by Sarah Trask

Background

Professor Chris Fletcher is an Associate Professor of Video Production within our Media Arts program. He is also an award-winning filmmaker and educator. He earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. There, he directed veteran British TV actors who’ve appeared on shows such as Downton Abbey, Outlander, and Shetland. Since returning to the U.S., he and his wife have started a production company. Their short films have been screened at film festivals across the country. As the filmmaking program manager at State College of Florida, Chris enjoyed teaching and mentoring his film students. He worked with them both in the classroom and on location. He looks forward to working with Crown College students to help develop their ideas into strong screen stories.

Filmmaking as a Ministry

Producing a film is a community process, says Fletcher. There will always be a level of teamwork necessary in the creative procedure. Because of this, it is important for Christian filmmakers to learn how to work well with others. He says this helps them share the love of Jesus Christ. “To me, the ability to do that, to create that intense little community where you get to make something together is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with people,” Fletcher said. Creating films allows you to tell a story and present it from your chosen perspective. “Being able to share your perspective, a story with the world, or with someone else, allows you to bring a Christian worldview into someone’s life who is not used to it.” Professor Fletcher believes that filmmaking is a creative way to invite others into a space that emulates the playing done as a kid. Within that space, strong bonds form between those working on the project. Christian filmmakers have an opportunity to use that space as a ministry where Christ is exalted.

Nurturing Professionalism

Looking to the future, Professor Fletcher is looking forward to building Crown’s Video Production program. He wants to support his students through kindness and care into becoming the best that they can be. Professor Fletcher wants to help grow the program and professionalize his students. He plans on doing this by giving them real-world skills that will prepare them for their futures in filmmaking.

Q&A

Question: What class/classes are you the most passionate about teaching and why?
Answer: “Advanced Video Production because that’s the class where students get to bring all the specializations that they have learned in the program together with the goal of making short films. Also, Screenwriting because it helps students, no matter what field they are going into, to be able to sit down and think about a story visually and how to communicate to someone else before they have any images ready.”

Question: What is your teaching style and how does it inspire academic excellence in your students?
Answer: “I like students to learn by doing. I always tell students that everything you do teaches you something, even the things that do not go the way you expect them to. Those teach you the most. Try to make new and interesting mistakes because you don’t want to be making the same ones.”

Question: What advice would have been helpful when you were a student?
Answer: “Never think that the movie you are making will be your last one. Take risks with them because you can always make another one.”

Question: What is your favorite thing about being a professor at Crown College?
Answer: “The administration is very supportive of the plans that we have for the Media Arts program. I love building things!”