Jesse Boels was 15 years old when he realized that making film was what he wanted to do.
It started out as mimicking interviews at his elementary school, to making goofy films with his best friends in the woods, to changing countries and raising over a million dollars for his beloved film school.
Needless to say, this 21 year-old film production major has built a steady foundation under him.
Boels, originally from the small town Vlagtwedde in Northern Holland, only fantasized of living the California dream and making movies. About two years ago, his excitement and love for adventure brought him to City College, and he hit the ground running.
“I love to create something from nothing, basically,” said Boels. “To come up with an idea and process it, it’s [making] something beautiful out of white paper.”
The second-year film student has built his name with the recent music video, “Show Us Your Love,” which raised over a million dollars for the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and garnered over 3,700 views on YouTube.
He also participated in the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10-10-10 competition. In the competition, 10 screenwriters make a 10-minute script for 10 directors. After being paired, the group films and edits their project in 10 days. The group presents their film to viewers to conclude the festival.
The short film “Killer Raise” directed by film student Johan Bodell, in which Boels was the assistant director, was chosen as one of the finalists.
“Jesse knew when to use each [cinematic] tool, and perhaps more important, when not to,” said Dr. Doug Hersh, dean of the fine arts department and co-worker of Boels. “He showed skills on the set as well as judgment, patience and tenacity.”
Before he submerged himself into the film world, Boels was windsurfing, playing soccer, and dabbling in the graphic design industry.
At age 16, Boels moved away from his hometown and started creating websites, posters and fliers for his first company, Weboels.
“Even before meeting Jesse, I was attracted by the quality of his graphic design,” said Hersh. “It was immediately apparent to me that [he] posses a highly sophisticated sense of balance, harmony and unity – the principles upon which good design rests.”
When asked what his biggest motivator is in his work, Boels, answered without hesitation, “adventure and deadlines.”
“When I wanted to move to Santa Barbara, I got on a plane [with just] my suitcase and clothes,” said Boels, laughing at the thought. “I stayed in a hostel for 10 days before I found a place to live.
Boels is currently working on some personal projects, among them, is one that is particularly interesting to his new American audience.
“I’m doing a documentary that reflects my own life when I moved here,” Boels said. “Basically, what I have encountered and my experiences [in America.]”
Today, Boels is collaborating on projects with other film students, he’s investigating the art of directing, the precision of assistant directing, the creativity behind visual effects, and building a name for himself that is likely to follow after his graduation in the coming fall semester.
