April's Featured Student: Nolan Croce '19

Written by Regina Ender

In the classroom, on production sets, and through service opportunities, Nolan Croce’s time at APU has enabled him to see the world in technicolor. His interactions with those around him are brighter and bolder, helping him be a better storyteller and filmmaker. The junior cinematic arts production major and honors humanities student has been pushed out of his comfort zone in his time at APU and has become more versatile and flexible in his skillset.

Storytelling has always been an integral part of Croce’s life, so choosing a career in cinematic arts was a natural fit. Discussing, watching, and making movies as his major is a dream come true for him, and he only grows more passionate as time progresses. Though being on set used to intimidate him, he said the challenging and fast-paced setting now makes him excited. He knew he found his calling in film in his Introduction to Directing class as a freshman, which he said changed his entire perspective of the film industry. The course taught him that filmmakers play an essential role in teaching audiences about the Gospel by telling important stories and highlighting themes of redemption.

The young filmmaker has already been recognized for his work. He wrote and directed the short film I Am Nothing, which he entered in the 2014 10 Day Film Challenge, a state and national film competition. The film won the New Jersey State Awards for the best use of music and best screenplay and was nominated for best actress. At the national awards, he was nominated for best screenplay and made the top 10 selection. At APU’s own 2017 Premiere Night, he premiered the film he directed, There’s Something in My Apartment… He was only a sophomore at the time and his film was selected to screen at a festival intended for upper level juniors and seniors. Prior to making this film, he heeded the advice of the teacher’s assistant to cast his film project through Hollywood casting resources. He fondly remembers sitting behind the casting table at Cazt Studios and embraced the surreal feeling of watching actors perform the script he worked so hard to write.

In addition to his work in film, Croce is an active volunteer. Currently, he is a mentor and resident film expert for AMP Studios, an arts-based mentoring program in Highland Park. He has also led two teams for APU’s Mexico Outreach trips, once on a community development team and another on a performing arts team. In Azusa’s community, he also served as a mentor at My Third Place, an APU-affiliated after-school program to help under-resourced youth.

Words of Wisdom: “Before asking people for help, at least try to do the seemingly impossible on your own. You will learn so much more from trial and error, especially when it comes to making a movie, than from simply copying the methods someone older shows to you.”
 

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