"Paul Halmos died on October 2, 2006, at the age of 90. He was a master of mathematics in multiple ways, and he influenced mathematicians and mathematical culture throughout his career. Unlike most other master mathematicians, Paul’s legacy was not merely mathematics but rather advice and opinion about mathematical life—writing, publishing, speaking, research, or even thinking about mathematics. Paul wrote about each of these topics with an extraordinary mixture of conviction and humility. Paul Halmos’s writing affected the professional lives of nearly every mathematician in the latter half of the twentieth century, and it will continue to influence the profession for years to come".

—John Ewing

The 1999 interview with Paul Halmos that forms the backbone of I Want To Be A Mathematician: A Conversation with Paul Halmos was initiated to gather some comments from Halmos about R. L. Moore for the Educational Advancement Foundation’s (EAF) R.L Moore Legacy Project. Halmos was an advocate of the Moore method of teaching mathematics, and had been a friend of Moore’s. EAF commissioned Peter Renz and myself to do the interview at Halmos’s retirement home in Los Gatos, California. Having watched all the footage, I realized that Halmos had delivered something of lasting value to teachers and mathematicians. Everyone involved—Harry Lucas, Jr. and Albert Lewis of EAF, Don Albers from MAA, Peter Renz, and Paul Halmos himself—eventually agreed. I resolved to turn the rest of the interview into a film.

This 44-minute film contains a rare interview with Paul Halmos by Peter Renz, revealing his thoughts on
mathematics, and how to teach it and write about it. Five bonus features include comments by
mathematicians Robert Bekes, David Eisenbud, Jean Pedersen, and Donald Sarason about their
experiences with Halmos. Interviews with Halmos by Don Albers and Halmos's own writings are included
as PDF documents.

The depth and power of his personality infuse each section with a special Paul Halmos flavor that makes watching him on video such a compelling experience. His elegant performance shows his consummate skill as a communicator. I Want To Be a Mathematician: A Conversation with Paul Halmos has a message about successful communication for anyone who has ever addressed an audience, taught a class, or written an essay or article.

— George Csicsery, February 2009

***This copy is for purchase by institutions, colleges and universities, and those planning to show the film to a group. For purchase by individuals, please see: https://zalafilms.vhx.tv/products/i-want-to-be-a-mathematician-individual-purchase