Cole Drouin

BFA in Film and Media Arts

SP 2025

Graduation: SP 2026

To be where I am today, I have had a lot of people pushing me and giving me input, which has been so valuable in learning more and getting better in this field. I find that the key advice, given to me by Professor Echeverry, of working with a smile and being passionate about what you do, even if you are not the best, very valuable as that can make a difference. If it wasn’t for narrative production with Professor Curry, I wouldn’t have learned how important pre-production is, and I wouldn’t have had the experience in producing and assistant directing which had taught me how to communicate with others, and properly plan. In screenwriting with Professor Rice, I learned the fundamental skills of writing to tell a story, and he has always pushed to give me the tools to properly write a script. I also had him for documentary and he would always give new techniques in and out of class to make a better film. He showed me valuable skills in Premiere and he always is willing to meet up and teach new skills with the camera and always offers feedback which makes me a better filmmaker.

I cherish my work best as a director as I can communicate to the actors with what I envision. I also enjoy being creative while controlling the story that is being told. In my film Skyfall: But Modified  I worked heavily with the actors to pursue the story, while also controlling the actions that they do to express emotions visually. I also value my work as a producer and/or AD where I believe I am great with the managerial details needed to get the production on its feet and stay with it through the whole project. I am a good communicator and can be very transparent with the parties involved which makes the process a whole bunch smoother. I have been able to secure locations even the hardest of times and pressure of time weighing in on us. Since taking cinematography, I also believe I am better with the camera and can better frame a shot, and understand where the shot needs to take place. 

I often think about my weaknesses so that I can be better as a person and a filmmaker. I honestly find that I am not the best with lighting, and that is something I need to learn more about. I have had plenty of training in it, though I could come to understand how to use the light to pursue different visions. I know basic lighting, but I do want to be better and learn more industrial lighting. To overcome this weakness, I will end up picking up more readings and watching more tutorials to better understand lighting and how to get it to do what I want. Though I know how to write and can write scrips, I wish I could be a better storyteller, so to overcome this, I will look at taking another screenwriting course so I can become a better writer. One that can tell good stories packed with compact plots and in-depth characters. 

When I graduate I expect to be a director as that is my end of career goal. I also see myself going into producing as I am really good at film research and working from start to finish on a film. I enjoy being a part of every part of the process, and this role would allow me to do that. I will be pursuing my passion of working with people directly as a director or producer on a film. I really expect to get contacts from my time here at UT as a FMA BFA and meet new people who will be in the industry who I can work with one day, all while gaining new knowledge everyday to be the best filmmaker I can be.