TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts graduates were involved in the production of several recent movies that earned 2013 Oscar nominations on Jan. 10, including “Lincoln” and “Life of Pi”.
Jonathan King, who received his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from Florida State in 1992, is executive vice president of Production at Participant Media. He is the executive producer for “Lincoln,” one of the films that earned Oscar nominations for 2013. King also co-produced “No,” a Chilean motion picture nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
Matt Ryan (MFA 2011) was a set production assistant for “Lincoln.” Additionally, Jim Ed Wills (MFA 2011); Gef Gove (MFA 2011); Rich Wills (MFA 2011); Jonathan Bennett (MFA 2010); and Tricia Mears (MFA 2011) worked on the production of the film.
Eunice Cheng (MFA 2009) was a rigging grip production assistant and translator for “Life of Pi,” another Oscar-nominated film for 2013.
Michelle Eisenreich, who received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999, was a visual effects producer on “Prometheus,” which was nominated in the Visual Effects category.
Dustin Cawood (MFA 2003) was the sound effects editor for “Lincoln.” He was also the sound designer for the documentary “Chasing Ice,” which was nominated for Best Song.
Jonathan King, who has maintained a close relationship with the College of Motion Picture Arts, is on the Dean's Council of Alumni, a select group of successful alumni who advise the dean and provide yearly feedback on student capstone projects. The council is working with the college to institute a series of bimonthly meetingss in Los Angeles, exclusively for alumni. The meetings will bring in experts to share important industry practices and ideas, thus offering alums an opportunity for continuing education. These events will also allow newer graduates to network informally with alumni who have been in the industry.
FSU's College of Motion Picture Arts is home to one of the largest studio facilities in the country dedicated exclusively to motion picture education.
Florida State has the only motion picture college that funds the production costs for its students’ films. The college’s graduates have been associated with numerous Oscar nominated movies in the past.
