Nicholas Cain: Graduate – Digital Filmmaking & Video Production
Meet Nicholas Cain, who is not your typical film student. Nicholas is a graduate of the Digital Filmmaking & Video Production program at F.I.R.S.T. Institute, but unlike many of the other F.I.R.S.T. Institute students, Nicholas did not have an interest in film until later in his adult life. He came to F.I.R.S.T. after his father encouraged him to follow his dreams.
From Healthcare to Happiness
Mr. Nicholas Cain admits that he was brought to the film business by a fluke. He didn’t have an interest in film from an early age, instead he worked in a hospital for his career.
Nicholas remembers watching a favorite movie of his, Shawshank Redemption, and getting a call from his father. His father encouraged him to follow his passion of movies and go from in front of the television to behind the camera.
Before he knew it, Nicholas left everything he knew about healthcare behind and was moving to Florida to attend F.I.R.S.T. Institute.
F.I.R.S.T. Institute Was the Right Choice
Nicholas took the time to research plenty of film schools, but a lot of things attracted him to F.I.R.S.T. Institute. Nicholas was very pleased with the affordable tuition that F.I.R.S.T. offers.
He also liked the fact that it was a private school with differences than a traditional school. The fact that he could graduate in less than a year as opposed to four or more years in traditional schools was a big selling point for Nicholas.
He liked the fact that the education was to-the-point and hands-on, so he could get the experience he needed to start his career.
Nicholas Credits the Music Video Project at F.I.R.S.T. Institute
Nicholas mentions that his favorite project during his time at F.I.R.S.T. was the music video project. He liked the fact that he could have creative freedom during the project and not have to work off of someone else’s directions.
The project made Nicholas realize that he in fact enjoyed editing. He admits to not being the best at it, but that it is an important part of the process. Nicholas says he edits film a large portion of his time to perfect the pieces that he creates. He even enjoys it now!
F.I.R.S.T. Institute Sets You Up for Success
Now that Nicholas has graduated, he owns his own production company, Red Duck Productions. Since the company’s beginning, Red Duck Productions has filmed three music videos, a space exploration demo, and a beauty pageant.
Currently, Nicholas’ company is working on a fourth music video and a YouTube channel. In his next five years, Nicholas plans to take his father’s book and create a blockbuster film.
Advice from a F.I.R.S.T. Institute Film & Video Graduate
The advice that Nicholas wants to give to people getting into the film business is to learn. Buckle down and learn everything that you can. Explore all the positions: gaffing, grip, sound mixing, etc. You can’t master the field, you have to keep practicing.
