Student Profile: Stuff about Ben
film studies | advice | campus life | spirituality
>I decided to pursue film when I was in my last year of high school.At the time I had no idea what I really wanted to do… I actually applied for Engineering, Computing Science and Film.
>That year I had taken a course where we studied various filmmakers. I realized how great it would be to bring my own visions to the screen… the more I considered the possibilities the more I wanted to do it.
>The best thing about being a film student is that there’s not much class time or reading…I don’t think I’d last long in any other major because I don’t do a whole lot of reading, except for the night before the test! But I do spend tons of time planning and working on film and multimedia projects.
>I really like the creative and hands-on style of learning… film production stretches my mind and abilities and helps me to explore many ideas and new challenges.
>In my first year, I did a production called "Route 55." It was the story of a newspaper delivery boy who went around distributing bundles of $50 bills. He thought it would bring these people happiness, but it didn’t. The once peaceful community started arguing with each other. The money couldn’t buy them happiness.
>I think stories say it best. But it’s got to be a good story. I’m always thinking of the next story.
I want to make films that people will remember. One day I hope to stand outside the doors of a theatre and listen to the crowd laugh and cry and be silent at just the right times.
Then I’ll watch them as they leave, see big smiles and deep ponderings and excited eyes. And I’ll know that it was my vision played out across the screen that moved them.
>I think realizing that my degree doesn’t hold much weight in the film industry is the hardest thing about being a student in this field.
Advice for students considering film:
>It’s probably going to be much different than you expect, so know what you want but be flexible at the same time.
>If you want to succeed in film, you need perseverance, vision, dedication, creativity, communication skills, good team work skills, and the ability to work on little sleep!
>Get involved with as much film production as you can – especially upper year student productions and other work in the industry. Do as much extra production work outside of school as possible.
>Avoid thinking that graduating from film school will necessarily turn you into a filmmaker. Remember that it’s the work you do and the contacts you build that make film school worth it.
>Remember that school’s only school. Be sure to have fun (prepare for real work in the years to come).
>One of the hardest adjustments in university is that there’s hardly any class time so it feels like there’s tons of free time! But really I should have been reading…
It was also strange going from high school where it seems like I knew everyone to university where I saw a different crowd every day.
>There’s much to like about university. The freedom, the friends, the opportunities, the different perspectives… but I also miss home and don’t like I’m away from home.
>In university, I’ve realized that I need to set priorities and goals. Before it was easy to find time for everything, but now I have to make time for the things that are important. I think I’ve learned that there are a lot more possibilities than I thought and that I’m the kind of guy that wants too many of them.
Ben’s thoughts on life and spirituality . . .
Related reading:
- Are you deliberately designed for a greater purpose?
- Can you state your life purpose in a sentence?
- How do you find meaning in life?
- Back to student profiles
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