Is UW-M a good choice for a future film maker?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Wisconsin
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<p>My son is interested in UW for their English/Writing. We live in Fort Lauderdale and we are aware of UW's fine reputation, as a national university. However, we don't know anything specific about the university's Liberal Arts programs. Do students in the liberal arts get herded like cattle, or is there a more personal relationship between students and professors? Is there a thriving arts, theater and music scene? Do students commonly have intellectual discussions outside of class? </p>

<p>My son is looking for a well-rounded LA education with emphasis on writing. He hopes to go on to graduate Film school and he wants to develop his story telling talent as an undergraduate. Would UW-M be a good place for him?</p>

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<p>While I don’t have specific answers to your questions, you may be interested to note that Michael Mann, a UW-Madison graduate (BA English literature, 1965), is the director of Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, which was released today.</p>

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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I assume your son is maybe only a senior in HS this year and still has time to research schools?</p>

<p>My daughter was very unsure about what “kind” of school she wanted - meaning big vs small, university vs college etc. Basically she wanted to study Writing (not literature so much), Studio Art, and Psychology. The first two lead her to look at a lot of small (under 3000 kids) LACs in within 4 hours of Madison. There are some GREAT small LACs out there that have very strong Writing programs, and some also good film programs, although I didnt pay as much attention to that with it not being an interest of hers.</p>

<p>After visiting quite a few of the smaller LACs that she was accepted to, and visiting UW about 4 times, she ended up picking UW. One thing we found is that UW has a very good Writing program too, but it often gets overshadowed by the Sciences, Bio Tech, etc… </p>

<p>My cousin just got her Masters in Screen Writing out in California. One of her criteria for undergrad was to have Profs. from “The Iowa Writers Workshop”, which is considered by many to be one of the top Graduate Writing programs in the county. UW has I believe at least 3 Profs from there. They are also very strong on the Journalism side of writing too.</p>

<p>As far as the “LAC experience”, some of the things my daughter is considering or doing to get that feel are: Being part of what UW calls their RLC’s or Residential Learning Communities which are smaller groups of kids who live in the same dorm and have extra programming to get to know one another and have a common interest; Looked into being part of a “FIG” - First Year Interest Group - which about 20 kids take 3 classes together of which at least 1 is very small and personal; and taking classes in the ILS area which is “Integrated Liberal Studies” which seems very LAC like. These seem to lean towards the blending of subjects such as History, Writing, Politics, etc the same as many of the smaller LACs we visited promoted.</p>

<p>One other interesting thing is the Wisconsin State Journal just had a feature this week if you can find it online about a mid 80’s graduate that is returning home. She has gone very far in the film world.</p>

<p>As far as arts, music, etc… I think that is one of the biggest things that drew my daughter to UW instead of the smaller schools. One of the larger University Art Museums is on campus, great local music scene, lots of different “creative” things in and around campus. Never a lack of things to do no matter where your interests are.</p>

<p>Take Care,</p>

<p>DJD</p>

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<p>To the OP: You may not know this, but “UW-M” is the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.</p>

<p>UW-Madison is just “UW”.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much for your feedback. I wasn’t aware of the RLC concept. I think that my son would like the ILS program very much. UW sounds like an ideal place for him.</p>

<p>Sorry about the UW-M mistake. </p>

<p>I was just reading about Mr Mann. He was very complimentary about his experience at UW.</p>

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<p>For a school without a film production major the UW has seen more than its fair share of alums go on to great success in the film and TV industries. A large and growing group have an alumni group in LA dedicated to those in the entertainment industry.
UW does have a very good film study program, the second largest college film libary in the US and a major film festival annually.
Before tapes and DVDs killed it the on campus film showings were just amazing. </p>

<p>[Hollywood</a> Badgers - Connecting Badgers to Hollywood](<a href=“http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/]Hollywood”>http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/)</p>

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<p>Another pair of alums doing well in H’wood</p>

<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kitsis[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kitsis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thank you barrons. I just forwarded the link to my son. If you hear anything else along these lines, please let me know. </p>

<p>I want my son to visit the campus this summer.</p>

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<p>Also possibly useful to you as an area of study: [Undergraduate</a> areas of study | UW-Madison Deptartment of Communication Arts](<a href=“http://commarts.wisc.edu/undergraduate/areas/]Undergraduate”>http://commarts.wisc.edu/undergraduate/areas/)</p>

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<p>The LA Times liked Public Enemies</p>

<p>[Review:</a> ‘Public Enemies’ - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-enemies1-2009jul01,0,4191065.story]Review:”>http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-enemies1-2009jul01,0,4191065.story)</p>

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<p>UW-Madison is UW-Madison, not UW.</p>

<p>Barrons is on target. If you want porduction, however, there are better choices.</p>

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<p>Commonly known as UW, though, by generations of state residents and students. Doesn’t matter what the official line is, UW means Madison, even in other cities around the state with their own campuses.</p>

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<p>Totally forgot, but Erroll Morris the documentary film maker is also a Badger. </p>

<p>Just heard him on the radio talking about Robert McNamara and his film “Fog of War.”</p>