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As he was midway through his sophomore year at William Paterson, media production and history student Anthony Finnen ‘22 decided to select communication as his major, due to his love for filmmaking and past experiences producing comedy skits with his friends.
“Throughout high school, all my friends loved movies and constantly talked about them. The videos were amateurish, but I liked working with my friends and it was cool to see something I worked on being posted online,” says Finnen.
As part of his participation in the performing and literary arts track of the Honors College, Finnen will create a short film for his thesis. Drawing inspiration from adventure movies such as National Treasure and the Indiana Jones series, Finnen’s film, intended to be a comedy, will see Student Film Association club members come together to find a lost treasure, hiding it from the other clubs.
Finnen credits Barbara Andrew, Honors College dean; Chriss Williams, associate professor, communication; and alumnus Rolando Nieves ‘12, documentary filmmaker for Dramatic Health, for mentoring him during his time as a student.
“Dean Andrew was an excellent academic advisor during my first two years. Rolando, who I met through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, provided valuable career advice, and Professor Williams is a knowledgeable and supportive teacher of filmmaking and screenwriting,” says Finnen.
The aspiring young filmmaker has been involved in a handful of student film projects as a student in the communication department, currently serving as assistant director of Hand After Hand, a film by WP student Hunter Long ‘23, which will also serve as Long’s Honors thesis.
Finnen has also played a role in several clubs on campus as a member of the TV Club and as treasurer for the Student Film Association. He also was involved in numerous civic engagement activities, including delivering donated coats to Passaic Family Head Start.
After graduating, Finnen plans to work in the film industry but is keeping an open mind about his trajectory, not wanting to limit himself to a specific area of work.
“I have intentionally tried to learn as many skills in the film industry as possible so that I will have the most career options. I like making movies and I know that if people like my work, I will be able to have a job,” says Finnen.
