Making Connections

You probably hear it a lot, but I can't stress it enough... more than anything, college is the time for making connections. ESPECIALLY IN FILM. I love Chapman for this because it is so connected to the industry and seems really full of worth-while friendships and connections.

I had a thrilling opportunity this weekend working on a Chapman Alumni film - "TomThumb." It was part of Jeff Cole Productions, (run by Chapman Alum Jeff Cole http://www.jeffcoleproductions.tv) and crewed by a handful of now-in-the-business Chapman Alumni. I was one of two current students working on the production, so it was a great experience to 'step up' from the typical Student Film set and get to work with a great group of guys over a short, intense two-day shoot. And it was a blast. Working as AC (Assistant Camera) I got to get my hands on the equipment, work with a talented DP (http://www.eric-petersen.com), and even operate the camera myself for a handful of slow-motion dolly and tracking shots. Including this one:



Anyway - it's this kind of thing that makes the Chapman experience the most fulfilling and opportunistic. And maybe it gets you a crew position in a paid gig sometime in the future, either before or after graduation! It's about making all those ins NOW so that they'll be there when you need them!