Garret Ballinger

BFA Film and Media Arts

FA20 | SP21

The University of Tampa has brought me a plethora of experience in the BFA program. Courses like Sound in Media, Screenwriting I, and Documentary Production were foundational in finding my style as a filmmaker. Professors Greg Perkins and Paul Hillier were massive voices of inspiration, going above and beyond to make sure I was able to go the extra step I wanted in my projects. They saw my passion and encouraged it. Aaron Walker and Warren Cockerham always complimented my efforts when deserved, yet never hesitated to share their perspective. If I made a mistake they would not delay to critique, but always followed through with a pragmatic solution for the issue or an insightful look on the situation. They were a pivotal part of finding a position for me as a camera operator under Professor Christopher Boulton’s live WEDU broadcast of Let Heaven and Nature Sing, the University of Tampa’s winter concert. 

I wasn’t always sure what I wanted to do, but it was suggested that I pursue a degree in film. I will never forget my high school teacher’s advise, “You’re overwhelmingly competent, and if you keep being that, you’ll go far”. These words have pushed me to know a little about a lot. Being detail-oriented has given me a keen eye for details and allows me to build an extremely vivid picture of the world I am creating on screen. As a mechanical person, I enjoy figuring out how things work, tinkering, modifying, and building. These skills have enabled me to gain a confidence that will help me address any issues that arise. To provide a somewhat graphic example, unclogging the only toilet available for a shooting day undoubtedly saved not only the rest of the shoot-day but also a hefty plumber bill on the film’s budget. As Prof. Walker can attest, I am a geek. If I find something that interests me I will pursue every piece of available knowledge on the topic down to the last available resource. This wealth of extremely specific information allows me to contribute intelligently in a broad range of conversations on very technical subjects. 

The second half of the saying “jack of all trades” is “master of none”. While it can be appreciated that I have the ability to move from role to role on set fluidly, I feel it has limited my ability to become truly skilled at a particular aspect of the industry. I attribute this to a broad interest in the industry, as well as, my own inability to make long-standing decisions. I hate choices. Most often, I realize my error in decisions after the opportunity to back out has passed. As one who strives for a concrete standing, it is infuriating to not always be moving forward. My time at UT was occasionally frustrating. I entered with a junior status which started my course selection with upper-level advanced curriculum. My courses selections were forced based on availability and not a guided sequence. Since my transfer credits fulfilled a vast majority of graduation requirements, I was able to stay on track for graduation; however, I now endeavor in personal research and inquiry to fill the gaps in my abilities. Even though I will enter a post-college world with more education and more degrees than my peers, I can’t help but feel that they have a better working knowledge of their niche than I.

As graduation draws closer and closer, I find myself struggling to decide what’s next for me. I face a cross roads in my life. I flutter between a long-standing call towards law-enforcement and a new found attraction to building props and working with weapons on-set. I entered the BFA in Film and Media Arts program as a back up plan. I struggle to find comfort in a job that depends on a near constant search for the next paycheck. I come from a law enforcement family, federal and local, and a strong military background. Since I was young, I found the salaried position in the government offering benefits and a sizable retirement plan to be a practical decision with a safe outlook for a successful future. However, being immersed into the world of filmmaking with the ability to explore aspects that truly captured my imagination while on set has motivated me to look deeper into what a career in film can look like. Either way, my time at The University of Tampa has prepared me for both avenues: the BFA program doing the lion’s share and a minor in Criminal Investigation supplementing a lifetime of exposure to law enforcement. Both provide for a stellar resume and a wealth of practical experience that I feel will elevate me to a level above other candidates for the positions I apply for.