Lights Camera Success

Alumnus Nathaniel Turner discovered his love of filmmaking while at PVCC pursuing an associate degree in Information Technology. After graduating in 2012, he transferred to Ringling College of Art and Design where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film. From there, he worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over a decade. Turner returned to PVCC as an adjunct faculty to teach photograph and film for the Spring 2026 semester.

Q. Tell us a little more about your time at PVCC. How did your experiences help shape your career path or reach your goals?

My time at PVCC played a foundational role in shaping both my academic path and my creative career. I initially came to PVCC to pursue an Associate degree in Information Technology, but while I was there I became deeply involved in creative projects, particularly filmmaking. While completing my degree, I also began taking additional courses that would allow me to transfer to a four-year college to study film more seriously. During my time at PVCC, I completed many of my core courses, literature, mathematics, biology, and government, taught by adjunct faculty who were some of the most inspiring educators I’ve ever had.

During my time at PVCC, I screened some of my short films during the college’s free movie nights and collaborated with students in the theater department, many of whom starred in my student films. I also had the opportunity to film in the Black Box Theatre, where we shot a short sequence for one of my student films. Those experiences were incredibly valuable because they allowed me to experiment creatively while collaborating with other PVCC students who were passionate about storytelling and performance.

I also gave a small presentation about filmmaking where I shared trailers from my work and talked with students who were interested in creative careers. Being able to discuss storytelling and the filmmaking process with other aspiring artists was a meaningful experience for me. 

After graduating in 2012, I transferred to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film in 2016. From there, I began working professionally in the entertainment industry.

Looking back, PVCC was where my journey truly began. It gave me the foundation, confidence, and opportunities that eventually led me to a career in film and the entertainment industry. 

Q. What brought you back to PVCC?

Returning to PVCC as an adjunct faculty member felt like a full-circle moment. This is where my academic journey began and where I first started sharing my creative work with others.

After graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design, I pursued an internship in Los Angeles that required academic credit. Although I had already completed my degree, PVCC worked with me to create a course so I could receive the credit needed to accept the position. That opportunity allowed me to move to Los Angeles and begin what ultimately became a decade-long career in the entertainment industry.

Because PVCC played such an important role in helping me take that first step, returning as a faculty member was especially meaningful. After years working professionally in film and entertainment, I felt a strong desire to give back to the type of educational environment that helped launch my career. I even taught in the same classroom where I once studied computer graphics as a student, which was both a humbling and rewarding experience.

Q. What is your favorite thing about PVCC?

One of my favorite things about PVCC is how welcoming and supportive the community is. Students from many different backgrounds and life experiences come here to explore their interests, build confidence, and discover what they want to pursue.

I also really appreciate the quality of instruction that students receive. Many PVCC faculty members bring both strong academic backgrounds and real-world experience into the classroom.

PVCC also emphasizes hands-on learning. Students are encouraged to actively engage with their subjects, experiment creatively, collaborate with classmates, and apply what they learn in practical ways. That kind of interactive learning helps students stay engaged and build skills that translate directly into real-world situations.

For many students, PVCC serves as an important starting point where they can develop confidence, explore new interests and prepare for the next step in their academic or professional journey.

Q. What would you say to a student who is unsure about college or is thinking about PVCC but has not enrolled?

I would encourage them to see PVCC as a place to explore and discover what excites them. Not everyone begins college knowing exactly what they want to do, and that’s completely okay.

PVCC provides an accessible and supportive environment where students can try different subjects, develop new skills, and build confidence in their abilities. It’s also an affordable and smart place to begin an educational journey, whether someone plans to transfer to a four-year university, start a career, or explore different fields before deciding on a path.

For me, PVCC opened doors that I didn’t even know existed at the time. The support I received from faculty and the opportunities I had here helped lead me to a career in film and the entertainment industry.

You never know where your interests might lead, and PVCC is a great place to begin that journey.