Alright, alright, alright… You know there’s only one person that line is famous for: Matthew McConaughey. Or should we say Professor Matthew McConaughey? That’s right, folks! The rom-com heartthrob of the 2000s is not just an award-winning actor but also a professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
McConaughey holds the title of Professor of Practice at the Moody College of Communication. He officially joined the faculty in the Department of Radio-Television-Film in 2019 after serving as a visiting instructor since 2015. During that time, he co-taught the popular “Script to Screen” course alongside lecturer and director Scott Rice. McConaughey was instrumental in developing the course’s curriculum, which provided students with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes view of every stage of a film's production process.
A proud alumnus of UT Austin, McConaughey earned his film degree in 1993. Over his illustrious acting career, he has appeared in more than 50 films, including Dazed and Confused, A Time to Kill, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Dallas Buyers Club. His role in Dallas Buyers Club earned him both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
In 2024, McConaughey co-taught a new iteration of his course, Script to Screen: Commercials, offering students a deep dive into the world of advertising production. The class explored his commercial work for brands such as Salesforce and Lincoln, while also revisiting some of his film projects, like The Gentlemen and Mud.
Exclusively available to advertising and radio-television-film majors, the course allowed students to analyze campaign briefs, scripts, and storyboards while gaining insights directly from McConaughey and other industry professionals. Assignments included critiquing his previous advertising campaigns and developing original concepts for brands.
The course aimed to bridge the gap between film and advertising education, offering students a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of commercial production. McConaughey, known for his passion for mentorship, sought to inspire and guide students through this unique learning experience. His co-teachers highlighted the course’s value in providing students with a rare look into the intricacies of advertising campaigns, making it a standout addition to the curriculum.
Source: Austin American Statesman