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 - 06:30 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 - 09:53 am
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 30, 2010 - 07:45 pm
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 30, 2010 - 08:16 pm
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 30, 2010 - 09:43 pm
"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 - 08:11 am
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 - 12:28 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 - 01:25 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 - 02:01 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 - 04:05 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 - 12:08 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.
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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.....