The Lafayette Entertainment Initiative has worked to bring movie productions like Secretariat to the Acadiana area. Now, UL Lafayette is taking some initiative of its own.
On Thursday, Oct. 28, the Board of Regents gave the university permission to add a new degree program: Moving Image Arts. The program comes at an odd time, as higher education across the state continues to face budget cuts, but Charles Richard, director of the new degree field, says the program had two things in its favor.
“It is a no cost program. That’s one of the reasons we were able to go through with it,” says Richard. “There is a moratorium on new academic programs. To my knowledge, this is the only new program that the Board of Regents has approved. They made an exception on the grounds of economic development.”
According to Richard, creating the program was simply a matter of pooling resources the university already had. Classes offered in other departments like English, visual arts and communications will all fall under the new major.
Richard says the university also worked closely with the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, an LEI partner, to develop this program and see it succeed.
“There is an acute need in the workforce of the film industry in Louisiana. The industry has grown to the point where Louisiana is third behind only New York and California in film production,” says Richard.
Many universities in Louisiana offer some form of film discipline, but Richard says UL’s program will differ by providing students with an education that will prepare them for a number of different opportunities from advertising to tourism. Students will be able to register under the new major for the upcoming spring semester.
“Absolutely a win-win for the students and people of the area,” says Richard. “The demand is growing in Acadiana, and students will find that they not only have a new degree option but a lot more career options.”
... written by ragin_cajun , October 29, 2010 - 11:30 pm
UL has shut down its philosophy major, but is adding a " Moving Image Arts" degree. Philosophy determines the fate of men and nations. Movies don't.
If UL were a vocational school, this'd be great. But it's not, it's a university. This is another example of the complete decay of the greatest nation the world has ever seen. How far we've fallen.....
... written by really? , October 30, 2010 - 02:53 pm
Uh, yea and the only person in town to get a job because of a philosophy major would be the person teaching philosophy at the university.
When a production company brings a movie to town, like Secretariat, they spend millions of dollars here. That money is paid to local businesses and stays here. But production companies need skilled labor, or they will not keep coming.
I dunno about you, but I'd rather see our graduates making money making movies than starving in the gutter trying to figure out why they can't get a job with their shiny new philosophy degree.
You really crack me up RC.
... written by cochon coussan , October 31, 2010 - 12:45 am
Yet another example of the complete lack of understanding of the difference between "training" and "education." Chickens can be trained, only people can be educated. The film industry is a "flavor of the week" fascination for Lafayette. It's a lot of fun to go to Cannes at the taxpayer's expense, and much easier than tackling the tough issues. The fact is that the film industry will go anyplace that is willing to give them enough money incentives. They aren't facinated with Lafayette for any other reason. Sorry that UL has bought into this short term foolishness at the expense of traditional programs.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , October 31, 2010 - 01:16 am
There is a sucker born every day and if you can keep em uneducated you can trade the farm for an un disclosded sum under the table and an unrealistic sum in the public and you yourself live richly everafter, "Now would'nt that make a good happy ending movie, and we have all the players hetre locally, Lafayette is so rich in psdeudo-fantasy people. And that is why a Movie Image Arts Degreee, makes all the sense in the world, then maybe the " scam of the HORSE fARM SALE WOULD SUCCEED, THE WAY TO GET AWAY WITH A SCAM, IS TO KEEP EVERYONE IN THE DARK, AND PREY ON THE IGNORANT.
... written by ragin_cajun , October 31, 2010 - 02:43 am
"complete lack of understanding of the difference between "training" and "education." Chickens can be trained, only people can be educated. "
SNAP!
So, are you still cracking up? Or do you think we should just turn ULL into a trade school?
... written by Limited Liability , November 01, 2010 - 01:11 pm
written by really?
1. "get a job because of a philosophy major would be the person teaching philosophy at the university."
2. "When a production company brings a movie to town, like Secretariat, they spend millions of dollars here. That money is paid to local businesses and stays here. But production companies need skilled labor, or they will not keep coming." -----------------------
As to 1. Most BA's in Philosophy go to other careers such as law, journalism, and even movie making. I know of a PhD geologist with an BA in Philosopy.
As to 2. Spend Millions? I doubt is was millions, nevertheless, most of the jobs are low paying and non-recurring. What do we do while waiting for the next film to be made here?
... written by James Melancon , November 01, 2010 - 05:28 pm
written by really? Uh, yea and the only person in town to get a job because of a philosophy major would be the person teaching philosophy at the university. -------------------
Philosophy can open you to critical thinking. So, it is obviously something you need to know.
... written by StreetBookSmart , November 01, 2010 - 06:25 pm
To pit the "Philosophy" against other "Practical" subjects deflects the focus from the real problem, which is not enough money going to education to support both.
Legalize and tax marijuana, with those funds dedicated solely to education, unlike what happened with the gambling revenues. Couple that with rededicating all the cigarette & liqour taxes, and we'll have the best education that sins can buy. We'll philosophize about the benefits and pitfalls, while creating documentary and dramatic films about the yin and yang of our HIGHly educated state, as we slowly sink into the Gulf of Enlightenment.
