Student Spotlight – 2015 – January- Benjamin Rogers

Posted on January 1, 2015 by admin

Benjamin Rogers 

Freelance Videographer – Graphic Designer – Social Media Manager

SoFAD Student Spotlight

Benjamin’s Social Media:

​

The Questions:

What area are you specializing in within Visual Communications? My focus is on Film and Video Production.

What inspired you to pursue a career in Visual Communications? I have always enjoyed things revolving around digital media. I started producing short films in my younger years, eight years old I believe? This developed into a passion for film and video production. I also began doing basic design work for various clients during that time, so Visual Communications was a natural fit for me.

When will you graduate? What do you plan to do after graduation?  I hope to graduate within the next year and a half. What do I plan to do afterwards? I currently work at WNIT Public Television in South Bend. I have also become involved in many different political campaigns in numerous capacities. I hope to continue what I have been doing, and who knows where else I will go!

What is/was your favorite class and why?  That’s a tough one! I learned a lot in the Typography class. It has really helped me with many of my projects. My favorite however is probably the first Production Editing class. The projects were fun to complete, and my final public service announcement video was a highlight.

What high school did you attend and if appropriate what kinds of classes prepared you for success in Vis Com? I was homeschooled which allowed me to put a particular focus on many of my interests and gave me a solid foundation in many aspects of government in particular. I also took a production class at the Elkhart Area Career Center. The class helped me get comfortable with different pieces of software and I also earned some college credit there as well. (Which is always nice!)

Who is your favorite artist and why? It really is hard to pick just one, especially with so many different facets of art. I really enjoy music and if I had to pick, “Simon & Garfunkel” and the Vaughan brothers would definitely be near the top. Paul Simon’s songwriting ability coupled with Garfunkel’s voice perfected the folk rock era, and both Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan are incredible guitarists. Photographer Ryan Hodges has a fantastic style, one which I truly enjoy. As I am focusing some on film production, it would only be fitting to include someone from that field as well. Actor Timothy Dalton has an incredible ability to command the screen. His work ranges from the dramatic to the light hearted comedy and always is a highlight of the film or television show he appears in.

What is your favorite advertisement and why? In 2008 Ron Paul ran for president for the 2nd time. Grassroots supporters put together a computer generated ad titled “The High Tide.” The striking images coupled with the speech and effective audio leaves an incredibly dramatic effect. To my knowledge, it is the only political ad ever cut in this style. It received limited airplay, but definitely turned heads during his underfunded presidential bid. Recut 2012 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhyaiOZhpSg

What is your favorite Adobe Application and how is it used? Photoshop. How is it used? For everything. In seriousness though, Photoshop is an incredibly useful tool that has more uses then you can really count. It has been a vital part of my design “toolbox.”

Do you have any advice for your fellow designers/artists? Life Quote? Design skills take time to perfect. Even those with the most natural talent work hard to learn new things and improve their work. Compare your work to others and see which areas you can improve upon. “Never give up, never surrender!”

Is there anything else you wish to share? James Bond is better than Jason Bourne. That’s pretty much it.