Norman Hollyn, a member of the Advisory Council for the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, died March 17. He was 66. Hollyn was a professor of cinematic arts and the inaugural holder of the Michael Kahn Endowed Chair at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
Hollyn was lecturing students from Tokyo University of the Arts in Yokohama, Japan, when he died, according to a social media post by Elizabeth Daley, dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Hollyn has been described as a thought leader around issues in both the old and new media worlds.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember our good friend, Norm Hollyn,” said Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Endowed Dean Chuck O’Connor. “Norm was a partner to our college in the creation of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts here at Nebraska, which is set to open this fall. For the last five years, his inspiration drove us to create what we believe will be a preeminent cinema and emerging arts program for the 21st century. Along with our faculty, we have been through a lot together trying to imagine something that has never been done before in higher education. I will miss his wise counsel and deep friendship. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as his USC School of Cinematic Arts family, as they grieve his loss.”
He was also a long-time film, television and music editor. His credits included “Sophie’s Choice,” “The Cotton Club” and “Heathers.” Hollyn was the author of “The Film Editing Room Handbook,” which was first published in 1986.
He specialized in curriculum design and worked with international institutions, including the Carson Center, to build or redesign their media programs.
“Norm Hollyn was our mentor and advisor, who had been involved with the formation of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts from the very beginning,” said Megan Elliott, founding director of the Carson Center. “We worked on the mission and vision of the Center together and workshopped the curriculum. He held open a space for innovation and experimentation to take place. Norm was a voice for students and faculty alike. He was wise counsel. He was hilariously funny. He was our friend, and he will be very, very missed.”