Aspiring filmmakers at William & Mary recently had a chance to learn from one of the best: award-winning documentarian Ken Burns.
Burns’ iconic tellings of the American saga have earned him his own place in the history books. He visited William & Mary on Friday to participate in Charter Day, a celebration of William & Mary’s 333rd birthday. To begin his visit, Burns met with a group of around 20 William & Mary students interested in film studies in Swem Library. During the 45-minute Q&A, Burns discussed his craft as a lover of history and storytelling.
The student group included film and media studies majors as well as members of various film clubs on campus. Last year, MovieMaker magazine counted the university among the top 30 film schools in the United States and Canada.
“Having Burns here is a fantastic opportunity for our students,” said Keith Johnson, a teaching professor and director of film and media studies, who helped facilitate the gathering. “It’s one thing for them to hear from their professors in an academic setting and another to hear the perspective of someone like Burns who has such rich experience in the filmmaking industry.”
Burns was invited to campus to help launch William & Mary’s Year of Civic Leadership. The year is rooted in William & Mary’s formative role in the establishment and prosperity of the republic. As the nation’s first university, W&M has a rich tradition of preparing generations of civic leaders, including four U.S. presidents. The Year of Civic Leadership ties into the upcoming celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Along with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Burns gave a speech during the Charter Day Ceremony and received an honorary degree from the university.
Burns’ chronicles of American history are acclaimed for their signature cinematography and masterful storytelling, making him a beloved household name. His most famous works include “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “Jazz” and “The Vietnam War.”
Students took advantage of the up-close opportunity to ask the famous filmmaker questions about his creative process, industry challenges and what it takes to succeed in the field. Burns’ advice for students interested in pursuing a similar path was simple and straightforward. He instructed them to be true to themselves, cultivate resilience and ”everything else will fall into place.“
In the context of telling America’s stories, the group discussed the challenge of gathering the right perspectives and highlighting key figures while sharing the perspectives of those whose stories have traditionally been sidelined.
As Burns said in his Charter Day speech later that evening, “I am interested in the power of an authentic history. And I’m interested in its many varied voices, not just the voices of the old top-down version of our past.”
Students exited the discussion with Burns inspired and eager to apply his advice to their filmmaking.
“I really like the fact that, despite his level of success, he’s taken the time to come talk with young adults and aspiring filmmakers like us,” said one student after the event. “I have a passion for history and film, and it’s reassuring and inspiring to see someone who has combined those loves so successfully.”
Catherine Tyson, Communications Specialist