Graduation Dream
Fundraising campaign by
C.J. Sarmiento
-
US$0.00raised of $5,001.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
My name is C.J. Sarmiento and I am a storyteller.
Four years ago, while in my sophomore year as a film student at Biola University, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: I dropped out of school because I could no longer afford the high cost of tuition. I opted instead to focus on working full time while attending a great community college (Long Beach City College). There, I learned the beauty of teamwork and how to work well with a film and audio crew but sadly the courses I would take there for the next 2 years would never transfer to any other school. Disheartened and no longer eligible for financial aid, I jumped from employment to employment working plenty of odd jobs but never truly "qualifying" for stable employment due to lack of a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, a local church offered me a volunteer position working as a Creative Director creating short films along with planning all things creative. It was there that I was encouraged to dust off and rekindle my college dreams. I had never felt more determined and excited to finally complete my education. Unfortunately, I was not granted much financial aid this time around nor did I qualify for any independent student loans. So, after quite some struggle inside of me, I've decided to ask my fellow friends, family, and internet folks for some desperately needed help.
I know there is no good reason for perfect strangers to care about helping a random student finish college, but what I can say is that not many people are blessed with the gift of creativity, and even fewer still use their gift to positively influence their communities. As emotional beings, we watch films because they remind us of the good we are all capable of. Just as Peter Parker, Frodo Baggins, and countless other heroes used their gifts or burdens for great things, I too would like to use my talent to do amazingly positive things. I can't explain why I geek out about visual composition or telling heart-wrenching stories or get overly excited about the use of color, but I do know that I want to spend my career speaking life into people. There are so many dark and negative things in our world but if I can in some way bring a smile to someone's face or peace to someone's heart with this gift, then that is where I need to be.
My name is C.J. Sarmiento and I need your help to change the world.
QUICK FACTS
Who: Student C.J. Sarmiento (only 3 semesters left)
What: $5,000 to Graduate from University with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Arts
When: Fall 2012 (funds are due August 15)
Where: Biola University in La Mirada, CA.
Why: Because you are awesome!
How: If 500 amazing people gave only $10 that would cover the remainding cost of tuition for this semester.
If you would like to donate more, that would be fantasticaly amazing!
Whatch my videos at www.youtube.com/mspictureshow
Rewards
Grip: Never tiring of your indispensable heavy-lifting duties, you shall receive a signed appreciation note sent via e-mail full of thankfulness for your hard work.
Film Loader: You wouldn't fight a war without ammo, and we sure wouldn't make a movie without the film loader! You shall be awarded a signed appreciation card sent to you by mail with a heart full of gratitude and appreciation.
Production Assistant: Very busy with assisting with set operations, you sir (or mad'am) shall receive all previous rewards plus a full promotional flyer design for a personal or band/artist event.
Unit Manager: Holding down the fort and the crew in your unit, you will be awarded all previous rewards plus a complete photo shoot for individual or band/artist.
Production Manager: Supervisor of all things awesome, you will receive all previous rewards plus one four-hour recording session for band/artist plus post production services for one track.
Producer: You sir attend to very important matters on and off the set. Apart from all previous rewards, you will receive a 2-day music video shoot for band/artist promotion (SoCal residents only).
Executive Producer: The man (or woman) of the hour, the person that makes things run. Along with all previous rewards, you will receive an invitation to the premiere of my first directorial debut (SoCal residents only).
Organizer
- C.J. Sarmiento
- La Mirada, US
No updates for this campaign just yet
