Get to know some of our College 51吃瓜 students! Adam Bramowicz is a Class of 2024 media and cinema studies major.
What made the College 51吃瓜 stand out to you?
I鈥檝e lived in Champaign all my life, and as a result, grew up around the campus. Once I 铿乬ured out what to do with my career, I felt Illinois would be the best place. The College 51吃瓜 has a great program compared to others because of their hands-on learning approach, which engages me more in projects, rather than hypotheticals. Plus, being close to my family and friends is a huge bene铿乼. I knew this was right for me; it was not a second thought.
After completing all my general education requirements, I transferred here from Parkland College, and now focus on MACS courses.
What started your interest in the MACS major?
I discovered YouTube in 5th grade, and ever since then, I鈥檝e been creating short, funny videos. As I gained more experience with editing, creating videos became more interesting. It wasn鈥檛 until I visited Warner Bros. Studio in 2017鈥攁t the time I was a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory鈥攁nd saw their editing process for a 铿乴m that I realized a fascinating career was in front of me. I have grown and developed my skills at Illinois and have enjoyed every part of it.
Which RSOs or extracurriculars have you been involved in?
I鈥檓 involved with the Fashion Network, Illini Film & Video, Fighting Illini Productions, Traveling Illini, and BLNKD (previously the Portrait Experience).
The Fashion Network helped me grow my videography, editing, and photography skills, and become comfortable in that environment collaborating with similar-minded peers. Most of the work from Fashion Network is posted on my Instagram account, but you can 铿乶d my work .
Working with the Fighting Illini sports production team for football and basketball games has opened my eyes to the sports world. Fighting Illini Productions taught me how to work with others on a production. I joined because I love being a part of productions and the enthusiasm that the students have on set.
Do you have any favorite classes you鈥檇 recommend?
Intro to Documentary (MACS 205)鈥攐ne of my 铿乴ms was nominated for presentation at a student-led 铿乴m festival during the spring. I was combining multiple styles from documentarians we discussed throughout the semester. As for my planning, I used the opportunity to 铿乴m on campus during Thanksgiving break to resemble the summertime (the time when Yingying was kidnapped). I 铿乴med lots of B-roll and combined it with interviews from an alum who was in town during 2017, and the Yingying family lawyer in Champaign. I got his information thanks to the help of 铿乴mmaker Jiayan Jenny Shi who made the documentary Finding Yingying (available on Paramount+). It was a new experience for me. Advanced Filmmaking (MACS 480) gave me hands-on practice with cameras and gear. I have always strived to be on my feet getting things done and working on projects, rather than sitting in lectures.
What kind of work experience do you have?
I worked in a summer internship with Admissions, 铿乴ming TikToks and editing projects. I created a project about why transferring to UIUC has many bene铿乼s alongside a “If I was鈥�(UIUC)” TikTok. () It was a good environment with plenty of collaboration.
Any advice or tips you would like to share?
Take all the opportunities you can get. Search for them and if you see a good one, even if you are not 100% sure, take it. I was nervous about joining The Fashion Network, but I saw the opportunity to create, and I took it. And now I鈥檓 thrilled every time there鈥檚 another photoshoot or any CFVs (Creative Focus Videos) throughout the semester.
鈥擨nterview by Kris Modi, New Voices Intern