John Cameron Mitchell brings punk creativity and mentorship to the classroom for the first time
John Cameron Mitchell is one of the illusive indie artists who has become a household name through his unwavering authenticity.
His belief in telling stories for story's sake, and trusting the impulse to create, has led to a true cult following, particularly around his creation of the 2001 film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." The raw story was adapted for Broadway, winning many Tony awards, and still maintains a hardcore fan base.
"I'm reminding students what punk really means-making things outside the system, for no apparent reason except the beauty and usefulness of it," Mitchell said. "That's what 'Hedwig' was, that's what 'Shortbus' was. They were made for friends and community, not for commerce-and because of that sincerity, they resonated far beyond what I imagined."
Mitchell is the John H. Mitchell Visiting Professor in Media Entertainment in the Department of Film, Television, and Media at the University of Michigan and is teaching a fall course called "Problemagic Cinema."
Taking place at the iconic State Theatre in Ann Arbor, the course explores the history of cinema through the lens of diverse aesthetics, production modes and creative processes, and will culminate with each student creating their own short film.
Mitchell has selected a roster of films that place a deliberate focus on artistic authenticity, resourcefulness and cultural context rather than mainstream polish, and which resonated with him during pivotal moments in his life and career, like "A Moment of Innocence," "All That Jazz," "The Lives of Others" and "A Woman Under the Influence."
Notably, many of his selections were made inexpensively, but without sacrificing their emotional or cultural power.
"The specialness of a small film can stay with you your whole life. The good stuff can come from limited resources-from sincerity; from making something because you have to," he said.
Mitchell also emphasized that his goal is to inspire creative agency among his students, particularly at a time when streaming platforms have made it harder for independent voices to be seen.
"Anyone can make a film now- but not everyone has the skills," he said. "You still have to practice writing, directing, working with actors, editing, music. But that's the beauty of it: Film is one of the last truly collaborative art forms. It's not just about breaking into the industry-it's about finding your story and telling it your way.
"Creativity right now is our only active antidepressant. Making something with your friends-that's the most powerful mood lifter there is."
In addition to his work in the classroom, Mitchell is the lead artist facilitator of the U-M Arts Initiative's Student Creative Fellowship, which helps students from all campuses and backgrounds turn their creative ideas into reality. The resulting projects will be part of a public showcase that will take place on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Mitchell expects the final showcase to span a wide range of deeply personal, interdisciplinary projects and mediums.
"I wanted to remind students that narrative storytelling doesn't have to live only on film. It can happen in theater, in podcasts, even on unexpected platforms. The story finds its form," he said.
Mitchell encourages each fellow to pursue an idea that feels urgent or emotionally true to them, reflecting his emphasis on "art as an act of generosity."
In his eyes, the fellowship is designed to provide space and mentorship for "figuring out what kind of artist you want to be," rather than reaching an end goal of producing a polished product.
"My role is more like a spiritual godfather-making sure they feel supported, inspired and reminded that art is an honorable calling, not a luxury," he said.
His work is aimed at guiding students through "the chaos of early creation," helping them trust instinct over perfectionism, and encouraging creative risks. In his words, it's about building "creative confidence"-learning to translate emotion into the work, and to make something "beautiful or funny or strange," even with limited resources.
"Ann Arbor has been incredibly responsive-from theater and film to performance art and gender studies. It just felt natural to come here," Mitchell said. "This is my first real class that I've taught, and with the parameters I've created, it makes me want to do more. I've really been enjoying it."
