Junior Joshua Chumbley studies to be a young filmaker

They said he would never make it. They said he wasn’t good enough. They said his dreams were unreachable. He said he will prove them wrong. He is Joshua Chumbley.

Living the life of a junior makes film making difficult, but Chumbley proves it possible. He shares his films with the world on vimeo.com which is for postings of short films and elaborate productions.

“I’ve only had a Vimeo account for two months,” Chumbley said. “It’s been the most artistic two months of my life.”

He is cunning and creative with, as some people say, the most intricate ideas known amongst the minds of this school and beyond its walls. He bases his art off of the coloring book theory which he hopes to spread across the world through his productions.

“The coloring book theory is simply this. A good artist paints an elaborate landscape, detailing every blade of grass and leaf. A perfect artist creates a coloring book and lets you fill in the rest,” Chumbley said.

Chumbley can’t do this alone of course. He has plenty of help from both inspiration and staff. His productions need talent and equipment handlers which would be difficult to perform as one person.

“My biggest influences in film come from David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin and Andrea Farnham,” Chumbley said. “The films ‘Entr’ acte’ by Reně Clair as well as ‘Fight Club’ by David Fincher were inspirational just as the people who directed them have been.”

 His first major production was titled “Breaking the speed of life”, which was filmed in downtown Dallas. He then filmed “Creek” in his backyard soon after.

“Breaking the speed of life was only the beginning. It was mainly for school, but spurred a cycle of new ideas. I was taking test shots and the idea to shoot Creek just happened,” Chumbley said.

Chumbley edits his own films and spends as much time needed to complete them. His film edits vary on the complexities and length of the film.

“I spend about a week editing my short films and about six weeks editing my abstract short films,” Chumbley said. “I use Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Sound Booth and After Effects to edit my films.”

The students and teachers enjoy his films and view them from time to time. Chumbley has impacted film in a new way at a young age.

“His films are more than just thinking outside the box. He creates a new box entirely with almost no limitations,” junior Kaitlyn Johnson said. “Working with him on 84 days has been eye opening and one of the most artistic experiences of my life.”

This advanced film maker produces these abstract creations unlike any other. He enjoys improvising and making up everything on the spot.

“I think improvising my films is the best way to take the filters out between the mind and the art. It gives a sense that the film is real and fictional in a balancing act of proportion,” Joshua Chumbley said. “I want to give myself the role of changing film and create a domino effect which will be a philosophy in itself as a whole.”