We are so proud to share this recent interview with an incredibly talented high school senior, Owen Atkinson, who’s just been accepted into the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts (FSUFilm) — one of the top public film schools in the nation (consistently ranked among the best, with highly selective admissions)!
What made you apply to the program?
Owen: It’s a top public film school in the nation. My family has been a Florida State family forever, and I’ve been doing film stuff since forever. It was a natural progression — like, oh, I’m just gonna keep climbing. I’d only heard of one other student who went through the program, and she was working on Oscar-nominated stuff this year. Wow, that’s impressive!
What’s your end goal?
Owen: Just to work in the industry and be comfortable. No super specific role right now — I’m happy doing anything. I literally love every single part of it. I want to express my art and have it appreciated, and live comfortably while doing that.
Is your art more toward digital media or digital video?
Owen: Digital video. Videos are my thing.
Tell me about your path — what classes have you taken?
Owen: I’ve taken Digital Video Technology for 4 years. Before that, I was just making stuff at home. Then junior and senior year, I started making things outside of school too — for fun, and I filmed a lot of football stuff for the school. I put everything into a portfolio — all videos — and submitted it. That’s how I got accepted!
How prepared did you feel thanks to your CTE courses here?
Owen: Immensely! Getting certified in the Adobe Suite helped me make stuff on my own. And the teamwork in class — collaborating with peers — that was huge. The collaboration aspects really prepared me for working with others.
Did the CTE classes help you figure out what you wanted?
Owen: Totally. Before high school, I knew I wanted something creative — I just make art and put it out there. Through the program, I realized, oh, I can actually live off the stuff I make. It taught me everything and confirmed this is what I want.
Owen, you’re absolutely killing it! From making videos at home and filming school football games to landing a spot at one of the most competitive film programs out there, your hard work, passion, and talent are paying off huge. We can’t wait to see what stories you tell next — whether directing, editing, cinematography, or any part of the process that lights you up.