Oakland University, Rochester
To burnish its still-new Cinema Studies program, Oakland University took advantage of Hollywood talent now in-state, partnering with Big Screen Entertainment and its partners Kimberley Kates and producer/director/actor Michael Manasseri for a multi-pronged effort giving students advanced opportunities in both classroom and real film world settings. The producer of thrillers Babysitter Wanted (just released on DVD) and the just-wrapped Sucker, filmed in Pontiac, Manasseri has been conducting detailed student workshops in all aspects of production. Concurrently, the Sucker production hired 10 Oakland interns who worked in various departments including set-building, locations and principal photography.
The relationship continues this summer during post-production as Manasseri edits Sucker on brand new Apple Final Cut Pro computers just purchased by the university. Additionally, he will conduct workshops on post-production on those same new computers during the summer, pro bono.
Investment, Cinema Studies Program: 2 Final Cut Pro Computers, 1 new faculty member
Value of equipment: $ 13,000
School program & enrollment: 8-10 new courses in Fall 2010; 40 students enrolled (vs. 20 expected)