ALLENDALE, Mich. — Many students across West Michigan are preparing to graduate from their respective colleges this May. Within GVSU's film and video production class of 2024 is the next generation of visual creatives. This year, for the first time, they're inviting employers and alumni to campus to show off the work they've achieved throughout their time at GVSU.
The inaugural "Capstone Celebration" is designed to give students the chance to demonstrate their talents and lineup of works they've accumulated during their time at the college in a career fare-style for past alumni and media professionals to see.
When asked about how he'd describe his graduating class, student and animator Kobe Wright said his class embodied what he called the "four P's".
"Passion, persistence, patience and perseverance," said Wright.
Wright has been an artist since he was 2 years old, and has amassed a portfolio of works from animations to graphic design during his time at the college.
He's now ready to show his works off on Wednesday, alongside fellow student Len Tran who is a creative producer.
Tran took a long road to get to where she is today, but wouldn't change a thing.
"I've always had an interest in film. I love watching movies," said Tran. "[But] I brushed it to the side because it didn't feel realistic to me."
Yet Tran navigated through a major in social work and then one in liberal studies - which brought her right back around to what she loved.
"And here I am about to graduate and I'm so so grateful that I followed my intuition," Tran said.
Wright and Tran are two of many who will pack GVSU's Calder Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, April 17 with demo reels, posters and themselves to make new connections and demonstrate not only the power of filmmaking but the power of this year's graduating class.
"There's so many different skill sets that you learn through doing film," said Tran. "We're all just very eager to dip our toes into things."
"People will come to this event [and] they will be greeted with nothing but raw talent and passion," said Wright.
"Recruiters who are looking for people who can provide passion, look no further than Grand Valley [and] this this event here," Kobe said.
GVSU's inaugural film and video capstone event takes place Wednesday, April 17 from 4-7pm at GVSU's Calder Fine Arts Center at their Allendale campus. The event is completely free of charge.
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