#(this is that film major dancing kid i met during my internship)

[allroseshave-their-pricks]

"send me a picture of your sexy ghost costume. also I was sexy Link for Halloween"

"haha will do! And can I have pictures of your costume?"

"no"

[manelyec]

Lights, Camera, Action - EC Student Spotlight on Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson knew from a young age that he was meant to work in the film industry.

“I was around seven years old and my mom had a friend that worked for Turner Broadcasting Studios,” Wesley said. “I started off as an extra for Cartoon Network, dancing in a group with other kids during commercial breaks and was upgraded to MC, introducing the next show.”

Being on set at such a young age, Wesley felt right at home.  Now a junior, Digital Media Production major at Emmanuel, Wesley is taking a step toward making his dream come true by participating in  the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) Best Semester Program with the LA Film Studies Program, in Los Angeles, CA.

In January, Wesley traveled to LA where he will take his minor classes and participate in an internship program in the film industry, gaining the hands-on experience he’ll need as an aspiring director, screenwriter, and producer. He will return from the experience at the end of April.

It was the opportunity to participate in the “Best Semester Program” that led Wesley to ultimately choose EC.

“I had a few options and went to a few Preview events,” Wesley said. “I went to Preview at EC, knowing that I wanted to go into the film industry and met with Dr. Jennifer Benson and she was fantastic. She was the one who told me about the opportunity I had here at EC to go to LA and that was the deciding factor. After that, I knew I wanted to go to EC where I could have that kind of opportunity.”

While at EC, Wesley’s passion for film has only broadened, with the hands-on experience he’s gained helping him become more driven to reach his goal.

“EC has a fantastic Communication Department, very hands-on,” Wesley said. “They appeal to kinesthetic learners that want to get their hands on things and gain experience, which it’s great. It’s less about the lectures and more about what you can accomplish during your time here, which was a huge help.”

Wesley has had the opportunity to study under Mr. Clint Ross, the head of the Digital Media Production concentration at EC, who he calls both a mentor and guide.

“Mr. Ross recently won a Pitch Contest in LA, so he has kept me hungry and striving to get there,” Wesley said. “He continues to feed me that confidence and sees something in me that I don’t quite see yet. Him telling me that I have this kind of untapped potential, it makes me want to dig dep and find out exactly what he sees in me.”

What makes Emmanuel unique to Wesley?

“The size,” Wesley said. “The classroom size has helped me gain the proper knowledge I need going into my field. I could have easily gone to a bigger university, but I don’t think I would have had the same opportunities. You have a class of 100, where students are referred to as a number versus a school like Emmanuel where the biggest class size you’ll have is 20-25 students. At Emmanuel, you have the opportunity to interact with your professors daily, they know you by name. It’s a pretty smooth transition from high school.”

One day, Wesley hopes to be a film director, among the likes of Spike Lee and Stephen Spielberg, and he strongly believes the experience he’s gained at Emmanuel College and the “Best Semester Program” will lead him to success.

While in LA, Wesley has chosen to complete his internship with Indi.com, a start-up advertising and marketing company located on the Oprah Winfrey lot, and has gained ample experience from his time there.

“I operated the camera for the red carpet at the BET Black Film Festival Awards and stood inches away from huge stars,” Wesley said.  “When I tell people I’m from Atlanta they get really excited and continue to tell me about the opportunities there are back home. I’ve made some great connections.”

He has also been in contact with EC Alumni, Sara Ray and Jenna Nicholson-Grieb who both live and work in LA, and have helped Wesley get settled and acclimated to the area.

Wesley believes stepping out of his comfort zone and traveling across the country to participate in the Best Semester Program will help him in the long run.

“It’s all about networking and who you know,” Wesley said. “Going to LA, a place I’ve never been before, I’m able to make connections that can help me in furthering my career down the road.”

As only the second student from Emmanuel College to participate in the CCCU Best Semester Program, Wesley encourages other students interested in gaining hands-on experience to apply.

“I’m surprised more students don’t apply,” Wesley said. “All you need is a decent GPA and a few letters of recommendation. Don’t be afraid to take risks, step out of your comfort zone and follow your dream.”

Interested in participating in the Best Semester program? Visit www.bestsemester.com for more information!