Photo 14 Aug My Mom sent me this picture to my cellphone today, from California. This is it, closure (somewhat) of this chapter of my life. Graduate school is complete, I have received my diploma, and that is that. The only thing preventing complete closure from grad school is the completion of post productions of the films I submitted as my thesis. But that will take some time, but will be finished. Everything feels surreal. This piece of paper is the product of a cumulative education of well over $300,000, several thousands of hours of hard work, and an uncountable number of friendships and life long relationships built. This piece of paper has caused me more physical and emotional grief than anything I’ve done in my entire life. I still can’t believe I finished. I also understand that this piece of paper will not guarantee me or help me get jobs, what I have learned while getting it will. I am a completionist, this piece of paper means more to me than it will to anyone who will ever see it. You can bet your ass that if there was a PhD for Cinematography at my school I would’ve done it. People always asked me if they need film school or if it was worth it. Film school is only as much as you want to get out of it. It’s not for everybody. I’m glad I went, and I don’t regret it at all. The amount of things I learned during it, regardless of whether from instructors, or peers, is absolutely invaluable. I met some of the most incredible people during it. My best friends have been a amazing support system through it and grad school has strengthened my relationships with them and my parents. I can’t even begin to talk about how supportive everyone online through Vimeo, Tumblr, and Twitter have been. Whether it was to share experiences, or to comfort me while I was working for days on end straight, all of your encouragement has been so helpful, and I am extremely appreciative of it.  Thank you for everything Tumblr friends. It’s been a wild ride. I will still keep this Tumblr as I begin post work on my films. It’s been a rough summer of work, so there has been a slight hiatus in that department, but things are about to change.

My Mom sent me this picture to my cellphone today, from California.

This is it, closure (somewhat) of this chapter of my life. Graduate school is complete, I have received my diploma, and that is that. The only thing preventing complete closure from grad school is the completion of post productions of the films I submitted as my thesis. But that will take some time, but will be finished.

Everything feels surreal. This piece of paper is the product of a cumulative education of well over $300,000, several thousands of hours of hard work, and an uncountable number of friendships and life long relationships built. This piece of paper has caused me more physical and emotional grief than anything I’ve done in my entire life. I still can’t believe I finished. I also understand that this piece of paper will not guarantee me or help me get jobs, what I have learned while getting it will.

I am a completionist, this piece of paper means more to me than it will to anyone who will ever see it. You can bet your ass that if there was a PhD for Cinematography at my school I would’ve done it.

People always asked me if they need film school or if it was worth it.

  • Film school is only as much as you want to get out of it.
  • It’s not for everybody.
  • I’m glad I went, and I don’t regret it at all.
  • The amount of things I learned during it, regardless of whether from instructors, or peers, is absolutely invaluable.
  • I met some of the most incredible people during it.
  • My best friends have been a amazing support system through it and grad school has strengthened my relationships with them and my parents.
  • I can’t even begin to talk about how supportive everyone online through Vimeo, Tumblr, and Twitter have been. Whether it was to share experiences, or to comfort me while I was working for days on end straight, all of your encouragement has been so helpful, and I am extremely appreciative of it. 

Thank you for everything Tumblr friends. It’s been a wild ride. I will still keep this Tumblr as I begin post work on my films. It’s been a rough summer of work, so there has been a slight hiatus in that department, but things are about to change.


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