2008 Woodie Awards
Former film editor joins media arts staff
Ryan Rosback
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Some people are just born to teach. Such is the case for Jennifer Hardacker, the new media arts professor at Pacific University. Hardacker left behind a career in film to become an educator.
After obtaining a masters degree in cinema and photography from Southern Illinois University, Hardacker quickly jumped into the world of film as an assistant publicist for Cline & White, a film company which worked primarily with independent films.
She later joined the company Crew Cuts, where she worked her way up from a receptionist to an editor.
Some of her most notable work during her tenure was a Saturday Night Live spoof commercial titled "Corn Chip Nail Tips," and work as an assistant on Britney Spears's Pepsi campaign.
It was not long until Hardacker came to the realization that even though film was her passion, it was not the right career path for her.
She always had the sense of not contributing positively to society. So, she turned to her other passion, educating, which she says she has always known she would do.
"It's very exciting to see a student excited about film," said Hardacker.
Hardacker taught for two years at the New School University in New York, and for five years at the University of Michigan before she came to Pacific.
"[At state colleges] I didn't feel like I was making an impact."
Here at Pacific, however, Hardacker feels that with a much smaller student body, she can have more intimate relationships with students compared to the daunting numbers in state schools.
Originally from the Midwest, Hardacker says she likes the area, although she has yet to live through an Oregon winter.
"The Northwest is beautiful and hospitable. People are genuinely nice."
Although she is an educator now, Hardacker has not completely abandoned her work in film.
She still works on independent films, mainly short experimental and non-traditional.
Recently, she has worked on an animation titled "Where you are is not where you are going," which has been playing in film festivals across the country, including the Mad Cat Festival in San Francisco, and the Black Maria Film Festival in New Jersey.
After obtaining a masters degree in cinema and photography from Southern Illinois University, Hardacker quickly jumped into the world of film as an assistant publicist for Cline & White, a film company which worked primarily with independent films.
She later joined the company Crew Cuts, where she worked her way up from a receptionist to an editor.
Some of her most notable work during her tenure was a Saturday Night Live spoof commercial titled "Corn Chip Nail Tips," and work as an assistant on Britney Spears's Pepsi campaign.
It was not long until Hardacker came to the realization that even though film was her passion, it was not the right career path for her.
She always had the sense of not contributing positively to society. So, she turned to her other passion, educating, which she says she has always known she would do.
"It's very exciting to see a student excited about film," said Hardacker.
Hardacker taught for two years at the New School University in New York, and for five years at the University of Michigan before she came to Pacific.
"[At state colleges] I didn't feel like I was making an impact."
Here at Pacific, however, Hardacker feels that with a much smaller student body, she can have more intimate relationships with students compared to the daunting numbers in state schools.
Originally from the Midwest, Hardacker says she likes the area, although she has yet to live through an Oregon winter.
"The Northwest is beautiful and hospitable. People are genuinely nice."
Although she is an educator now, Hardacker has not completely abandoned her work in film.
She still works on independent films, mainly short experimental and non-traditional.
Recently, she has worked on an animation titled "Where you are is not where you are going," which has been playing in film festivals across the country, including the Mad Cat Festival in San Francisco, and the Black Maria Film Festival in New Jersey.
Be the first to comment on this story