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  1. Academics
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  4. Filmmaking
  5. Student Stories
Filmmaking
  • Curriculum
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Have a Question?

Contact Van Dora Williams, Filmmaking Program Director

Email: vwilliams@champlain.edu

Phone: 802.865.8476

Meet Some of Our Filmmaking Students

Lena Groves

Lena Groves on the Champlain Community, Receiving an Honorable Mention at the Student Emmys, and Going on the Uganda Service Trip

Lena Groves, '20

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Specializations

Sonic Arts and Motion Graphics

Hometown

Saratoga Springs, NY

Pronouns

she/her

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Internship

Intern at Dublin Intercultural Language Service in Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Class

Documentary Filmmaking

“

Film is unique because we all work closely together, which means being incredibly vulnerable with our classmates. We're artists who pour everything into our work.

”

What makes Champlain special?

I was particularly drawn to Champlain's small size. It's perfect because you get to know the people you're going to class with, and you become close with your professors and mentors. Those relationships allow you to learn as much as possible from the most inspiring people.

Which was your favorite class at Champlain?

My favorite class was my first documentary class because that's where I found out about the type of work I want to pursue. I also got to work on my own for the first time, which was challenging but rewarding. My project ended up receiving an honorable mention at the Northeast Student Emmys. It made me realize the impact I can have on people by telling their stories to the world.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities or clubs?

I'm involved in the Women in Film Club and the annual service trip to Uganda. Women in Film is a great space that inspires women and nonbinary students in a male-dominated field of study. We inspire each other to create change and make the future more inclusive for all people in the industry. 

I have also helped with the Uganda Service Trip for three years. It's a great way for students to learn intercultural intelligence while creating meaningful change and fulfilling relationships through service learning.

Chris Acosta

Chris Acosta on Professors In Their Fields, Hands-On Classes, and Burlington Life

Chris Acosta, '21

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Hometown

Hackettstown, NJ

Pronouns

He/Him

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Class

Screenwriting II

“

The classes are small and personal, so you get to know your teachers and classmates.

”

What has been the best part of the Filmmaking program?

The experience has been extremely hands-on. The classes are small and personal, so you get to know your teachers and classmates. The projects are engaging and challenging. My favorite class so far has been Screenwriting II. It's the first of a two-part class where we plan for a feature-length script. It was great to put so much time into a single idea.

What do you like about going to college in Burlington, VT?

Burlington is an amazing city with a small town feel. It's very walkable and has great character. The waterfront is stunning, and the parks are all very close, which is nice. It's also an environmentally conscious town.

How are the Film professors at Champlain?

Filmmaking teachers are wonderful professionals. I like that they are all still working in the field that they teach. They treat us like adults, often know of great opportunities in the industry, and give us great professional advice.

Hansel Carter IV

Hansel Carter IV on Core Classes, Life Skills, and Internships

Hansel Carter IV, '20

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Hometown

Queens, NY

Pronouns

He/Him

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Internship

Writer and Assistant Director for The Wishlist, Production Designer for Cake

Favorite Class

Screenwriting III

“

Through working as an Eco-Rep Captain, I have been able to work on my leadership skills by holding meetings and working with more than 20 members of a team.

”

What’s your favorite Core experience?

My favorite Core experience was my Food For Thought Class with Kelly Thomas and Cyndi Brandenberg, where we learned about food systems and how food deserts impact communities all around us. We cooked and ate dinner with members of a halfway house, talked with farmers who shared the successes and hardships of being in that profession in Vermont, and had a meal at Handy's Lunch with the owner. My favorite part of the class was doing a research project into a dish we loved. I chose an egyptian dish, koshary, and tracked down

ingredients right to their sources.Another core class I enjoyed taking was Tween Alliance: Kid Heroes with Kristin Novotny. We were paired with a 6th grade student from Hunt Middle School and followed Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" Together, we created a superhero with a backstory and their own journey. It was such an awesome opportunity to work with the kids and see them growthroughout the semester.

What relevant life skills have your on-campus jobs taught you?

I have worked as a CCM SGA Representative, Eco-Rep, Eco-Rep Area Coordinator, Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader, Eco-Rep Captain, OIE Office Assistant, and Study Abroad

Ambassador on campus.Through working as an Eco-Rep Captain, I have been able to work on my leadership skills by holding meetings and working with more than 20 members of a team. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and basic levels of knowledge about environmentalism and sustainability. It's my job to guide each eco-rep into the program and teach them how to educate others through student outreach and engagement.As a Study Abroad Ambassador, I get to meet students from all years and majors who are interested in studying abroad. I have developed my communication and interpersonal skills through conversations with students and parents at campus-wide events and tabling opportunities.

