Striped Chair of Vilas Hall

We are on day seven of Creative Careers in Hollywood, and somehow it feels like both five minutes and a lifetime ago that we all walked in not quite knowing what to expect. The alumni supporting this program have given us not just advice, but real, honest insight into what this industry actually looks like from the inside. From classroom visits to networking events, this program has given us the opportunity to make lasting connections.

I think I speak for my cohort when I say that networking can feel intimidating, especially when breaking into an industry as competitive as entertainment. But this remarkable group of Badgers has reminded us that community can exist even in the most high-stakes spaces. The alumni we’ve connected with have shared their real stories—the good and the bad—and in doing so, they've helped us understand the nature of this industry and how to find success within it.

I've found that no matter where you go, there will be a Badger community that remembers what it felt like to be exactly in your position, and that genuinely wants to support you and help you find success. We look forward to seeing what the next two weeks will bring!

On, Wisconsin! ❤️ 🤍
Brita Lawrence, Student Social Media Takeover

No, that’s not an image from Hitchcock’s Vertigo – it’s the shaft where a new elevator is being installed right outside the IMC, the home of the Striped Chair of Vilas Hall. These photos were provided by the fine folks at J.P. Cullen, who are helping to make Vilas Hall more accessible. They’re installing an elevator into this shaft, which has remained empty since Vilas’ opening in 1972. Construction began in February, with completion expected this summer. 🔼 🔽

We can’t wait to take a ride. We hope it’s as amazing as Wonka’s great glass elevator. 🛗

Dylan Rauwerdink is a winner of the 2026 Hellum Award! 🏅 🎉 Dylan is a Communication Arts student who recently graduated in the Radio-TV-Film track. As the sound designer for CA659’s capstone film, “What It Takes”, Dylan worked diligently to record high-quality audio in the field. He often spent entire days in the studio crafting the film’s soundscape and building a sonic world for the characters. The film’s soundtrack stands out as one of the most complete and fully realized among CA659 films.

🗣️ “As the semester progressed and our group spent more time collaborating and filming, I became much more invested in the project. I feel very happy with the work I put in and how it impacted the final product.

This award will give me a head start towards my goal of getting into a film studies graduate program. I am incredibly grateful.”

⭐ Fun Fact: Dylan’s sister, Caoilfhinn Rauwerdink, won a Nietzchka Keene award in 2022 in part for the 659 film “The Road Without Us” – great filmmaking runs in the family!

Erik and Jennifer Hellum created the Hellum Award to acknowledge students who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their studies and the Department of Communication Arts. We are grateful to Erik (Communication Arts ‘87) and Jennifer (Journalism ‘89) for their support of Communication Arts students.

Arthur Nelson is a winner of the 2026 Hellum Award! 🏅 🎉 Arthur is a Communication Arts student with a focus on film production. This past semester, he was a gaffer for [Redacted] Films’ “Fragile” in our capstone filmmaking course, CA659. Arthur brought a theatrical, surreal, and beautiful lighting style to “Fragile.” He’s a standout in the classroom and in the Com Arts IMC where he works as a media assistant. 🎥

🗣️ “I am incredibly passionate about filmmaking, and it is my goal after college to pursue a career in the industry I love so dearly. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me by graciously choosing me as a recipient of the Hellum award.”

Erik and Jennifer Hellum created the Hellum Award to acknowledge students who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their studies and the Department of Communication Arts. We are grateful to Erik (Communication Arts ‘87) and Jennifer (Journalism ‘89) for their support of Communication Arts students.

Christiaan Hajos is a recipient of the 2026 Nietzchka Keene Prize! 🏆🎉 Christiaan is a Communication Arts and Theater double major with a penchant for framing and composition. This spring, he was the Director of Photography for [Redacted]Pictures’ short film “Fragile,” where he captured vast landscapes and complex relationships beautifully. He credits “Once Upon a Time in the West” as the movie that sparked his passion for filmmaking. This summer, he plans to finish writing a minimalistic sci-fi movie about the last two people alive on a melting ice-planet. He aims to make a proof of concept short of it in the winter.

🗣️ “What I want to do with film is make sweeping epics in nature landscapes that capture the beauty around us, and show various relationships between people and nature. I can't wait to get back on set as it's one of my favorite things in the world.”

The Nietzchka Keene Prize supports undergraduate film and video production students. The prize was established in memory of Professor Nietzchka Keene, who inspired young filmmakers in Communication Arts from 1995 until 2004, when she passed away unexpectedly.

Kaaden Dull is a recipient of the 2026 Nietzchka Keene Prize! 🏆🎉 She is a graduating triple major in Communication Arts: Film-TV-Radio, English: Creative Writing, and French with a minor in Digital Cinema Production. While enrolled in Advanced Screenwriting (CA609), Kaaden wrote the feature-length screenplay "Cassandra Is a Computer." Her short film screenplay "Mountain Raven" was a finalist for the Wisconsin's Own Screenwriting competition. With a passion for reading and writing, Kaaden was an instructor at the Greater Madison Writing Project for their Young Writers camp.

🗣️ “I have always been interested in stories and language which has driven my areas of study. I plan to pursue a career in creative and communications-based writing post-grad.”

The Nietzchka Keene Prize supports undergraduate film and video production students. The prize was established in memory of Professor Nietzchka Keene, who inspired young filmmakers in Communication Arts from 1995 until 2004, when she passed away unexpectedly.

Alan Zarzycki is a recipient of the 2026 Nietzchka Keene Prize! 🏆🎉

Alan just graduated with his degree in Communication Arts and a Digital Cinema Production Certificate. He was the Assistant Director of the award-winning CA659 capstone short “I Know the End.” He directed the documentary Flying Through The Spectrum, which is about a geographer supporting teens on the autism spectrum through the Taking Autism To The Sky program. While completing advanced coursework in post-production, screenwriting, and film theory, Alan also served as a student media intern for the Learning Engineer Group.

🗣️ “I’m honored to receive the 2026 Nietzchka Keene Prize. After graduating, I plan on staying in Madison to apply my filmmaking knowledge to help grow Madison’s film community before moving on to bigger filmmaking cities like Los Angeles or Atlanta for new opportunities."

The Nietzchka Keene Prize supports undergraduate film and video production students. The prize was established in memory of Professor Nietzchka Keene, who inspired young filmmakers in Communication Arts from 1995 until 2004, when she passed away unexpectedly.

➡️ https://go.wisc.edu/u7968r

First the bridge, now the art… 🪦💔

Even the sky wept when Professor James Watrous's mosaic “Freedom of Communication” was removed from Vilas Hall on May 12th. Constructed in the early 70s, this iconic mural has greeted thousands of students as they entered Vilas Hall and bid them farewell as they left with a newfound understanding of communications. From our spot inside the IMC, we see folks stop nearly every day to pose for a pic in front of the artwork. 🖼️

The project committee recommended removing this work entirely to protect it during construction. “Freedom of Communication” has since been moved into storage.

We’re overjoyed that a much-needed accessible ramp will cut into the completely redesigned courtyard! 🎊

We hope that “Freedom of Communication” will be restored and returned in the near future. 🤞

There’s a job opening at the best workplace in the world! We’re hiring - join the Department of Communication Arts as the next Media Services Manager. 🎥 This role will provide technical expertise, operational planning, budget oversight, project management, and oversight of equipment used by media production courses, research, and outreach programs for the department.

📍Position: Media Services Manager
⏰ Application deadline: May 20, 2026
➡️ For more information and to apply: go.wisc.edu/tgq8dw