The Real Truths of Matthew McConaughey’s New Professor Job at University of Texas
This is No Dazed and Confused Moment
BY Annie Gallay // 08.29.19Matthew McConaughey brings a whole lot to UT.
What do you say when you find out that a marquee movie star is teaching at The University of Texas? Well, there’s really only one right answer.
Alright, alright, alright.
Hollywood heavyweight and Austin fixture Matthew McConaughey isn’t so Dazed and Confused as razor-sharp, according to the powers that be at UT.
The True Detective is set to become a professor of practice for the Department of Radio-Television-Film in the Moody College of Communication.
It’s come full circle for McConaughey, back to his alma mater. McConaughey earned his Bachelor’s degree in film from the University of Texas in 1993.
Now, 26 years later, he’s made his welcome return — just on the other side of the podium this time around. Talk about an impressive alum. Is there anyone more qualified to teach a film class than someone with his very own Academy Award?
The Magic Mike star’s course kicks off this fall, with McConaughey teaching “The Gentlemen” and “Mud.” The how-to course involves studying storyboards, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and more, and gives students the opportunity to produce their own web series, shorts, commercials and indie features.
This isn’t the Lincoln Lawyer’s first foray into higher education. The Oscar winner has served as a visiting instructor at UT since 2015, co-teaching the Script to Screen film production class with faculty member and director Scott Rice.
Is there anyone more qualified to teach a film class than someone with his very own Academy Award?
The movie legend developed that course’s curriculum, which has given an intimate behind-the-scenes view of a film’s production, covering films like The Beach Bum and White Boy Rick — and featuring guest speakers such as Harmony Korine and Gary Ross.
“It’s the class I wish I would have had when I was in film school,” McConaughey says about his new class in a statement. “Working in the classroom with these students gives me a chance to prepare them. Making movies, turning words on paper into film, is both a science and an art — no matter the time or generation.
“The elements of truth and genuine joy for the process are timeless. That will always be our classroom focus.”
Now, McConaughey’s taking charge in college. No one’s got any doubts about his qualifications, but it’s certainly A Time to Kill it in the classroom.