b'ALUMNIFEATUREClimbing the Film Industry LadderBy Caroline Brown 10Speaking as an underclassman, Alex BeaverBeaver enrolled in UNC-Wilmington fall of 08 was a face to know on campus. He2008 specifically wanting to major in Film. was witty, fun, involved (2008 senior classDuring his time in Wilmington, the state president), and creative. (He was the artistof NC turned into a hotbed for filming, of the 2008 yearbook cover, for example).so he was in the right spot. This brings me to his first strategic chance in spring of his In his junior and senior year, he wassenior year. He did not get the internship he actively involved in Video Production classwanted. The internship he did get left a lot and AP Studio Art, which introduced theof free time in his schedule, so he visited the then 17-year-old to the work he wantedoffice of the original internship he sought. to pursuedirecting and producingAfter a 30 minute interview, he walked film. Taking AP Art led me to Videoout with a part-time job instead of an Production for sure. It was throughinternship. After graduating a few months high school Video Production projectslater, that part-time job turned into full-I am who I am todaythat I realized film and video essentiallytime. Some would say that is luck, but he combined the mediums that reallybrought that opportunity about by putting because of the cultureinterested memusic, soundscape,himself out there. Take note. GDS instilled in mypicture, photography, writing. Its everything, Beaver said. He fell in love. The film equipment rental house he worked class and me, as wellout of was in the midst of supplying the After interviewing him and hearing aboutmajority of lighting & grip equipment as allowing ushis progression in the film industry, it isand all 10 sound stages for the filming of young students sosafe to say there were a few specific strategicIron Man 3. Beaver specifically worked in chances he took that helped get his footthe lighting and grip rental warehouse on many freedoms. in the door. That takes a healthy amountthe EUE/Screen Gems backlot. We were of humble confidence that he may denyslammed preparing their newest equipment having, but its there.orders and repairing broken lights, stands, etc, he said. Alex working on The Outsider episode 3 or 4 ADing a shootout scene62 | Summer 2020'