The Communication Arts community has lost one of its truly stellar figures. David Bordwell, the Jacques Ledoux Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, died on February 29, 2024 at the age of 76 after a lengthy illness. A prolific researcher, dedicated teacher, and passionate cinephile, he guided countless colleagues, students, and …
Decades before the rise of YouTube, Zoom, and Instagram, video artist Wendy Clarke created groundbreaking media projects that empowered everyday people to share their stories and connect. In her long-running “Love Tapes” project, a diverse range of participants entered a video booth and, for exactly three minutes, described what love meant to them. During the …
The Department of Communication Arts is saddened to hear of the passing of esteemed University of Wisconsin – Madison alum Christopher Holmes Smith. Dr. Smith earned his PhD in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2001, under the supervision of Professor John Fiske. He briefly served as the director …
The Graduate Program in the Department of Communication Arts received a remarkable, transformative gift from the Marilynn R. Baxter Trust. Dr. Marilynn R. Baxter (MA ’64, PhD ’73) designated three areas on campus in her estate; one of the areas designated is scholarships to Communication Arts graduate students on UW-Madison’s campus. The Department of Communication …
Communication Arts alums are known for making big strides in the world of media and film – and Debra McClutchy is no exception. In fact, the documentary that she co-directed was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film! Built from archival footage, The Martha Mitchell Effect explores an important figure in the …
The Department of Communication Arts is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Walter Mirisch, legendary Hollywood producer and UW-Madison alum, at the age of 101. His impact and influence will continue to resonate throughout the film industry and here on our own campus. Mirisch was an accomplished film producer, having won the Academy …
This past fall, the International Documentary Association awarded the documentary Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, which debuted on PBS and the WORLD in February 2022, with the Best TV Documentary Award. The documentary tells the story of the groundbreaking civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, who fought for desegregation, Black political representation, and voter enfranchisement. This …