PAGE 12C
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COMMENTARY
Film school dean doubles as 'Smurfs' director
PATRICK GOLDSTEIN
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
LOS ANGELES — Veteran movie producer Jordan Kerner spent nearly 10 years finding a way to make "The Smurfs", which earned $35.6 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. But it's not his long track record in Hollywood, which includes producing everything from "Less Than Zero"
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UNCSA are getting an education not just in theory and production but in the often less-than-glamorous aspects of life in the trenches of Hollywood.
Kerner has recruited a host of faculty members who still have their day jobs, which helps give students a grounding in the kind of problem-solving necessary to survive on a film set. Through a shadowing program, students get
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked," which will hit theaters this Christmas. He also has his students listen in on his conversations with his agent so they can develop an understanding of the demands of the marketplace.
their experiences. But Kerner felt the school needed more outside professionals on the faculty, so he recruited a host of industry pros, including producer Bob Gosse and Peter Bogdanovich, who teaches a freshman film class.
Kerner never imagined himself being a film school dean — in fact, he never went to film school himself. But after surviving a freak staph infection and enduring the
up to talk to an actor, our kids would be right there with him. They also got to spend time with our editors, visual effects supervisor, sound designers and other crew members. Sometimes the discussions were difficult, but that was the whole point — it's a way to learn the whys and why nots of filmmaking." (With it being 2011, students had to sign release forms promising not to blog about what
My biggest concern with today's film schools is that they tend to offer students far more instruction in technique than in actual ideas.
But the student films I watched
Immersion project, where students gain a deeper understanding of character and story by spending several weeks at places like the Veterans Artificial Limb Hospital in Philadelphia and Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans.
"They can't take cameras or recording devices — just a pad and pen," he says. "The whole idea is to go out and get to know people, hear their stories and get under
PAGE 16
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
JOBBS
Advice to increase your employment luck
The University Career Center offers advice on resumes, interviews, networking and more for students looking for employment opportunities.
CHRISTY NUTT editor@kansan.com
With the national unemployment rate hovering around 9.1 percent, finding a job after graduating can be a daunting experience.
But not for Derek Kauffman. He started his job as morning producer of KTTC-TV News in Rochester, Minn., one week after graduating in May. Kauffman said whenever he had down time during his final semester he updated his electronic portfolio so employers could see his work. A little luck, a lot of confidence and persistence got him hired, he said.
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
Donna Johnson, CEO of Pinnacle Technology, Inc., 2721 Oregon St., said the cover letter is the selling point. After more than 30 years of hiring, Johnson said only 1 in 100 cover letters she receives are addressed to a person and the company.
Making the resume interesting and accessible to prospective employers is most important, Kauffman said.
Ann Hartley, associate director of the University Career Center, said every employer has a different opinion about what makes a good resume. Resumes should include the basic information the employer is looking for in a clear way and describe your experiences in details that highlight your skills, Hartley said.
"Make your cover letter targeted specifically to the company," Johnson said. "It is the little things like this that set you apart."
Hartley said networking is essential to separating yourself from the pack of applicants.
"You're not going to get anybody to look at your resume or call you for an interview if you don't somehow make a connection with them." Hartley said.
An easy way for students to make a personal connection with employers is to attend campus events involving potential employers, Hartley said.
"Take advantage of any kind of career event where you can go and in hear a speaker and possibly meet them or you can go and listen to a panel of employers and then make some contact with them, or the career fair is the obvious one." Hartley said.
Mark Stogalld, vice president of HMA Architects, 200 Wesa Way.
said getting involved helps students network. "Put yourself in situations where you might run into a job opportunity," Stogsdill said.
Johnson said being formal is not just dressing well to the interview but also making your voice mail message appropriate, keeping e-mails professional and cleaning up your social network sites.
Many employers, including Johnson, look at candidate's social networking sites.
"In a business setting, e-mail is very formal, but people forget this," Johnson said.
"If you're not embarrassed to have you mom or dad look at it, you're probably OK." Hartley said.
Also, don't volunteer information about yourself unless the employer asks, Hartley said.
Walk into the interview prepared with extra copies of your resume, sample material and knowledge of
"Just stick to their agenda," she said.
the company, Johnson said.
The career center offers most interviews to help students practice for the real thing. The practice interview is recorded with a webcam so the student can watch his or her performance afterward. If students are nervous they might not notice they
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Many employers want specific examples to prove you have the required skill set. Students should think of examples that would be appropriate to use before going into the interview, Hartley said.
positive way," Hartlev said.
"If there are possible negatives in your background think about how you are going to address them in a positive way."
"If there are possible negatives in your background think about how you are going to address them in a
ANN HARTLEY associate director of the University Career Center
Do research on what a typical salary is for the position you are applying for before the interview. This way you can offer a fair range if the employee asks about your expected pay, Hartley said.
up salary at the first interview because it can leave the impression that all you care about is money, Hartley said.
In general, though, avoid bring-
Pinnacle Technology's Johnson said the worst thing an interviewee can do is sit and stare at her without
have really handicapped yourself",
HMA Architects' Stoddill said.
"If you are not involved in the conversation you
A job interview is a chance for you to interview the employer as well.
being interactive.
"I want to know your brain is working. You have got to be engaging." she said.
The interview is only one step in the hiring process. Hiring can take weeks or even months. Reminding employers that you are still interested in the job can separate you from the pack.
"Unless you get a 'hell no' it is OK to occasionally inquire about the same job," HMA Architects' Stogsdill said.
If a job opening does become available and someone has asked numerous times about it, employers can't help but think of them, Stogs-dill said.
Graduate Kauffman said he was persistent at calling to check on his application status because he really wanted a chance to get the job.
"The best advice I can give is don't give up. You can always improve." Kauffman said.
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