Features
Frances Perkins (left), UW-Fond du Lac professor and "Test Day" director, explains her vision of the next shot to director of photography Mike Hartzel, a UW-Oshkosh alumnus and film professional from Minneapolis. Perkins received a UW Colleges Summer Research Grant that allowed students to collaborate with filmmakers from around the country.
Photo by Laurie Krasin
College students get hands-on experience in filmmaking
As Hollywood begins to "discover" Wisconsin, students at UW-Fond du Lac and UW-Oshkosh are getting hands-on experience in film production, preparing them for future careers right here in the state.
Film becomes a reality through a grant and collaboration
A UW Colleges Summer Research Grant awarded to UW-Fond du Lac communication and theatre arts Professor Frances Perkins made possible a collaboration between the two universities to produce a short film project entitled "Test Day."
Not only did the institutions collaborate on resources and facilities, Perkins' primary collaborator on the film project, UW-Oshkosh radio-TV-film Professor Troy Perkins, is also her husband. The "Test Day" film is the third collaboration for the Perkins team. Troy served as the producer on this project, while Frances took a turn at the creative side of directing.
Students and professionals make a film together
During the filming, an ordinary college classroom at UW-Fond du Lac was transformed for a week into a film set as students worked side by side with seasoned film professionals. Students were part of the entire process from developing the script to production to film editing.
"Filmmaking, by its very nature, is a collaborative art form," notes Perkins. "The film professionals love the experience. They donate their time and come back year after year to work on these projects."
Developing skills and talent here in Wisconsin
Tax incentives that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2008, are making the state more attractive to the film industry. And projects like "Test Day" are providing UW students with invaluable hands-on experience.
"These types of opportunities are important to help fill a growing need for students and graduates with filmmaking experience in the growing Wisconsin film industry," Perkins says. "Students won't have to take off for L.A."
Whoops! He forgot to study for the big math test
"Test Day" chronicles the panic of an adult student with family and work responsibilities as he arrives at his university math class to find that it is the day of a big math test. Perkins has had this script idea in her mind since she started teaching nontraditional students.
Christina Salinas, a sophomore at UW-Fond du Lac, jumped at this exceptional opportunity. Although Salinas jokes about her small role as the "Pencil-sharpening Student," she can hardly contain her admiration for Frances, her former speech professor.
"When Frances got the grant, she was running down the hall yelling 'Christina, I got the grant to make the film!'" Salinas recalls. "So when I saw the poster [for auditions] I thought, 'I definitely have to do this.'"
Once completed this fall, the film will be entered in regional and national film festivals.
For more information:
www.testdayfilm.com
By Laurie Krasin, director, university relations, UW-Fond du Lac, with Sarah Krasin, sophomore, Marquette University
UW Colleges Summer Research Grants
The UW Colleges Summer Research Grants program provides UW Colleges faculty the opportunity to pursue summer research and professional development activities. The grant carries a $4,000 stipend. Seven grants were awarded for summer 2008.
The program was piloted in 2006 and nine grants were awarded. No grants were awarded in 2007 due to budget restrictions. Grant applications are reviewed by the UW Colleges Senate Professional Development Committee and recommendations are then forwarded to the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
One goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for UW Colleges faculty to collaborate on research and professional development activities within or outside of the UW System. Another goal is to provide opportunities for UW Colleges faculty to conduct research on a given topic. At the end of the research project, recipients submit a report summarizing the results of their projects. In the case of the "Test Day" project, this will also include submission of the final film.
By Laurie Krasin, director, university relations, UW-Fond du Lac
For more information:
Rex Hieser
Professional Development Coordinator
UW Colleges
(920) 832-2878
rex.hieser@uwc.edu