Film historian speaks to MU
Published Nov. 9, 2007
David Shepard, a film restorer, producer and educator, came to MU on Thursday to speak about careers in film. MU Film Studies Committee Chairman Roger Cook used the opportunity to announce that students could major in film studies as early as next fall.
Shepard, who is in Columbia for Ragtag Cinemacafé's Silent Film Lost Weekend, stopped by Strickland Hall to encourage aspiring writers, directors and others to use their specialties to break into the competitive and evolving industry.
Shepard, who has restored more than 150 films for DVD and VHS editions, has taught for more than 30 years at prestigious film schools such as at the University of Southern California.
He instructed audience members to be prepared to start from the ground up, including working as an intern, before expecting to make it big.
"Bloom where you're planted," he said.
A concern among audience members was the use of special effects and computer-generated images in filmmaking. Shepard said filmmakers will continue to use them, but at the expense of the craft.
As an example, Shepard recounted his experience seeing "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and said the use of effects in movies has often replaced story structure and artistic achievement.
"I walked out," he said.
But he urged others to stay true to the purpose of film.
"In the end, films are still about character and plot and have some moral substance," Shepard said.
MU Film Studies Committee Chairman Roger Cook asked about graduate degrees in the field, such as a master's of fine arts emphasizing film, and Shepard said the terminal degree would provide opportunities for those looking to teach film at the university level. But he said practical experience in film outside the academic setting is also beneficial.
Shepard also addressed the recent Writers Guild of America strike, which has created a ripple effect throughout the film community and is already affecting primetime shows, including Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Aspiring writers in the audience shared their concerns and asked what could be done to assure a career as a writer.
"Writers are on the bottom of the totem pole," he said.
Shepard's lecture also provided a platform for an announcement about the state of the university's film studies program. The program, which currently offers only a minor in film studies, is on the verge of implementing a film studies major possibly as early as next fall.
Cook said the major will focus on the form and history of film while emphasizing analysis and criticism instead of teaching strictly the technical aspects of the field.
Shepard also emphasized that various academic disciplines and interests can lead to successful film careers, as he received a liberal arts education.
"If it's your passion, follow it," he said.