Originally from Southern California, I received my PhD from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. I teach cinema and media studies at Occidental College and Chapman University, and I’m the author of several works on cinema history.

My new book Movie-Made Los Angeles explores how L.A. became the center for American filmmaking during the early twentieth century.

I also co-host two monthly podcasts on film history and culture: Moving Histories with film professors Kim Nelson and Robert Burgoyne and This Movie Saved My Life with photographer Miles Fortune.

E-mail: JohnTraftonFilm@gmail.com