BFA, Film & Television, 2015
New York, NY
www.evanarikelman
What is your Career Sucess Story?
In 2014, between my junior and senior year of college, I made my thesis film Bandito as part of Advanced Narrative Workshop with Prof. Vondie Hall. This film, written by me and Parker Hill, and produced by Parker Hill and Sebastian Savino, was selected to World Premiere at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.
The success of Bandito has opened many doors for me professionally, expanding my networking circle, and also bringing new jobs to my doorstep. Since graduating in May of 2015, I have been freelancing, creating short content, commercials, and short films for a variety of clients across many fields. Recently, I had my first nationally-aired commercial: "The Push" for Foot Locker.
I am currently writing a feature film script which I hope to complete by summer 2016.
What aspects of your education, including internships and/or student projects, do you think best prepared you for your career?
"It's not the classes you take, it's the hands you shake." Though here in Tisch, the classes were absolutely fantastic, this well-worn phrase certainly carries its weight when applied to film schools. NYU, being one of the best in the world, attracts the highest caliber of craftsman. One of the best things about going to Tisch was having the opportunity to meet and collaborate with the incredible, passionate, determined people who also attended with me. Relationships I made here will stay with me throughout my professional and personal life. That goes for faculty as well. I will always be thankful to the professors and administrators who have guided and supported me, and continue to do so as I find my footing as a filmmaker.
The classes at Tisch allowed me to explore my tastes, experiment with approaches, and develop the tools to create meaningful work. Bandito, my thesis film, has served as an excellent calling card, and I'm grateful to Tisch for allowing me to pursue such an ambitious film.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to accomplish this same achievement?
Be ambitious. Find the stories that you know can stir an audience. Fight for what you believe in. Don't settle.
More details on how we got Bandito into Tribeca can be found in this Indiewire article.