From Classroom to Camera: How the Marriage of Education and Filmmaking Can Launch Your Movie Dreams

Introduction: Lights, Camera, Action—And a Little Bit of College

If you’re a young filmmaker, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Do I really need film school to make movies?” Or maybe you’re already in college, wondering how to turn your passion for storytelling into a career. In a recent episode of The MAKE IT Podcast, hosts Chris Barkley and Nick Buggs sat down with filmmaker and educator Mariah Kramer to explore these very questions. Their conversation is a masterclass in the marriage of academia and filmmaking, packed with real-world advice, hilarious anecdotes, and the kind of inspiration every aspiring director, writer, or producer needs.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first festival premiere or just want to know how to get your foot in the door, this blog post will break down the highlights of their discussion. You’ll learn why community matters, how to network without feeling fake, and why your next big break might come from the most unexpected place. Ready to roll? Let’s dive in.

The Marriage of Education and Filmmaking: Why Both Matter

Mariah Kramer’s journey is proof that you don’t have to choose between academia and artistry. As a senior lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Vanderbilt University, she’s uniquely positioned to see how the two worlds collide—and how they can work together to launch the next generation of filmmakers.

“I made a short documentary called This is My Home Now. It premiered on PBS and ran on their station for about five years,” Mariah shares. But her story doesn’t stop there. She’s also in post-production on a short fiction film and is the co-founder of not one, but two film festivals: the Up Tilt Film Festival in North Carolina and the Point of View Student Film Festival at Vanderbilt.

For Mariah, the marriage of education and filmmaking isn’t just about learning technical skills—it’s about building a community. “One of the things that they’re really trying to do in our department is to grow the department and to help build a sense of community and camaraderie between the students,” she explains. “I think I was a natural fit for that to be the Director of Undergraduate Studies.”

Takeaway:

Don’t see college as a detour from your movie dreams. Instead, think of it as a launchpad—a place to meet collaborators, experiment with new ideas, and build the network that will support you throughout your career.

Building Camaraderie: Why Community Is Your Secret Weapon

If you’ve ever felt like filmmaking is a solo sport, think again. As Chris and Nick point out, camaraderie is the byproduct of collaboration—and collaboration is at the heart of every great movie.

“Camaraderie is a byproduct of the filmmaking process, because the filmmaking process is collaborative, and collaboration is the catalyst for camaraderie,” one guest notes. It’s a tongue-twister, but it’s also the truth.

Mariah’s experience at Vanderbilt and UNC Wilmington taught her that the best ideas often come from unexpected places. “Our program is small here, but it’s also one of our benefits. It’s also one of the things that students really, I think, appreciate after they go through the program, is that, because it’s small, you get to know every single one of us faculty really well. You get to work on our research projects, and you get to kind of really shape what you want out of the program.”

Actionable Tip:

Get involved in your campus film club, volunteer at local festivals, or just start a group chat with classmates who love movies as much as you do. The connections you make now will be the foundation of your future career.

Film Festivals: More Than Just Red Carpets

If you think film festivals are only for established directors, think again. Mariah’s work with the Point of View Student Film Festival is all about giving students a platform to showcase their work, meet peers from other schools, and learn from industry professionals.

“We will be screening 24 films. We had 51 submissions. So anybody looking to submit, your odds are good right in the beginning years—it’s their inaugural festival,” Mariah says. The festival is free and open to the public, with categories for fiction, non-fiction, and alternative films (including animation and experimental work).

But festivals aren’t just about showing off your latest project. They’re about building relationships. “The primary goal of the film festival is this whole idea of networking, and giving them a space to network with their peers, right? Like not going and networking with people that are already in the industry, networking with each other. Because when they get out there and they’re starting things and doing things, and they run into each other again, it’s building it from the ground up for them, that foundation.”

Pro Tip:

Don’t just attend festivals—participate! Submit your work, volunteer, or even just show up and introduce yourself to other filmmakers. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities might arise.

Networking Without the Ick Factor

Let’s be honest: the word “networking” can make even the most outgoing person cringe. But Mariah offers a fresh perspective: “Just the word network sounds so boring and sounds like something you don’t want to do, and sounds like you have to be super professional… but it’s just that idea of being able to talk to people and to genuinely be curious about what they’re doing, rather than just talking to them to get something from them.”

