In the vast field of film making, not everything can be learned in the classroom.
Not everything can be learned through a “typical” form of education, and not everything can be taught from one perspective.
To combat this issue, film instructor Mark Scheibmeir has encouraged various alumni to discuss real-life applications of film in a professional setting.
“It’s mostly informal in terms of its structure,”
Scheibmeir said. “I think the students have a lot of questions, and the speakers have a lot of experience that they can share.”
When the students aren’t working on projects or assignments, guests can provide an outlook into their experiences that Scheibmeir cannot articulate.
With a curriculum focused on building up essential skills, guests offer a view into the culmination of hard work.
“It’s really nice to get those other people
who come in, like Hunter who’s a screenwriter,” Scheibmeir said. “That’s not what I do. I produce.
Then, you get somebody like Tim, he’s doing advertising. So, there’s a lot of different jobs in entertainment, like casting directors. That’s a huge job and really important in the process.”
Josh Einson is no different. The school’s alumnus’s casting career gives students a valuable connection to a growing industry.
Working on highly regarded films such as This is Us, Einson’s accomplishments are one of many examples of the path in industry.
“It’s really important that students
understand that the entertainment industry is built on relationships,” Scheibmeir said. “It’s also really important to understand how many different jobs that are out there.”
While Scheibmeir’s extensive experience in the industry provides students with a foundation and understanding of the field, alumni across the country add different pieces to a puzzle in film making.
These alumni visits do more than just inform—they inspire. For students dreaming of careers in film, hearing firsthand accounts from professionals who once sat in the same classrooms makes their aspirations feel tangible.
“I can speak to that too in my perspective,
out I’m only one perspective,” Scheibmeir said. “When a guest comes, they really get to talk about experiences in the industry.”
The conversations offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of entertainment, from writing and producing to casting and marketing.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and think critically about their own creative futures.
