[The following interview was conducted by SAE Institute Atlanta Digital Film students, Victoria Barkley and Rachel Sampson.]
From Victoria Barkley: Hello, my name is Victoria Barkley and as a student at SAE Institute Atlanta pursuing a degree in the art of filmmaking, it excites me to explore the perspective of others whose passion for this art form exists in a similar vein to mine. One of the greatest advantages of being a part of an academic institution is being surrounded by a community made up of a multitude of perspectives – all of which arise from different scopes of life. In particular, my experience with Ronquel Robinson, an instructor of Digital Film and Program Chair at SAE Institute Atlanta, is a perfect example.
Follow along as we explore more about Ron, what he enjoys about working with students on campus, and the advice he has for those who want to pursue a career in Film.
The inspiration behind a career in film.
Ron often describes his life as “a movie”, as the things he experienced as a child felt as though he was viewing them on a screen. It wasn’t until his football teammate decided they should document everything around the school, that he found his passion for film. Being tasked with documenting all the clubs around the school and learning the importance of capturing memories led him to work with groups such as the Beta and Agriculture Clubs. His work even extended outside of school to local mechanic shops. These experiences not only gave him a technical understanding of camera work, but also granted him a new art form to permanently capture the world around him. That was just the beginning of passion for film, storytelling, and production.
The first SAE Institute Film Festival
Connecting with students is the most important part of Ron’s position as an instructor. Earlier this year, his students had the opportunity to participate in SAE’s first film festival. Students collaborated with each other to submit films that explored the horror genre. From there, the winners of the festival were given the experience of showcasing their work at the 2024 Buried Alive Film Festival. Jeff LaPread speaks highly of Ron’s impact on him and his confidence in entering the festival. Ron encouraged him not to “dim his light.’ With renewed confidence in his ability to tell a compelling story, Jeff entered the festival and was one of this year’s winners.
You presented at last year’s Buried Alive Film Festival. What did you share and why do you think having more film festivals in the future is important for students?
“My speech during the BAFF was about having a mentor and the concept of continuously learning. My job as an instructor and mentor is to push my students to be greater versions of themselves and to pursue every avenue of their passions. A lot of people think that learning stops when they step out of the classroom; however, my philosophy is that you can learn from anybody in any setting. Students aggressively find mentors, mentors search intentionally for students.
I think that having the opportunity to see their films on the big screen in front of a professional film festival audience instead of the typical school atmosphere is something that is necessary to have before you graduate rather than after you graduate from film school. I want the students to go through the process of a film festival, like participating in the live Q&A.”
Advice for those who are beginning a career in digital film?
Mr. Robinson often tells his students, “Appreciate the rooms or situations that you are blessed to be in because of the camera.” He goes on to state “Making a name for yourself with the relationships you build by networking can last forever, which cultivates a business opportunity that benefits everyone.”
Your favorite film?
The Wolf of Wall Street and Catch Me If You Can both capture the full spectrum of a person’s life, much like Forrest Gump. These films explore the highs and lows of their characters’ journeys, making them relatable and cinematic. Even the darkest moments are portrayed with a sense of beauty, turning the struggles and flaws of life into something both captivating and human.
From Rachel Sampson: Victoria and I appreciate the mentorship and opportunities that have been afforded to us from Mr. Ron Robinson. Being a part of the film festival and getting to participate in the process ignited my fire when it comes to film. I see life in color and believe that someone belongs in front of my camera, and vice versa!
Thanks for reading!
For more information about SAE Institute Atlanta or the Digital Film program, visit us online or connect with us on social media @saeinstituteusa.
