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Features: April 15, 2002
Moviemaker Bobby Farrelly '81 Visits
Students, Campus
As part of GM Week activities, moviemaker
Bobby Farrelly '81 met with students on April 10 to talk
about his life, career, and memories of Rensselaer. Farrelly
has made a name for himself as a writer-director of such
films as Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About
Mary, and, more recently, Shallow Hal.
Students in the Electronic Media, Arts,
and Communication program were treated to a special get-together
with Farrelly in the Sage Auditorium. Around 50 students
were present. Some expressed interest in the film industry
as a possible career choice. Farrelly fielded questions,
many of which involved script writing and the movie-making
process and how to "make it" in Hollywood. His
answers were full of personal stories, tips, and advice
to the students; he told one student to "catch a wave
and ride it." Additionally, he said to keep options
open, as students never know where they might be five or
10 years down the road.
Later in the evening Farrelly participated
in a question-and-answer session in the Darrin Communications
Center for the entire campus community. A free showing of
Shallow Hal followed the talk.
Farrelly explained how his life has evolved
from leaving Rensselaer with a geology degree in 1981 to
working in Hollywood today. He shared that some scenes and
characters in his films have been loosely based on college
experiences and friends.
When asked about the current state of Rensselaer,
Farrelly responded, "I like what I see going on around
here," claiming it has become "a lot better"
since he graduated. The large audience asked about his current
projects, guidance for the newly formed Rensselaer Film
Club, and how to become actors for upcoming films.
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