TCM and the American Film Institute (AFI) proudly present AFI'S MASTER CLASS: THE ART OF COLLABORATION, a unique and extraordinary series exploring some of the most distinguished film partnerships of recent times. The series, which began broadcasting on TCM in 2011, was filmed before a live audience of AFI Fellows studying filmmaking at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. Each installment features a pair of cinema artists reflecting upon their collaborative process, discussing their own films and others that have inspired them. They present clips from these movies to illustrate various aspects of filmmaking and the interaction between creative partners.

Each program concludes with a Q&A session with AFI Fellows. Master classes are a core part of the curriculum at the AFI Conservatory, which offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines and has been named the No. 1 film school in the world by The Hollywood Reporter.

First in the series is The Art of Collaboration: Steven Spielberg and John Williams (2011), focusing on the duo whose regular and ongoing collaboration has covered a span of more than 40 years and encompassed many Oscar-winning films. This episode was directed by Robert Trachtenberg. Spielberg begins the conversation by noting that his partnership with Williams is "synonymous with the way directors and composers have worked throughout our entire cultural history and heritage." He goes on to remark that one of the greatest honors he ever received was when Williams agreed to score The Sugarland Express (1974), Spielberg's first theatrical film. (This movie will precede the screening of the Spielberg/Williams special, at 8 p.m. ET.)

By Roger Fristoe