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Nicole celebrating convocation with her family

Nicole Regalado Santivanez听is a 2024 Dalhousie graduate,听receiving a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Cinema and Media Studies, and Creative Writing.

Finding your passion, and finding the Fountain School

I was born in Venezuela and then later moved to Peru. I鈥檝e always wanted to study abroad. I really value education. A friend told me about how amazing Dalhousie was, and Halifax being near a beach. I prayed with my grandmother to Santa Rosa de Lima that I鈥檇 be accepted and get my student visa in time. And I did.

I've always known I wanted to be in art and specifically in film. I did dance and theatre when I was little and really loved the stage. But in high school I discovered I could write. My focus shifted from wanting to be an actress to wanting to be the one creating these different worlds in fiction and film.

Latin America is somewhat traditional. They believe that if you go into a career like engineering, medicine, or architecture, you鈥檒l have a better future. But then my parents read one of my stories, saw my potential and have supported me ever since.

Favourite part of the cinema and media studies program?

I think what I loved the most was analyzing movies, opening and dissecting them.

If you make movies without having film theory as a base, it can be overwhelming. You don鈥檛 know how to communicate ideas that are not in the dialogue.

When you study film history you see a record of other artists and how they achieved what they did. It shows you can play with colors, costumes, and camera movements connecting everything together. While writing our essays we discovered new ways of seeing, new layers and that every choice has a purpose.

Any skills learned outside the classroom?

I was able to secure one of the spots for an apprenticeship credit this semester with AFCOOP (Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative)听. I volunteered for short films being made. I was on actual real sets. It helped me a lot. Watching them set up over the shoulder camera angles, for example, I already knew why they were doing that because I learned it in class. It was amazing.

I did script, supervising, art directing, and assistant director workshops. You get to see so many positions. It鈥檚 a lot of hands-on experience in different areas.

The amount of connections I've made in the film industry are insanely useful. Dal having that partnership with AFCOOP, it's so helpful for getting those on set experiences and practical skills. My professor, Shannon Brownlee, really helped me get into that program.

How has your time at the Fountain School changed you?

I have more confidence. At first, I was like, 鈥淕od, what if you totally screwed up and maybe this is just a hobby? Should I have chosen like another career?鈥� But the more variety of classes took the more skills I acquired. And not just in film. My final semester I took intro to Costume Studies. I鈥檝e always liked fashion and sewing. I really enjoyed it and was good at it.

Being able to take different electives outside of film studies really helps you explore various career paths.

Top three dream jobs to explore next?

I鈥檒l always be a writer, but I also enjoy art direction. You can bring to life the directors and writers鈥� vision and help build their world. Your choices add layers and layers, to reinforce the characters. It makes the work richer, and I love that creative side.

I鈥檇 also enjoy learning more about special effects, creating things that are not there. Being the one who adds the magic.

What does this graduation mean to your family?

I am the first one in my nuclear family to graduate from university. Everyone is so proud of my journey. They know how difficult and challenging it's been emotionally and financially, especially because of COVID. This is an achievement for my whole family. My pilipili漫画 is their pilipili漫画.

What鈥檚 next?

I鈥檓 going to try to get into the film industry here in Nova Scotia. It is a small community, but it is growing. They are looking for new people and I鈥檓 eager to learn any position.

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