Above: Schildfat with actor Jeff Bridges in Santa Barbara
Below: UCSB film students at work

Reciprocity Focus

Q & A with Par Hampus Schildfat

Q. What did you accomplish as an EAP Reciprocity student at UC Santa Barbara?

As a theoretical film student from Sweden the gates to heaven literally opened for me once I arrived to the United States! I had been studying theoretical film for over three years and I was very eager to get some hands-on experience. Santa Barbara definitely offered this to me.

During my exchange year I managed to participate in strictly practical film-making courses, all from which I could use my theoretical background as a great knowledge base. I did everything from screenwriting to directing, lighting to cinematography. And it was the latter which was the greatest experience.

Every year UCSB produces four short films in what is called "FLMST 106: Crew Production." Students are guided through the movie-making principles but must themselves deal with everything, from getting money to finding actors and crew. I was chosen to be the cinematographer on one of these projects. Although there were no exams, no tests, no homework or other school-related work, I have never in my life worked so hard in a class! For two quarters, all we did was make a film, from sunrise until sunset, every weekend, no exceptions!

At the end of the second quarter there was a big screening in the local movie theatre, friends and family were invited. This was the final test, how would everyone react, would the audience cry, would they laugh, would they like what they saw? For me, all this didn't really matter, because when the lights went down and I turned my head and watched my fellow crewmembers expressions, the anticipation in their eyes, I knew that I was proud of what we hade accomplished together—we made a story come to life on the BIG screen!

Q. Do you have some advice for future Reciprocity students?

Be prepared!

I know people always say this and it is such a cliché, but there's a reason for it, and the reason is that it works out a lot better if you are! Make sure you have arranged accommodations before you leave your home country. Trust me, you'll settle in much easier, and you'll have time to do more fun stuff with all the others who have also been thinking ahead!

Be open-minded, people will be different, they will say and act in a way that you are not used to, but give it time, don't be too quick to make up your mind about a person, he or she might have other qualities that you didn't notice in the beginning. Try to participate in the social events the university provides for you. Although they may seem "geeky," they do work if everybody just relaxes a bit!

And, of course, enjoy! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, make the best of it, don't stay in your room for nine months, see the place, live the place, be the place and then you will come home as an enriched person!