Creative Minds in Sundance Program
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I have been selected to participate in the 2017 Creative Minds In Sundance Program, a program dedicated to finding the next generation of talented film & TV professionals and ushering them into the entertainment industry.
Ever since I was a kid, I always had a knack for creativity, storytelling, and creating characters, which I devoted my energy and time to instead of school work. It all started in high school when I watched Steven Spielberg's movie "Schindler's List" when a little interest for movies sparked because I loved how it recaptured real events so beautifully and had a powerful music score. Lacking the grades to attend a decent university, I attended a community college in Tallahassee, FL to receive my associate’s degree and planned to do Law. However, after leaving a history class where I watched a scene from Steven Spielberg’s "Amistad" film for the first time, I trashed my law plans and decided to become a film director. I applied to several film schools including USC School of Cinematic Arts and Florida State Film School and did not get in any of them. Disappointed that I didn't get accepted to a film school, before transitioning to a 4-year university, I chose to do a year of community service in AmeriCorps to travel and learn outside of the classroom to gain a different experience. I relentlessly sought filmmaking opportunities working for FEMA and AmeriCorps. My exposure to social issues during AmeriCorps is tied to majoring in Political Science and Anthropology at Syracuse University as I plan to integrate my research and experiences in film projects. My video experience from AmeriCorps helped me get filmmaking opportunities for my school and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Currently, I am devoting a year to doing more community service by volunteering as an AmeriCorps VISTA to create pathways for 1st generation college students to attend college and devoting my time after work hours to teach students how to create videos for an online magazine.
Taking another shot to direct and collaborate with like-minded creatives who aspire to be in the film industry, I applied and got accepted into the Creative Minds Group Sundance program and finally have the chance to take a step closer to my dream by getting accepted into the 2017 Creative Minds Sundance Program where I will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, working and participating in one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. I am raising money to cover my program fee which covers lodging, food, and transportation. I need to pay half of the fee by October 28th and the full fee by November 21st. This is my opportunity to get recognized, gain valuable experience, and get plunged into the world of cinema! This could be my shot! Contribute anything if you can or share this on facebook, twitter, or Instagram to help me raise the funds! I'd be so thankful for the contribution!
Below is a link to my work experience (resume):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshqnelson
Fun facts:
Favorite Movie: Spider-Man 2 (Tobey McGuire)
Favorite Animated Movie: Kung Fu Panda
Favorite Movie Series: Harry Potter
Favorite Movie Quote:
"You and I have unfinished business." - Kill Bill
Favorite Movie Villian: Bellatrix Lestrange
I keep my movie ticket stubs! I've been collecting since 2012.
Do you want to see if I have what it takes to be in the film industry?
Watch this video below to see a compilation of my work:
<iframe media_type="0" media_id="xn-QD1TTdxg" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xn-QD1TTdxg/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
Also, read this story to see my story-telling ability...
The link attached is a short story I wrote called "The Soul of a Civilization" that was selected by Syracuse University Best Non-Fiction Series and was presented at an event to an audience of faculty and students!
https://jqnelson.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/the-soul-of-a-civilization-2/
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this page. If you are a person of faith, please pray that I raise the funds for this trip! The clock is ticking! We only have a few weeks!!!! I would be beyond grateful!!! Help me fulfill my dream!!!

Ever since I was a kid, I always had a knack for creativity, storytelling, and creating characters, which I devoted my energy and time to instead of school work. It all started in high school when I watched Steven Spielberg's movie "Schindler's List" when a little interest for movies sparked because I loved how it recaptured real events so beautifully and had a powerful music score. Lacking the grades to attend a decent university, I attended a community college in Tallahassee, FL to receive my associate’s degree and planned to do Law. However, after leaving a history class where I watched a scene from Steven Spielberg’s "Amistad" film for the first time, I trashed my law plans and decided to become a film director. I applied to several film schools including USC School of Cinematic Arts and Florida State Film School and did not get in any of them. Disappointed that I didn't get accepted to a film school, before transitioning to a 4-year university, I chose to do a year of community service in AmeriCorps to travel and learn outside of the classroom to gain a different experience. I relentlessly sought filmmaking opportunities working for FEMA and AmeriCorps. My exposure to social issues during AmeriCorps is tied to majoring in Political Science and Anthropology at Syracuse University as I plan to integrate my research and experiences in film projects. My video experience from AmeriCorps helped me get filmmaking opportunities for my school and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Currently, I am devoting a year to doing more community service by volunteering as an AmeriCorps VISTA to create pathways for 1st generation college students to attend college and devoting my time after work hours to teach students how to create videos for an online magazine.
Taking another shot to direct and collaborate with like-minded creatives who aspire to be in the film industry, I applied and got accepted into the Creative Minds Group Sundance program and finally have the chance to take a step closer to my dream by getting accepted into the 2017 Creative Minds Sundance Program where I will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, working and participating in one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. I am raising money to cover my program fee which covers lodging, food, and transportation. I need to pay half of the fee by October 28th and the full fee by November 21st. This is my opportunity to get recognized, gain valuable experience, and get plunged into the world of cinema! This could be my shot! Contribute anything if you can or share this on facebook, twitter, or Instagram to help me raise the funds! I'd be so thankful for the contribution!
Below is a link to my work experience (resume):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshqnelson
Fun facts:
Favorite Movie: Spider-Man 2 (Tobey McGuire)
Favorite Animated Movie: Kung Fu Panda
Favorite Movie Series: Harry Potter
Favorite Movie Quote:
"You and I have unfinished business." - Kill Bill
Favorite Movie Villian: Bellatrix Lestrange
I keep my movie ticket stubs! I've been collecting since 2012.
Do you want to see if I have what it takes to be in the film industry?
Watch this video below to see a compilation of my work:
<iframe media_type="0" media_id="xn-QD1TTdxg" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xn-QD1TTdxg/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
Also, read this story to see my story-telling ability...
The link attached is a short story I wrote called "The Soul of a Civilization" that was selected by Syracuse University Best Non-Fiction Series and was presented at an event to an audience of faculty and students!
https://jqnelson.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/the-soul-of-a-civilization-2/
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this page. If you are a person of faith, please pray that I raise the funds for this trip! The clock is ticking! We only have a few weeks!!!! I would be beyond grateful!!! Help me fulfill my dream!!!
Organizer
Joshua Q Nelson
Organizer
Asheville, NC