Get to know some of our College of Media students! Nathan Murphy is a Class of 2026 media and cinema studies major.
What first interested you in the media and cinema studies (MACS) major?
Ever since I was young, I’ve loved watching movies, but as I got older, I became more interested in how they were made—the behind-the-scenes work, the “how did they actually do that?” side of things. MACS lets me explore this question by gaining hands-on experience with creating short films. I also really enjoy helping bring others’ ideas to the screen. I have my own visions but being a part of a team and helping someone else realize theirs is incredibly rewarding.
What makes the MACS program at the University of Illinois College of Media stand out?
A big factor in choosing Illinois was the location. I am from the area, so staying close to home really mattered to me. What really made the MACS program stand out to me was when I came to visit for Admitted Student Day and first met senior lecturer Victor Font. He led a workshop in Gregory Hall called the 2001: A Space Odyssey Green Screen Workshop. He had a student greenscreen a scene from the film and walked us through how to shoot and edit it. It was surprisingly informative because it showed just how much access to technology students actually have. That workshop is what ultimately sealed the deal for me as it showed me what MACS looks like in practice and made the program feel like the right fit.
What had also drawn me to MACS was the size and feel of the College of Media. MACS is smaller compared to other programs, which often have huge lectures. College of Media professors and lecturers actually know your names, talk to you regularly, and check in on your projects. That kind of relationship-building is important to me.
What has been your favorite MACS class?
On the production side, my favorite class has been MACS 480: Advanced Filmmaking. It was one of the first times I got to work on a truly professional short film with a serious crew. We shot at an Airbnb over several days. It was intense, long hours, and a lot of work, but also incredibly energizing. I made friends and connections I still have today. By the end, I was exhausted, but it felt like I had really earned that sleep. Seeing the finished project was genuinely fulfilling.
I also loved MACS 282: A World of Death and Blood: The Horror Movie with senior lecturer Jonathan Knipp. He’s passionate, engaging, and really committed to helping students understand film beyond just “liking” or “disliking” it. Even when I didn’t like a particular movie, the way he breaks down the technical aspects, themes, and the real-world influences made me appreciate what the filmmakers were doing. His screening helped me see horror, and film in general, in a much deeper way.
What media-related RSOs are you involved in?
I’m currently the vice president of Illinois Film and Video (IFV). I’ve been involved with IFV for four years, but I became active in my junior year, and then joined the executive board that spring. IFV has been an amazing way to meet people who are passionate about film, regardless of their major. You get [to meet students from] a broader campus community including other College of Media students, business students, and more, rather than just staying within the same MACS circle.
We host film challenges in which we encourage members to make short films and screen their own work for the group. We also hold pitch days, where people share ideas before they even have a script, which helps generate interest and collaboration early on. On top of that, we bring in guest speakers to create great networking opportunities locally and beyond. Overall, IFV has been a huge part of my experience here. Between projects, meetings, and just hanging out with members, it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Since starting college, how have your career goals developed, and what experiences pushed you in that direction?
When I first started college, I imagined myself becoming the next Oscar-winning director and creating the greatest film of all time entirely on my own. But once I got deeper into the MACS program, I quickly realized filmmaking is never a solo process—you need a crew, and collaboration is really what brings a vision to life.
Through my production classes, I was able to try a lot of different roles including sound, cinematography, and eventually production. As I moved into higher-level courses, I was given more responsibility on the producing side, and that experience really shaped the direction I’m pursuing now. I found that producing was the role where I felt the most fulfilled. Working with different crews, taking on leadership roles in advanced classes, and even coming back to help senior lecturer Victor Font with production courses all pushed me toward seeing myself not just as a filmmaker, but as someone who thrives in a collaborative environment. Those experiences helped shift [my perspective] from wanting to be a director to becoming a producer and help bring an entire team’s vision to life.
—Interview by Lia Roa-Hernandez, New Voices Intern
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