Two years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in mock interviews through the CTEC program. Before the interviews began, I made one simple request:
“I’d like to meet the top two students in the film program.”
John was one of them.
Looking back, what I remember most isn’t his portfolio or even his technical ability. It was his character.
Talent opens doors, but character determines what happens once you’re inside.
From the moment John joined Charizma as an intern straight out of high school, he demonstrated something that’s difficult to teach. He showed initiative. He accepted responsibility. He welcomed feedback. He communicated when he needed direction instead of pretending to know the answers. He consistently chose growth over comfort.
Some students simply complete assignments. John pursued excellence.
Over the past two years, we’ve watched him evolve—not only as a filmmaker but as a young man.
One of my favorite transformations has been watching his confidence grow. Early on, John often stayed in the background. Today, he walks onto productions with confidence, engages with clients, collaborates with the team, and owns his role. That kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s earned through consistency, humility, and the willingness to keep showing up.
As I shared with him during his farewell, the young man leaving Charizma is not the same one who first walked through our doors.
Now, John begins an exciting new chapter as he heads to Los Angeles to study film at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), pursuing his dream of cinematography.
And while we’re incredibly sad to see him go, we’re even more excited about where he’s headed.
John, you earned this opportunity.
Every challenge you accepted, every lesson you embraced, every project you completed, and every ounce of effort you invested brought you to this moment.
Thank you for giving your best to Charizma. Thank you for being an example of what teachability, integrity, and hard work look like.
The CSUN film program is gaining an exceptional student, and the film industry is gaining an even better person.
This isn’t goodbye.
It’s simply the beginning of the next chapter.
We’ll be cheering you on, celebrating your victories, and hopefully seeing you on set again very soon.
Congratulations, John.
Your future is incredibly bright.
