[ We invited Bethany graduates in Communication and Media Arts to report what they were up to, and respond to some questions about how they have used what they learned at Bethany and since. Please feel free to greet, ask questions, and comment. ]
When did you graduate from Bethany, what was your major, and in what, if anything, did you specialize while in school?
I graduated from Bethany in the spring of 2024. I finished with a media arts major and a studio art minor. My focus has always been filmmaking, specifically film directing. I love it, it’s my passion, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else with my talents.
What are you doing now with media/technology?
Currently I work with nonprofits, churches, artists, and more as a freelance filmmaker. I create advertising packages for people, focusing on the story and documentation of the work they do. Additionally, I’m in the final stages of editing a documentary about an athlete from Minnesota State University. My web location is Pasbrig Productions.
Do you have any goals or aspirations beyond what you are doing now?
I’ve wrestled with the concept of the future and “what I want to be when I grow up.” My priorities have always lied outside of occupation. I want to be a creator, I want to be a learner, and I want to be around good Christian influences. It’s hard to translate goals like that into an occupational desire. With that said, I’ve always drifted toward the idea of being an educator. I would love to educate students on the different aspects of filmmaking, and I think in the future I will strive for a master’s degree to make that goal happen.
Have you found any opportunities to use your skills and experience for Gospel outreach?
In my work I’ve done multiple projects with Christian organizations, and spreading the message of God’s word comes naturally in those circumstances. Additionally, in my free time I make feature films, and my co-writer and I have made the decision to apply Christian allegorical themes and concepts to the work we create in that realm.
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Discussion
I can sympathize with your aspirations to "be a learner" and "be around good Christian influences," and "be a creator." While teaching Art History, I've romanced the idea of going back to school for a PhD in Art History - just for the sake of being able to put myself in an environment supportive of that deep human aspiration to "know more." So I hope and pray that YOU will be able to find opportunity to keep learning and growing. :D As you're on that journey, I'm glad that you'll still be weaving into your work Christian allegory. I personally delight in beautiful things that are nuanced and complex that don't have to be a direct "illustration of a Bible Story." (I mean, LOTR, right???) ;)
If you could go back in time to when you first started out at Bethany, what advice would you give yourself? What have you learned over the years making films that you think your past self should know?
I think I would encourage myself to do the same thing that I will continue to encourage myself to do: start. Just start. This doesn't just apply to filmmaking, or even just to something artistic. Planning is good, overplanning is not. You get in your head with what is and isn't possible, and you start to whittle down your creativity. Additionally, all the time used to overthink could've been put to use making something, doing something, helping someone, whatever it may be.
-Brennan Kirchner
I took a look at your website and I'm blown away by how good your work is. I also love how you put how you want to be "a learner" and that you want to "be around good Christian influences." I saw that you mentioned that you work with nonprofits and churches, I just wanted to know how you found them, or maybe why you wanted to help them.