Film B.A. a Hit in Los Angeles
Herberger College School of Theatre and Film faculty Linda Essig and Miguel Valenti (left) take a moment to pose with alumna Brenda Strong, 2005 (center); Herberger College Dean Bob Wills and alumnus John Ridgway, 1975 (right).
Nearly 90 Herberger College alumni filled the set of the Disney Channel’s new show Hannah Montana on March 12 in Los Angeles. Among them was Herberger College alumna Brenda Strong (’05), perhaps one of the most recognized voices on television as the late Mary Alice on the ABC hit Desperate Housewives.
As actors and entertainment industry professionals, they came to learn about the new film and media production concentration offered by the Herberger College School of Theatre and Film, formerly the Department of Theatre.
“Tapping into our Sun Devil network, we were able to host the event at Tribune Studios through George NeJame (’78),” explained Eddie DeVall (’93), ASU Alumni Association Los Angeles chapter president and consultant with MGM Studios Home Entertainment.
Participants received a private studio tour and learned more about the ASU program, which teaches students the artistic skills of theatrical performance and storytelling, while focusing on state-of-the-art filmmaking skills and the importance of ethics in entertainment.
“Actors today are expected to be able to work across all theatrical media – stage, television and film,” Strong said. “Making your own films and knowing all aspects of production puts you ahead of the game in a very competitive market.”
On April 1, nearly 500 current students applied for the inaugural film and media production concentration.
“Students must complete a prerequisite list of six courses before they can declare the concentration,” said Linda Essig, director of the School of Theatre and Film. “Our first group of current students has completed those core courses, and they have submitted a screenplay or a short video that illustrates their potential to succeed in the program.”
“This is a very tough B.A.,” added Miguel Valenti, Lincoln Professor of Ethics and the Arts and assistant director of the school. “It’s not for someone who likes movies and just wants to sit and watch them. Every student comes up with his or her own movie at the conclusion of the program.” He anticipates the applicant pool will quadruple with the incoming class of fall freshmen.