Nick echoes this sentiment: “The basis for all valuable and long-lasting networking is genuine curiosity.”

How to Network Like a Pro (Without Feeling Fake):

1. Ask questions about other people’s projects.
2. Share your own experiences honestly.
3. Follow up after events with a quick message or email.
4. Offer help or feedback when you can.
5. Remember: today’s peer could be tomorrow’s collaborator.

The Realities of Documentary Filmmaking: Passion Over Profit

The conversation takes a deep dive into the world of documentary filmmaking, especially the challenges of funding and distribution. Mariah is candid about the realities: “Documentary was never profitable. It was always a passion project. It was always about, you know, the idea that sharing stories can make change.”

With potential funding cuts to PBS and the ever-changing landscape of streaming platforms, it’s more important than ever for young filmmakers to be resourceful. “My funding came directly from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting for This is My Home Now. So I’m so appreciative of that, right? So I don’t want to see things like that shrink, and I don’t want it to be harder for filmmakers, especially in the documentary world, that are working on social change type of documentaries, to have a harder time finding funding.”

Advice for Aspiring Documentarians:

• Look for grants and public funding.
• Consider crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe.
• Partner with local organizations or causes.
• Focus on stories that matter to you—passion is contagious.

Entry-Level Jobs: Why Being a PA Might Be Your Best Move

So, you’ve graduated. Now what? The panelists agree: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but starting as a Production Assistant (PA) is a tried-and-true path.

“That’s the first job, and it seems like that is one of the best jobs, even though it seems and it can feel like grunt work, it’s the job that touches every job, right? So you get to be in there. You get to not only meet all these people that grows your network, but you get to see just what you said, which is, you get to see the daily life. You get to see the experience. You get to see how they collaborate with others.”

Mariah adds, “Put yourself in the location around the people that you’re interested in, the type of work that they do, right? How can you get yourself around it? And we always think it has to be a job or an internship, right? It can be a variety of different things. It can be a volunteer. This one’s a really fun one. You can be a background actor.”

Key Takeaway:

Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. Every experience—whether it’s running errands on set, volunteering at a festival, or being an extra—teaches you something valuable and helps you build your network.

Tools of the Trade: What Should Every Film Student Know?

When asked what three things every film student should know by graduation, Mariah doesn’t hesitate:

1. How to network (genuinely!)
2. How to run a camera (any camera, not just one brand)
3. How to edit (even if you don’t want to be an editor, understanding the process is crucial)

She also emphasizes the importance of being a lifelong learner: “The technology is going to ever change, so be prepared to, like, constantly be learning new things. But that community that you build around you and who you can lean on for support when you’re collaborating is vital.”

Pro Tip:

Don’t get hung up on having the latest gear. Focus on mastering the basics and building relationships with people who can teach you new skills.

The Power of Perspective: Why Your Story Matters

One of the most inspiring moments in the conversation comes when Mariah talks about the value of diverse experiences. “At the core, what are we doing? We’re telling stories, right, and we’re communicating and without life experiences. What stories do we have to tell? So if I just have a one track mind, that I just focus on one thing, where, where is that life experience coming from?”

She encourages students to take time between undergrad and grad school, to live a little, and to bring those experiences back to their creative work. “Your graduate experience is going to be that much better if you’re pulling from life experience.”

Challenge:

Step outside your comfort zone. Take a class in something unrelated to film, travel, volunteer, or just try something new. The more you experience, the richer your stories will be.

The Call to Action: Your Next Step

If you’re serious about making movies, building a career in film, or just want to hear from people who’ve been where you are, this episode of The MAKE IT Podcast is a must-listen. Chris, Nick, and Mariah don’t just talk about filmmaking—they live it, and their advice is as real as it gets.

Ready to take your next step?

Listen to or watch the full episode of this conversation on your favorite podcast app or YouTube. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll walk away inspired to make your mark on the world of movies.

What’s your biggest takeaway from this conversation? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know how you’re making your own movie dreams a reality!