Major: Film Studies
Minors: Theatre, Fiction Filmmaking and Screenwriting
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Jeff Wray:
“I have had the good fortune of having Jonathan Urbin as a student for the last two years. In Film Directing his work stood out as uniquely creative and very well made. He is obviously talented but more so Jonathan willingly shares his skills, time and energy with his classmates and fellow emerging filmmakers. He always enters with a smile and an easy-going presence. That he leads with both kindness and determination has been evident this year in the Fiction Film Capstone. Jonathan receives much love and respect for what he knows, what does, and how he does it. Congrats!”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I would describe my time with the Film Studies program as both phenomenal and invaluable. From freshman year to now, my appreciation for filmmaking, storytelling and performance has doubled. And the opportunities that arouse, whether that be the TIFF trip or just late night shoots with friends, have helped define who I am and cemented that this the industry I want to pursue.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
In terms of professors and assignments, the two names that come to mind are Pete Johnston and Josh Yumibe. Professor Pete has been a part of my film studies journey since the beginning and has given me so many great experiences. From FLM260 allowing me to create my own films and test the waters of directing, all the way to the Toronto International Film Festival study abroad trip where Pete promoted maximizing our experience, he has been a champion when it comes to my passion for film. And professor Yumibe gave me the tools to truly analyze and process the intricacies of film as an art form. Whether it be film’s historical ties, theories and movements, or the precise use of color, he has always given me the space to expand my ideas and practice meaningful research (like a fifteen-page historical analysis of Godzilla’s showa-era films!). The last experience I want to shout it is the TIFF trip I previously mentioned. It is potentially the greatest learning experience of my life and I have met some of my closest friends and seen some of my favorite films on this excursion. And I was lucky enough to attend three times!
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I believe the best way to experience the film studies program is to try everything. Write a screenplay, study abroad, test out a camera from the film lab, collaborate with the Digital Storytelling students, or get involved with Filmmaker’s Club or Telecasters. Whatever experience you can get your hands on, give it a go! It will help streamline your learning and help you to find others with similar passions. And that is the biggest strength of the department, the incredible staff and students who all share a common love for one of the most powerful mediums the world has to offer.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
This academic year I have been the casting director, 2nd assistant director and post production supervisor for the fiction filmmaking capstone film Fault! It has been unbelievably rewarding to see this project come to life, and it has connected me with so many amazing people. That’s all behind the camera, but in front of the camera and on stage I have been equally busy! I acted in the Digital Storytelling capstone’s film Tripp and Chadwick: Code Pink which has been a blast. Another amazing opportunity with an equally awesome cast and crew. And I was in both MSU theatre’s productions of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull and their first ever live studio sitcom, That RA Life! Balancing work behind the camera, in front of the camera, and on the page has been wonderful, and I feel they have all truly tested and expanded my abilities beyond belief. This truly feels like the culmination of everything college has prepared me for!
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
I hope to continue creating. Whether that be acting, directing, or just writing whatever ideas come into my head, I absolute love the art form and hope that this passion follows me for the rest of my life.