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Film Student Finds Home, Influences Peers At SHSU
Nov. 21, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Aubrie Walker
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| Mass comm student Khoi Nguyen takes his camera everywhere, filming even on his Caribbean cruise to Aruba in June 2014. —Submitted photo |
When you watch a movie or short film, you most likely do not think beyond what is being presented on the screen. But behind every film, there has been years of work and planning.
A lot of this production activity leads back to film commissions.
The Houston Film Commission works with both local and out-of-town filmmakers and advertising agencies to make their vision become a reality by providing information and resources to bring that project to life. This includes offering locations and providing contacts, working with police to direct traffic around a set, and knowing rules about local permits.
This is a very important asset to any city and is key for bringing filmmakers to Houston, according to Khoi Nguyen, a junior mass communication major with emphasis in film production.
Nguyen knows, because he has had personal experience working with the Houston Film Commission as its fall 2014 intern.
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| Nguyen with Houston Film Commission deputy director Alfred Cervantes, who says that he " is tireless, not only with us at the internship but with the projects he has going on at school.� —Photo from the Houston Film Commission |
Students from around the Houston area applied and interviewed for the single semester-long internship, which provides hands-on experience working with filmmakers in Houston from around the world.
“Khoi is the first Sam Houston State University student to receive this coveted and competitive internship with Houston Film Commission,” said Tom Garrett, associate professor of mass communications. “I think that he and the film commission are a perfect match.”
Every Thursday and Friday, Nguyen goes to the film commission’s downtown office to find out about upcoming film projects and work on a variety of assignments.
“I get access to feature film scripts that are being shot in Houston,” he said. “I find locations that will fit the film and send it to them. I also visit a different set or studio each week—from a Rockets commercial, to a feature film, Flashback Film’s production house, Blue Ribbon Digital Media, and Adam White Productions.”
Through his time at the Houston Film Commission, Nguyen has learned a lot about the film industry and what it takes to make a production come together successfully.
“My view of the film industry has changed from just being a creative outlet to a business,” said Nguyen. “I see the correct process of getting a film made, from location scouting, to insurance, and hiring crew.
He’s also learned the value of networking, as the internship has provided opportunities for him to mingle with film industry professionals. He’s attended the Business of Film Conference, Austin Film Festival and Houston Cinema Arts Festival, and he hosted the film commission’s First Thursday at Brazil Café in Houston, where the commission screens award-winning short films from around Texas. During the event, he interviewed SXSW short film programmer and operations manager Claudette Godfrey through Skype.
“I have met countless professionals in the industry, all while visiting production and rental housing in the area,” said Nguyen. “On top of that, I get access to feature scripts that are being shot or a first look at short films that are in the festival circuit.”
Nguyen’s hard work has been paying off; he recently was hired to be a line producer for a short film with Cannes award-winning director Anahita Ghazvinizadeh.
“Khoi is tireless, not only with us at the internship but with the projects he has going on at school,” said Alfred Cervantes, deputy director of the Houston Film Commission. “I have never had any intern with the initiative in putting together a tour for students like he did for the film society members (from SHSU). I think that, alone, is a great experience that a lot of students do not get.”
Scenes from a Set |
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| (Top) Nguyen films a scene for a class project in Trinty. (Middle) A "mutant" movie, "Results" tells the story of scientists who attacked while are unknowingly camping at a nuclear test site. (Below) Nguyen and Cody Thompson check out the evening's shot list. —All photos submitted |
Born in Saigon, Nguyen knew “no English at all” when he moved from Vietnam to Texas at age 11 as an international adoptee to distant relatives.
At the time, Nguyen’s adoptive mother was the long-time barber for former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker. When the case was in jeopardy, Baker stepped in and personally sponsored Nguyen’s adoption, providing a letter of support and the legal services of his Houston firm.
“I’m thankful for everything Mr. Baker did,” Nguyen said. “Without his help, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Nguyen’s interest in filmmaking began five years ago while he was still in high school in Alief and Katy.
“I started filming my senior year of high school when I found an old DVT camera and filmed a silly Nerf fight that we had for my birthday,” he said. “I edited it and I liked the process; it was fun to me. That is when I decided to get into film.”
He taught himself camera techniques by making videos of his school’s marching band.
“That is how I really got into cinematography, just filming them over and over,” he said.
While on the search for colleges, Nguyen heard that SHSU was starting a brand new film program.
“I thought rather than competing at a large school like University of Texas, where everything already had been set, I could establish myself better here,” Nguyen said.
“I like it a lot. Within the first month of being here, I was able to gather the best film students we have to work with me and make a project happen that I had been wanting to do for a long time,” he said. “I wouldn't have been able to do this at UT, since I wouldn't have been able to stand out with so many students, nor get the support from the faculty like I did here with Professor Garrett.”
Among his projects is “Siren,” a trailer for an FBI suspense thriller, shot almost entirely on campus, with a cast of students and professional actors. Nguyen served as executive producer and editor, and senior mass communication major Monty Sloan directed.
“Khoi came to me with an idea that he was passionate about and was willing to put in whatever work was necessary to make it happen,” Sloan said. “I’ve never worked with anyone as organized and focused as he is. With my skills and his passion, we made a great team.”
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| The newly formed Film Society toured Blue Ribbon Digital Media. —Submitted |
He’s also worked with many departments on SHSU campus for several projects, including narrative films, documentaries, music videos, public service announcements, and promos. He also founded and serves as president of The Film Society, a newly formed official production-oriented film society.
“I always tell my students to find something they love to do, to go where they can to do it, but as soon as you’re there, help someone else out. Khoi Nguyen exemplifies this mantra,” said Garrett. “He is a producer and has a natural knack of instilling trust and enthusiasm. He is exceptionally responsible self-starter who has supported and encouraged many underclassmen in our film program.”
Through all of these experiences, Nguyen is working to achieve what he set out to do when he chose SHSU—he’s establishing himself here. But if all goes as planned, he also may be adding to the overall culture of film in the still-new program.
“My hope is to create a community here where all the filmmakers can get help and support, because we all know ‘it takes a village to make a movie,’” said Nguyen. “I see a lot of talents and drive in the people I have invested my time in. That drive is not something easy to find, but once you have it you're bound to be successful no matter what.
“Hopefully within five years, I can come back and see that there is a community here that is not just taking classes and leaving with a degree but are coming here and are creating movies together.”
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