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FSU Alumni Video Series

In these videos we hope to provide information on some subjects that may not be covered in your standard FSU curriculum from former FSU Film School alumni currently working in their chosen fields. While FSU does an excellent job educating and giving you hands on experience there are just some things that can not translate from student film sets to large scale productions; roles change, are divided up among more positions, and new jobs are added the bigger the production gets. There are a million facets of film making and a million jobs to go along with them, some of which you may not even know about yet! These are all things we wish we knew in school and will hopefully give you a jump start on your chosen career path. This is an active page and we will have more videos and talks for you all as more alumni find new things they want to share. 

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Know that all of the Alumni feel for you during this uncertain time and we are here to help further your education while you can not be in class. When things to return to normal we will be in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and all over the country waiting for your arrival! 

Aaron Moorhead - BFA 08 - How To Make A First Feature

Aaron Moorhead - BFA 08 - How To Make A First Feature

In this video Aaron breaks down the practical steps one might take when approaching making your first independent feature film.
Nicole Groton - BFA 09 - Funding Your First Feature
40:31

Nicole Groton - BFA 09 - Funding Your First Feature

In this talk Nicole talks about the different ways she went about funding her first feature film Darkness in Tenement 45.
Dani Fiondella - MFA Writing 2019 - Internships
13:52

Dani Fiondella - MFA Writing 2019 - Internships

Here, Dani talks about her experience getting an internship, what it means, and how it can help you in the long run.
Ron Johnson_ - BFA10 - Freelance To Starting a VFX & Animation Company
15:51

Ron Johnson_ - BFA10 - Freelance To Starting a VFX & Animation Company

In this video Ron explains his process of starting a VFX and animation company. He also gives out some overall amazing advice on starting your career.
Terry Beck - BFA 18 - The Role of a VFX Coordinator
18:07

Terry Beck - BFA 18 - The Role of a VFX Coordinator

Terry gives an outline of what it means to be a VFX Coordinator and what that means for the client and vendor side along with some good rules in order to be a good coordinator.
Hunter Trueman - BFA 15 - Starting A Production Company
24:53

Hunter Trueman - BFA 15 - Starting A Production Company

Box Party Films founder Hunter Trueman details advice for starting a production company and what to expect the first year.
Kelly Bumford - BFA 09 - The Role of a Line Producer
24:19

Kelly Bumford - BFA 09 - The Role of a Line Producer

In this video Kelly breaks down the roles and responsibilities of a line producer.
Andrew Adams - BFA 08 - Making Travel Videos
27:51

Andrew Adams - BFA 08 - Making Travel Videos

Andrew breaks down how to use your skills you learned at FSU to make a living making travel videos around the world!!!
Andrew Adams - BFA 08 - Directing For Hire
20:16

Andrew Adams - BFA 08 - Directing For Hire

Andrew explains some practical advice on getting paid to direct.
Eric Bader - MFA 2009 - Music Video Cinematography
09:15

Eric Bader - MFA 2009 - Music Video Cinematography

In this video Eric Breaks down and talks about cinematography in music videos. From simple performance to big budget effects videos he lays out the ins and outs.
Carissa Dorson - BFA 10 - Career Path And Personal Projects
19:35

Carissa Dorson - BFA 10 - Career Path And Personal Projects

Carissa goes over her personal journey to becoming a cinematographer. Along the way she talks about maintaining a personal hobby and how it can feed into your career, personal gear talk, Networking, and advice for those heading out to LA.
Will Sampson - BFA 09 - The Roles Of A Camera Operator On Set
25:54

Will Sampson - BFA 09 - The Roles Of A Camera Operator On Set

Here Will breaks down the roles and responsibilities of a camera operator on set as well as the individual interaction between department heads you can expect to encounter.
Will Sampson - BFA 09 - What Is In My Operator Set Bag
09:51

Will Sampson - BFA 09 - What Is In My Operator Set Bag

Here Will goes through some things he might bring with him to set any given day to help him be comfortable, do his job, be prepared, and safe.
Will Sampson - BFA 08 - Steadicam Overview
30:11

Will Sampson - BFA 08 - Steadicam Overview

In this video Will outlines what a steadicam is and why you might choose it to accomplish your shot. He also outlines its limitations and comparison to other stabilizer systems as well as listing a few pet peeves you can avoid when you have a steadicam on set.
Erica Chan - MFA 2015 - Camera Prep
12:43

Erica Chan - MFA 2015 - Camera Prep

In this video Erica breaks down the steps to take before and during camera prep.

Melisse Sporn - BFA 14 - 1st AC A-Z From Getting Jobs To Joining The Union

Melisse breaks down the role of a 1st AC along with some of the more practical aspects of balancing your schedule, joining the union, what she carries in her kit.
Iliana Ipes - BFA 2018 - 2nd AC Overview & What's In Her Bag
16:50

Iliana Ipes - BFA 2018 - 2nd AC Overview & What's In Her Bag

Iliana goes over the roles, responsibilities, and gear involved with being a 2nd AC.
Jacob Abrams - BFA 11 - DMX 101
11:41

Jacob Abrams - BFA 11 - DMX 101

Jacob breaks down the basics of DMX operation.
Kyle Bart Reid - MFA '11 - The Low-Down on Run-N'-Gun Film Lighting
17:32

Kyle Bart Reid - MFA '11 - The Low-Down on Run-N'-Gun Film Lighting

Kyle Breaks down some scenes to help explain the strategies and ideas behind the pressure of Run-N-Gun lighting setups from his past work... In hilarious fashion.
Tiara Olson - BFA 18 - Starting My Career At A G&E Rental House
19:40

Tiara Olson - BFA 18 - Starting My Career At A G&E Rental House

Tiara Olson started in LA as an intern at a Grip & Electric rental house. In this video, she describes the beginning of her journey to becoming a Local 80 Grip and Non-Union Electrician. Tiara also goes through the tools she brings with her to work as a grip, and what you need as an electric.
Arielle Heiman - BFA18 - Assistant Editing and Post PA work
06:17

Arielle Heiman - BFA18 - Assistant Editing and Post PA work

In this video Arielle Talks about her past job as a post PA and her current work as an assistant editor and what the roles are for these positions in the post department.
Michael Felker - BFA 10 - Editing Remotely
06:32

Michael Felker - BFA 10 - Editing Remotely

Felker gives an overview of editing remotely either in these trying times or from examples from features he has worked on in the past.
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