Sean Oulashin

Abbott and Fenner Scholarship

Being able to adequately pay for college can sometimes be daunting and difficult process.
The importance of college goes beyond having to fend for one’s self; it gives the necessary
requirements of an education and degree, which go miles towards getting a high-paying job, and
keeping one happy. Without college, the potential to reach one’s goals becomes greatly diminished.
I’ve always been attracted to moving imagery. I’ve been practicing the art of film for the last
six years at the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy in Beaverton. I love making people
laugh with films or creating a message through metaphors and motifs. I’ve been involved with
YouTube for over five years now, spreading my films to the world via the Internet and I plan to
continue doing that.
One of my primary education goals is to learn as much as I can about filmmaking and specifically
cinematography. The work I’m doing right now in school is very hands on and I hope to keep it that
way.
My fascination with prestidigitation and close-up magics began at the age of seven when my
dad taught me a simple card trick. Ever since then, I’ve studied and practiced every day, learning
more and more about the art of magic. In 2011, I started a YouTube channel specifically for my
magic and have passed the 10,000 subscriber level. I try to integrate my experience with film into
my videos to make them stand apart from all the others. Filmmaking is considered “the invisible
art” because the audience is never aware of every little detail that goes into a scene and brings it to
life. Magic, in a similar way, is composed of many different aspects of sleight of hand and
misdirection that all come together to fool the onlooker. I would love to incorporate magic with
filmmaking as a future career.
In addition to that, another long-term goal I’ve always held for myself is to not get caught up
in a career strictly for the money. I’d rather wake up everyday feeling energetic and enthusiastic to
go to work than to have to dread going to my job. Once a career is found that one can actually enjoy
doing, it no longer becomes a job, it becomes a passion. Right now, filmmaking is my passion. My
dream would be to be able to go to work, pick up a camera, and tell a story that anyone can relate
to. Stories are what bring out culture together, and every day that movement is being pushed
forward. I’d like to be a part of that movement.
Having already been accepted into Portland State University, I am excited to get my hands
dirty in their all-inclusive film department. Portland is becoming a mecca for film shoots, which
means the film program at Portland State sends students to sets to intern and immerse themselves
in their art. If I’m not able to pay for college, I will have to spend my time after cleaning up and
paying back what I owe rather than chasing my dreams that I’ve had ever since I was a kid. Any
money put towards my education and ultimately my dream of becoming a filmmaker will not be put
to waste.
I know that one day, my name will appear in the credits, scrolling past at the end of a major
motion picture!