Dr.Pepper and The National Championship

The Dr. Pepper Tuition Throw Competition is finished! I am thankful to say I came in 3rd place and won a $7500 scholarship! It's definitely not $100,000, but I will never allow myself to be ungrateful whenever I receive help. 

I placed fourth in fourth in overall voting. Everyone signed up and voted for me were an invaluable help. I wouldn't have made it to the next step without all of you. 

Dr. Pepper contacted me after the voting competition to inform me I received a $2500 scholarship and an all expense paid trip this year's National Championship between Alabama and Notre Dame. Upon arriving, we competed in the tuition throw. I came in 3rd place, and Dr. Pepper decided to double our scholarships as well! 

As a student and filmmaker, I've learned creativity and monetary gain are synonymous in the struggle towards relevance. We yearn for artistic expression, but find ourselves hampered by the need to survive. We laugh about the characterization of the starving artist, neatly categorized under creative expression vs. realistic living, but it bears truth. 

I understand money is a necessity. More importantly, I realize it is an important, yet secondary piece in the expanding path towards my long-term goals as a filmmaker. This is a step, and I'm already searching for the next ladder to climb. 

If you haven't seen my Dr. Pepper video yet, here it is!

Thank You Dr.Pepper

Click to vote here: http://www.drpeppertuition.com/entry/63

I have great news! Recently, I received a $2500 scholarship from Dr.Pepper. They called me a week ago to congratulate me for my Dr. Pepper Tuition Video, I Want To Be A Filmmaker.

I Want To Be A Filmmaker from Xavier Burgin on Vimeo.

Now, I'm in a contest with nine other participants to compete for a $100,000 scholarship. So I need everyone's help who has watched my films or supported me in the past. Please go to this LINK to vote for me. You have to register, but it's easy using a facebook, twitter, or social media account. Once you register just press the "Vote For Me" button and you've helped me!

You can also give me an extra vote by tweeting #TuitionForXavier. You can do both of these once per day. I'm only one step away from competing for another step towards fulfilling my goals. Please support! So vote HERE!

Vote for Xavier at http://www.drpeppertuition.com/entry/63

I Want To Be a Filmmaker

I'm now a little over half-way through my first semester at USC's Cinematic Arts Program. I can't even begin to describe how nerve-wrenching this journey has been. I finished up my first film project at USC  (which I'll post to the website at a later date), and I'm now working on the the second, and final project for the semester. 

Honestly, I've always known working within the industry is perilous. Individuals who consider film to be solely artistically driven or the realm of the idiot savant are sadly mistaken. It is a field with a myriad of technical positions and concerete assignments outside of the role of Director. USC vigorously instills an appreciation for all major positions from pre to post production. 

I'm getting a great education, but it's quite expensive. Tuition alone would render most students incapable of attending, but I've had the blessing of receiving support along with federal loans. I wouldn't want this to be the perpetual state of my existence at USC so I'm constantly scouring for potential scholarship opportunities. I came across the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway Competition through my father. Once I found out the entry asked for a video, I knew I had to participate. Here is my entry, I Want To Be A Filmmaker. 

I Want To Be A Filmmaker from Xavier Burgin on Vimeo.

Let me know what you think of my entry!