The Starting Point: UNCW FST-201 Intro To Film Production

       I feel lucky and excited for being a film studies major student at UNCW. In the beginning, I didn't think I would get accepted into the major, but I believe that I can succeed if I put my mind to it. In high school, I made some short videos and music videos with my friends, and was the first time I found out my passion of filmmaking. For the most part, I helped with editing. Sometimes, I helped the cameraman with picture compositions. It was funny and unforgettable doing these video projects. It didn't matter how much time we spent or how good our products were. I could always get the sense of achievement from being a part of the group.   
      Since I didn't have a lot of experience and knowledge about filmmaking, I am not sure what I really like about filmmaking. Generally, I am interested in doing visual special effects, editing and being a photographer. I hope I can learn the different aspects of film production and have a broader view about them.  After that, I can figure out what I am good at and will particularly stick to studying it. I believe that as long as I find something that I like to do, I can do it good!    
      After finishing my undergraduate college life as a film studies major, I want to go to California to continue my graduate school studies. Hopefully, I can find an internship or a part-time job with filmmaking so I can study and work at the same time. If someone asks me to imagine where I will be in ten years, I will think about two futures for myself. First, I will be living in Los Angles and working in company as a postproduction filmmaker and will have chance to join Hollywood movie productions. Second, I will go back to my home country, China, after finishing my studies in the U.S. I will be a member of one of the most famous studios and will try to use my knowledge to help make more good Chinese movies.    
     I like to think about the future, but the future has always felt too vague, so I attempt to not make any long-term goals or having any dream. Also, I like to make different backup plans when I take a chance or risks because I believe that “Changes always go beyond plans”(A Chinese idiom).