Can you talk about your internships?

I was a Writer and Assistant Director for a project I co-wrote called The Wishlist. Beginning at the start of the fall semester, we had weekly video calls with Saudi interns and came up with ideas for scripts. We then split up into different departments (writing teams, production teams) and had weekly meetings with the interns in our departments. We had the opportunity to share our cultural differences with one another through this experience.

I also worked as a Production Designer for a project called Cake. I set up a call withthe Art Director and Director of the film to go over what we needed to come up with fora set look for production. I was able to share my knowledge and experience in set design with the Saudi interns and learn about their ideas and their knowledge.

Roger Castillo

Roger Castillo on Pursuing a Career in the Arts, Collaborating with Other Filmmaking Students, and Gaining Industry Experience

Roger Castillo, '20

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Hometown

Philadelphia, PA

Pronouns

he/him

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Internship

Video Intern at Champlain College Marketing in Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Directing & Acting for the Screen

“

Champlain has taught me the patience, techniques, and networking skills that are essential to jump-starting my career.

”

How did you choose your major?

I chose the arts as my field because of my passion and drive to create. I didn't know I wanted to major in Filmmaking until I was told by an Admissions Counselor to focus on my day-to-day activities, that my calling was in there somewhere. I noticed that I'd already been watching and studying films way before I was remotely interested in going to school in that field.

What has been your experience with the Filmmaking program?

I truly love the Upside-Down Curriculum—it gave me the opportunity to feed the beast that has been my artistic ambition since my first semester. The professors are a valuable and important part of my experience because they are all working professionals with an abundance of knowledge about how our industry is run. 

I also value the connections I built with my peers. Because of the need for collaboration in filmmaking, we were all working on each other's projects and bouncing new and fun ideas off of each other. The element of competition is removed from the curriculum, which is great because it allows us to help one another grow.

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

Champlain has taught me the patience, techniques, and networking skills that are essential to jump-starting my career. I've had opportunities to work on student films, indie films, and even industry commercial work. This experience paired with my degree will definitely give me a leg up over other candidates for similar positions. The Career Collaborative is also a great aid to students, especially those who want to get started early.

Dillon Toole on Professors, Filmmaking, and Following His Passion for Storytelling

Dillon Toole, '20

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Hometown

Pawcatuck, CT

Pronouns

he/him

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Internship

Videography Intern at Champlain College Marketing in Burlington, VT

“

It's a competitive major, it's a competitive industry. Champlain facilitates it by having a brilliant team of professors who come from all different areas of filmmaking.

”

Danielle Hazelton on the Vermont First Scholarship, Building a Professional Portfolio, and Hands-On Film Education

Danielle Hazelton, '19

Division

Communication & Creative Media

Major

Filmmaking

Specialization

Sonic Arts

Hometown

Dorset, VT

Pronouns

she/her

Internship

Production Coordinator at Ned Kelly Pictures in Dublin, Ireland

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Post-Grad Job

Senior Video Producer at Scout Digital in Burlington, VT

“

Being able to practice so much in my classes made me feel better prepared to get an internship and work as a freelancer in the film industry starting in my first year of school.

”

How did you choose Champlain College?

Champlain College was the only in-state school I applied to because I loved the hands-on Filmmaking program and all the production classes. I couldn't afford the other colleges I got into, but when I visited the Champlain Financial Aid office during an Open House, they said I was being considered for a first-generation Vermont students scholarship that would cover most of my tuition for all four years. 

The day I found out I got the Vermont First Scholarship, I started crying. I had been planning on staying home to work because I couldn't afford college otherwise. Champlain made it possible for me to earn a college degree, pursue my career, and realize that I could grow and flourish if I put in the work.

How did the Upside-Down Curriculum impact your education?

I loved all of the production classes. Having a camera in my hands on the first day of school was so unique. Being able to practice so much in my classes made me feel better prepared to get an internship and work as a freelancer in the film industry starting in my first year of school. In the Production Management course, we learned how to be an Assistant Director (AD), and we used the software that professionals use on blockbuster pictures to go through the process an AD does during pre-production on a feature film.

How did Champlain prepare you for the professional world?

I completed over ten internships and freelancing assignments during my time at Champlain, including working for companies like BBC Three UK, Vice Media, Wild Hart Gin, and Ned Kelly Pictures in Dublin, Ireland. I was able to bring industry knowledge and experience to each internship because of the content I created and experienced in my classrooms. I came into each role knowing exactly how to do my job and elevate the expectations that were given to me because I'd done it before at Champlain.


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