Renowned filmmaker and writer Errol Morris shared his career inspirations and experiences on the Wisconsin Union Theatre stage Thursday night as part of the Memorial Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Morris’ speech was also the second installment in the University of Wisconsin Art Institute’s marquee series for the Year of the Arts 2010-2011, which highlights artistic diversity all around campus.

Morris talked about his years spent at UW during his undergraduate career and how thrilled he was to be back at his alma mater.

“Not much has changed since I attended UW,” Morris said. “It feels fabulous to be back, I love this place. The University of Wisconsin represents the beginning of my career as a filmmaker.”

Morris added he never saw himself at UW as a teenager.

“I was rejected from every college I applied to,” Morris said. “My high school advisor recommended I apply to the University of Wisconsin – he told me they accept everybody.”

Morris was reluctant about his acceptance to UW and described he felt coming here was a sort of punishment. After attending for just a few months, he said he realized it was not a punishment and actually saved his life.

In addition to his film career, Morris currently writes for the New York Times. He has been working for two years on a piece about Jeffrey Dahmer and is looking forward to its completion.

Morris has directed over 1,000 television commercials and created nine nonfiction feature films so far, his most recent project was a documentary film “Tabloid”, released earlier this year. Morris also created two seasons of the television series “First Person”.

Throughout much of his speech, Morris contributed the roots of his successful career to two former UW professors, George Mosse and Harvey Goldberg.

Morris, who was a history major at UW, said he attended when the history department was probably the best in the world under these two educators. He also added they are responsible for what interests him today.

Morris also recalled moments spent in full lectures in Agricultural Hall. He said the room was always completely packed for Mosse and Goldberg’s lectures, with standing room only.

Morris’ very first film “Gates of Heaven” is perhaps his most well known and has earned a spot on Rodger Ebert’s personal list of the top ten movies of all time.

Despite having created some very politically themed films like “Standard Operating Procedure” in 2008, Morris does not like to classify himself as strictly a political filmmaker. He said he has and will continue to make many diverse films.

“I have been very lucky to have had opportunities to do diverse things and to follow, for better or for worse, my interests,” Morris said. “I don’t know what could be better than that.”

UW freshman Steve Zellmer attended the lecture and could relate to Morris on his hesitance to attend.

“I really saw part of him in myself,” Zellmer said. “He talked about
Wisconsin and how he originally saw it as a punishment. I think I did
too at first, but it has been so enjoyable so far.”