A graduate of Hacettepe University Conservatory of Performing Arts Theatre Department, Aclan Bates later received an MA in Directing for Theatre and another in Theatre Education. He was a leading actor and director for the Turkish National Theatre in Ankara, directing Jean Paul Sartre's "Flies" and Bertolt Brecht's "The Good Person of Szechuan." After looking at the world through the lens of a camera, he decided that directing film could be far more exciting than working on the stage. To that end, Aclan came to California and completed an MFA in Film Directing at American Film Institute. He went on to win Best Short at the Ankara International Film Festival with his thesis film, "Condemned." The Turkish National Theatre then invited him to direct their entry to the Black Sea Coast International Theatre Festival. Aclan undertook the full musical production of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," receiving critical acclaim and an invitation to open the fall theatre season with the production at Ankara's Grand Theatre. His production of Kafka's "The Trial" at Write Act Repertory received rave reviews in Los Angeles, a daring and unique project. Aclan directed the first Turkish film, Broken Angel (Melegin Sirlari), in Los Angeles Holywood.