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The Future of Film: Mick Spyder Dobrofsky

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar CourtneyBenjamin
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Rachel Miller
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.

 

This week, we sat down with the talented (and cute!) senior Film and Media Studies major, Mick Dobrofsky, to talk about his successes in the film industry and his plans for life after he leaves our little slice of paradise for the big bad world of Hollywood filmmaking.  With multiple scripts and short films under his belt, Mick is definitely one to keep your eye on. Here’s what he had to say about life and pursuing your dreams:

What made you decide to pursue a career in filmmaking?

I knew the passion was there the second I got my first camera — a super old Sony handy-cam. It was a total piece of junk, but it got the job done and ignited my passion for making movies. 

 

What is your favorite part of making a film?

Writing and directing are by far my favorite parts of the process. I still get a kick out of editing and shooting though!

 

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? Your biggest setback?

That would be “Out of Focus,” a 27-minute short film. From pre-production to finish, it took a little over 8 months, and I’ll tell you, we faced many challenges. From terrible weather (wind totally botching my boom mic) to getting Paramount to do post-production audio (a blessing!), it was a tedious process. But, I am incredibly happy and proud of the final product.

Tell us more about “Out of Focus”!

The story: A photographer who can’t see the big picture. It’s really a tale of growing up and getting out of your comfort zone, which, in the case of our protagonist Charles, is to stop hiding behind his camera. It takes Lia, a carefree, in-the-moment girl, to get him to take a leap and shake up his carefully constructed world.

I was fortunate enough to get two industry actors: Cody Kennedy and Isiah Adams (check ’em out!) as my co-leads, as well as Dash Dobrofsky and Steven Gridley to make up my all-star cast. Actors are everything, and this bunch is incredibly talented and brought a powerful dimension to my story. For more fun, check out the website: www.outoffocusthemovie.com

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years, I’ll be doing the exact same thing…but, hopefully, with a bigger budget!

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers?

I have one piece of advice for future filmmakers: make movies. The only way I’ve learned anything is by making the mistakes myself. You vastly improve with each film, and it’s an exciting process each time.

 

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Hell, it’s clichĂ©, but my parents are my inspirations. They both have been writing for 20+ years, and, to this day, they still work their asses off like it’s their first spec.

 

Favorite movie/director?

Favorite director… that’s a tricky one. I’ll give you two: David Fincher and James Cameron. Other than the fact that these two guys can tell a beautiful story, it’s the variety. Cameron’s huge jump from sci-fi to Romance and Fincher’s flipping from thriller to epic drama…that’s art.

 

What is your ultimate goal for the future, and how do you plan on getting there?

The goal is to keep improving on all fronts and to really explore some of the genres that I have always wanted to make. I truly believe success, and the resources that come with such success, all come down to passion and drive. I want it badly. I guess we’ll see where it takes me.

 

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I am a senior Film and Media Studies major and artist who plans to write professionally one day. I hope to one day be able to inspire others through my work!
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Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!