... written by Limited Liability , November 01, 2010 - 07:01 pm
written by StreetBookSmart
1. real problem, which is not enough money going to education to support both.
2. Legalize and tax marijuana, with those funds dedicated solely to education, unlike what happened with the gambling revenues. -----------------
1. More money will not improve education; a better student attitude will.
2. No problem with legalized marijuana. Nevertheless, I would require drug testing for all licenses, driver and anything else.
... written by StreetBookSmart , November 01, 2010 - 09:05 pm
I did not say that more money will improve education. The argument is framed as Philosophy vs. Film. Budget cuts are doing away with the Philosophy Dept. In my little old opinion, there should be enough money to support the Philosophy Dept.. By not providing Philosophy, devalues the breadth of education. UL has chosen Film, as it may attract more students and get more financial support from the private sector than does Philosophy. It is a decision based on money and thus, a choice on the type of knowledge it wishes to impart as education. I think it is unfortunate, pun intended. Education is top heavy with Administration as is State Governement, in my opinion.
As far as the value quality of education, that depends on the quality of the teachers, the quality of students, the quality of the material being presented, and the quality of the relationship. Money is a component but not a guarantee of outcome.
... written by Unempirical Observer , November 05, 2010 - 05:08 am
I sorta want to agree with RC on this one...but I would say that independent film does play a major role in the thoughts of a society and nation as do all artistic movements.
Philosophy in fact plays a key role in setting the table for the discourse of the coffee table conversation that goes on amongst our thinkers, our artists, our inventors, our public servants, and hopefully, even our engineers, biologists and other theorists.
All education can be of value and all students should have a good background in a well rounded education.
With sadness, I can say that we do not have this luxury. Education is far too tailored, too narrowed, and goal-oriented, especially for the younger children. We've seen the shortcomings of this with test-score centric schooling that is going on this decade. We are seeing where this is taking us in higher ed. We citizens are increasingly, just the interchangeable cogs in a great machinery of money-making for others. Is that the measure of our liberty? Is that the sum total of self-determination? I don't think it should be. Providing us training for work without great thoughts does not make a great society. It makes us the evil empire we once and still so despise.
You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.
MAY 23 Here's a story in the Picayune about some statistics that must come as a blow to folks who believe that any private school can do a better job of educating kids than any public school: Danielle Dreilinger reports that only 30 percent of the voucher kids are passing. That's less than half of the state wide average, she says. It's an interesting statistic because most of the schools (if not all) taking voucher kids have never had their students' standardized test scores released to the public before.
MAY 23 Stephen Sabludowsky blogs on Bayou Buzz about auditor requests here. Recently the state GOP started crowing about a request from the Legislative Auditor, claiming they were being targeted because of their anti-tax stance. (Uh, your what?) Denial and hyperbole aside, the state Democratic party blew holes in that theory with an email announcing they'd received the same request, Sabludowsky writes here.
MAY 23 Jim Brown blogs about the senate race in this post. He says that, given Bobby Jindal's "lack of traction" on the national stage, it might make more sense for the governor to consider running against Mary Landrieu for the senate seat. Since Tim Teeple left the Cassidy team, it makes sense he might land on a Jindal for Senate team, Brown opines.
MAY 23 In this Louisiana Voice post, blogger Tom Aswell writes of rumors that his nemesis, state Superintendent of Education John White, may be soon departing Louisiana for a federal post. It's hard to believe, given his performance, Aswell says, but stranger things have happened. An anti-White BESE member says that, if true, White is quitting before he can be fired.
MAY 23 In this post on American Zombie, blogger Jason Berry writes about the Mother's Day shooting. Mayor Landrieu said that "this is not who we are," but the fact is, this is New Orleans, Berry writes. The violence infused in the city is the result of a culture created by "sins of omission or sins of commission," Berry writes. It's not a problem that can be solved by legislating, policing, praying or publicizing, he says: Someone's got to understand what's happening first.
MAY 23 This post in the Westside Journal tells us what Port Allen Mayor Deedy has been up to lately: vetoing ordinances, apparently. This story is most interesting, however, when it delves into a petition that has been circulating around the city lately. It accuses the former mayor of a lot of nasty things; the former mayor says it is full of lies and "broken syntax" which may be a larger offense in his eyes.
MAY 23 This editorial posted in The Advocate is a bit confusing. The writing is poor - definitely not up to the usual editorial writing standard there - and the point is hard to grasp. Apparently, the writer is saying that privatization of state efforts is OK, as long as there is oversight and transparency, but Jindal's not good at that, and the legislature shouldn't over-react. Okey Dokey. Can't they get one of them Pulitzer-winning people to write an editorial?
MAY 23 This post on The Lens gives you links to a new Google Earth tool that allows you to see any spot on earth transform over the past 30 years. Bob Marshall, who covers the coast for the paper, says that in the case of Louisiana's coastline, it's possibly something you don't want to see, because it's not a pretty picture. There are several clips here, showing critical areas erode away. For Marshall, it was vindication for all those times he was met with eye-rolling when he talked about erosion.
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
If UL were a vocational school, this'd be great. But it's not, it's a university. This is another example of the complete decay of the greatest nation the world has ever seen. How far we've fallen.....