I had always been a dramatic child, I can remember from a young age playing with my friends and directing the scene, telling everyone what to do. (I don't know why people would call that being bossy, it is clearly being a director). I first got behind the camera for my football team in the 7th grade. I recorded every game for them to study. It never really bothered me that they didn't know who I was, they knew my work. Even at the end of the season, a player would see me on the bus for an away game, "Who are you?" "I run the camera..." "Oh, cool you the guy who makes those cool videos?” I loved being behind the camera, but I didn't really consider going into the film industry, even though I made several short films with my aunt and cousins.
It wasn't until 2003 that I decided that filmmaking was the path for me. My family was living in California and I had been studying chemistry at my local college (science being my other childhood love), and taking some drama classes for fun. I started to feel more and more passionate about being part of the plays we put on, and less passionate about chemistry. About this time I started producing videos for my church, mostly announcement videos and a few sermon illustrations. But I would go to all the services just to see people's reaction to my films. It was this more than anything that told me that this was the life for me.
Shortly after that, I first heard about the School of Digital Filmmaking (SDF). This was exactly what I had been looking for. In fact, the email the school leader sent me about the school, contained entire paragraphs that were almost exactly, word for word, what I had been describing to people as what I was looking for. A School that focused on teaching people to make good films and to be a Christian in the film industry, not a school that taught people to make christian films, and sermon illustrations, (don't get me wrong those are great things and we need them, but I wanted something more).
So I went to Texas in 2004 to do my own DTS, since it is a requirement for taking another courses with YWAM. There I learned what it meant to follow God and to draw close to him.
When I finished DTS, I went back to Hawaii for my SDF and learned what it meant to work. I was pushed further than I had ever been before. I was surrounded by other passionate filmmakers, and I loved it. I learned so much, not only about film making, but about who I am. It was one of those major turning points in life.
After the school was finished the school leader asked me if I would go to Australia to help him start an SDF in Brisbane. It didn't take me long to decide that Australia was exactly where God wanted me.
I have been living here in Australia for the past 6 years. It has become my home, and I plan on being here for at least the next several years. This is where God wants me. I have become amazingly passionate about teaching. Each year, the students come with awesome talent. That talent gets shaped and refined and they come out incredible filmmakers. And I get to help. How cool is that!
