"My time at CBU taught me to figure things out on my own. I was encouraged to go out and make my own work, which I'm still doing as I develop my own feature film. "
Quick Facts
Program: Film, BA
Hometown: Honokaa, Hawaii
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Graduation Year: 2020
Current Job Title and Company: Associate Producer of Marketing, Boona
Life at CBU
Why did you choose your major or graduate degree program? What interested you in this
particular field of study?
I originally came to CBU to study photography, but an adjunct professor named Fraser
Kershaw got me excited about film production. I had been making films my whole life
and never realized it could be a career. Once I did, it felt like it was exactly what
I had been looking for.
What did you like about being in this program at CBU?
I loved the size of the program. It meant lots of access to gear and individual attention
from the professors.
Did you participate in anything else at CBU?
I was a First Year Leader during my junior year. Outside of that, I was fully committed
to making films with my friends. We had a group called Elephant Room and spent all
of our free time making films together. It was a great experience.
How did you grow while in this program at CBU?
I was encouraged to see the world from a Christian foundation while still hearing
other people's perspectives and worldviews, and giving them weight and respect even
when I didn't agree with them.
Did your program help you figure out your purpose?
Yes. I now feel called to the film industry. I didn't know that before I came to CBU.
Life After CBU
What have you done since graduating?
I was a producer for a major YouTuber and worked with MrBeast and his circle of creators.
I started a company and shot a 20-episode web series. I've freelanced on multiple
feature films, including assistant directing on an indie film, and I've written and
directed my own short films and proofs of concept. Most recently, I worked as assistant
to the director on Andy Serkis's new film, Nevatars, and then moved into the role
of Associate Producer of Marketing for the film's run at the Venice Film Festival.
What are your current job duties?
I make sure everything gets done for the film's marketing assets. That includes getting
the trailer finished, overseeing behind-the-scenes videos and poster creation, coordinating
producers' arrival at the festival, working with talent and PR teams to get them approved
materials and generally making sure everything happens across the board.
How has your program and time at CBU prepared you for your life and career after college?
My time at CBU taught me to figure things out on my own. I was encouraged to go out
and make my own work, which I'm still doing as I develop my own feature film. Even
in the professional world, I've had to figure a lot out on my own, learn how to exist
in these rooms and have the confidence to step into them.
Is there anything you learned at CBU that you still use in your professional life
today?
Definitely. I learned to treat work I don't understand with respect and to assume
I'm missing something rather than assume the work is low quality.
How are you making a difference in the world? How are you living your purpose?
I hope I'm making a difference. At Venice and throughout my work, I hope to show people
the love of Christ, and when I've built a real relationship with someone, I've been
able to share my faith with them. But even more than just sharing, I hope I'm making
a difference by being another person to bring the light of the Kingdom into the film
industry.
What are your future goals and plans?
My goal is to make my first feature film in the next year or two and get it released
in some capacity, even if it's on a smaller streaming service. Having a feature I
wrote and directed and can call my own is my major goal. As I get more films under
my belt, I'd love to eventually step into teaching and mentor younger directors and
filmmakers.
Would you recommend CBU to others?
Yes. Getting to navigate the college years with a foundation of faith was very helpful
for me, and I think it would be for others, too.
Anything else you'd like to add? Anything else we should know about you?
I got married and she's great!