experts in sound, photography and acting. Mr. Balkan’s expertise in teaching the art and craft of showrunning and executive producing in cinema and television has been widely recognized, lauding him as an expert in his field.
Mentoring was a central aspect of Mr. Balkan’s academic career. He guided students through the unpredictable landscape of the entertainment industry, addressing their concerns about financial burdens, student loans and the pressure to meet family expectations. He also encouraged students to prioritize passion over financial security, urging them to honor their unique life journeys and experiences as the foundation for their storytelling. Notably, many of Mr. Balkan’s former students have gone on to achieve significant success in their fields, earning prestigious positions. He takes great pride in knowing that his mentorship has served as a beacon of hope for those who doubted their potential, and he values the lasting friendships and connections forged with his students.
Before pivoting to education, Mr. Balkan spent over 25 years as a writer and executive producer, with a focus on television drama. He also became active in hosting seminars on how to successfully pitch and present stories to studio and network executives. Moreover, Mr. Balkan has become recognized as a notable voice-over artist, lauded for recording numerous commercials both in the U.S. and abroad. He has also recorded five audiobooks for Time Life and Time Warner.
Mr. Balkan’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut. His education provided a strong foundation for his subsequent achievements in teaching and creative production.
Active in his professional community, Mr. Balkan is a member of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Producers Guild and the Writers Guild, reflecting his deep engagement with the industry. Beyond these affiliations, he has demonstrated civic commitment as the co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Disability. He is also a past president of the board of trustees for the School for Hearing-Impaired Children. These roles reflect Mr. Balkan’s dedication to advocacy and support for individuals facing challenges similar to those he has overcome.
Mr. Balkan’s creative works as a producer and writer are extensive. His humble beginnings included working as the associate producer for the 1981 film “Return of the Rebels” about an aging motorcycle gang. In 1986, he changed his trajectory by pivoting into television in various production roles. Among his most well-known contributions was “The Sentinel,” as a consulting producer, which ran for three seasons from 1996 to 1999, and “18 Wheels of Justice,” as the executive producer, which ran for two seasons from 2000 to 2001.
Mr. Balkan’s personal journey is one of resilience and determination. Born in 1944, just before the introduction of the polio vaccine and before key disability rights legislation, he contracted polio at three weeks old, resulting in a lifelong disability. Despite facing significant health challenges, including paralysis, pneumonia and pleurisy, Mr. Balkan survived against considerable odds. The unwavering support of his grandmother, a Jewish immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island as a child, played a pivotal role in shaping his outlook. When medical professionals predicted he would never walk or live independently, she rejected these limitations and instilled in him a belief that hard work could overcome any obstacle.
Throughout his life, Mr. Balkan encountered bias due to his disability but remained steadfast in pursuing fulfillment. Additionally, as a parent to a son born deaf, he has gained deeper insight into the complexities faced by individuals with disabilities. Reflecting on his career, Mr. Balkan credits his success to stubbornness, tenacity and a deliberate choice to believe in greater possibilities. He believes that perseverance through disappointment, rejection and insult, particularly in the entertainment industry, ultimately leads to achievement, even if success unfolds differently than imagined.
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