University of Texas creates a mini-Hollywood of its own

The University of Texas film school has turned out some high-profile alumni, including actor Matthew McConaughey and directors Robert Rodriguez and Richard Linklater. But it's never had students working on Hollywood-level feature films for credit. Until now.

Going where no film school has gone before, the university and a newly formed company, Burnt Orange Productions, have created a partnership to make independent films.

Students will work with professionals on $1 million to $3 million feature films and, ideally, those films will be successful enough to generate cash for Burnt Orange and the university's Film Institute, a new branch of its College of Communications.

"We definitely are trying to create a new model," says Thomas Schatz, the institute's executive director. According to Dr. Schatz, film schools tend to be "hermetically sealed" environments that don't adequately train students for the realities of filmmaking.

The school's new independent movie studio has created a buzz among industry professionals, says Schatz. "They would love to see film schools better prepare students for the job so they don't have to do it," he adds.

The university's program aims to build specialized skills among its 1,000 film students, either as graduate-level apprentices or undergraduate interns. Being able to list actual film credits on their résumés gives them an enormous advantage and connects them with potential employers.

Shooting wrapped Oct. 17 on Burnt Orange's first project, "Dot," which features actresses Edie Falco and Elisha Cuthbert. It's not slated for release in theaters, but it's likely that it could wind up at the Sundance Film Festival or Austin's South By Southwest.

Jeremy Rodgers, a graduate student who worked as the second camera assistant, is one of about 40 students involved with the film. For almost a month, he spent 15 hours a day next to director of photography David Mullen.

"It's giving me real-world experience," says Mr. Rodgers, who hopes to become a director of photography himself. "I wouldn't have otherwise gotten to work with somebody of his caliber."

Senior Matt Robertson, who worked as a grip on "Dot," adds, "You're getting things you can never learn in school ... stuff that they don't tell you about - good and bad."

Though he'd had previous experience working on professional films, Mr. Robertson had never been on set during filming of a nonstudent production. "You get to see how real people work," he says. "It's invaluable."

Other students have positions such as on-set photographer and assistant editor. One of two students creating "extras" for a future DVD has turned the project into his graduate thesis.

Undergrads are involved in every aspect of production, from makeup and sound to public relations, says Carolyn Pfeiffer, president and CEO of Burnt Orange Productions.

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