In Memoriam - John Hewitt

On December 10, 2025 John Hewitt passed away, surrounded by family.

John was part of the BECA family 1974-1997. In that time, he taught thousands of students, primarily documentary production, and encouraged each of them to be creative and find their story. His textbook: Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary Field Guide (Oxford University Press, 2009), co-authored with University of California professor and documentarian Gustavo Vazquez, is used in universities throughout the United States. 

John was a prolific creative; his documentaries include: 

•             2010 Deadline Every Second (60 min), Co-producer and Editor.

•             2005 Smokestack Lightnin’:The Life of Howlin’ Wolf (60 min), DP & Director. Slated for PBS.

•             1999 Landmines of the Heart: Cambodia’s Struggle for Reconciliation (60 min), Co-director, co-producer, writer and editor. For PBS Plus, KQED

In his own words:

Forty years as documentary producer, editor and shooter.

Thirty-two years teaching broadcast communications at San Francisco State University

Thirteen years teaching at Stanford Mass Media Institute

Thirteen years as television news producer.

Four years as newspaper reporter, magazine editor

Author of three television news textbooks

Four difficult years as a snarky novelist: Stranger in Baja, Under the Padre's Thumb and Drone Baloney

John left a legacy and touched countless lives. He will be deeply missed. 

His final legacy: a tree planted in his memory legacy.com (search John Hewitt)

(you can also read more about him on our People page)