Letters from Alumni

From Aneesh

You ever hear your parents or grandparents or teachers or anyone older than you comment on how fast the world is changing? How much more is expected? How much more is required?

Well all that’s true. And from the few months that I’ve spent in Los Angeles, studying and working, I can tell you that that is exceptionally true about the film industry.

Take one look at the emerging talent from screenplays and feature films and even television and you’ll notice one thing: everyone is young. In fact, just a year ago, a group of 40 and older television writers filed a lawsuit against talent agencies all across town for ageism.

And while there are exceptional, older writers that don’t deserve to be jobless, there is a reason talent agencies seek younger people: They’re really good.

I work at Intrepid Pictures, a production company in Santa Monica, California, and I read a whole lot of scripts and see a whole lot of director reels. And one thing that I notice is, again, everyone is young.

Obviously these guys aren’t teens, but for an industry that usually values age and solid experience, it’s a very cool phenomenon.

When I was interviewing for jobs across town, everyone asked how a freshman like me could have the experience I have. They looked at my resume and quite a few people asked me if I was sure I was a freshman.

I am a Production Major. I attend the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, which is arguably the most prestigious film school in the nation, with an acceptance rate lower than Harvard Law. It accepts about 30 people from 4 to 6 thousand applicants.

When I first got there, my first question was: “Everyone is going be better than me, huh?”

The answer: “No”. Actually, “absolutely not”.

Sure, there are people better than me, but it was at orientation that I realized what Valley had really done for me. For even in a group of thirty very talented young minds, there will be a group of people that come out on top.

And how does that happen? Experience.

This single word can encompass everything that Valley gave me. Nate Marshall, who I consider a close friend of mine, has given me so much of this word it’s almost embarrassing to say.

Marshall directs a very fine film department that not only instills passion, but fosters it and teaches students to utilize it in creative ways. He encourages us to follow even a little stem of an idea to the end. He offers projects to us – projects that challenge us and motivate us at the same time.

Not everything is good. That would be stupid of me to say. But everything is basking in pure and perfect potential. Potential – that I can safely say – will be fostered in this environment. Marshall will hand you the tools to make something awesome. And when it doesn’t work, he’ll hand you more tools. And when that doesn’t work, he’ll hand you some more. But when it finally does, it’s blissful.

And before you know it, you have a tool shed of reliable experience.

That’s what helped me.

99.9% of everything that went on my resume is from things that I did at Valley. Projects I directed, edited, wrote, or even acted in.

And 100% of where I am right now is because of Valley’s film school.

And who knows, you might be just be the next big thing. Because, well let’s face it… you’re old enough.

Welcome to 218. Home to the most promising young minds you’ll see behind a camera.