With an early interest in film, senior Eric Brownrout started making amateur videos in elementary school using his family’s camcorder. But his serious interest developed in high school, where a multitude of theater and broadcast assignments gave him a chance to experience the magic that could be created from behind a camera lens firsthand.

“CHS has played an enormous role in [my] video producing experience,” said Brownrout. “Through the broadcast program and annual CHS Film Festival, [the school] has provided me with great resources to pursue film.”

Over this past summer, Brownrout attended California State Summer School for the Arts and was encouraged to reach outside his film making comfort zone. Some of his more experimental films such as Mole, a disturbing piece that allows the viewer to visualize Brownrout’s personal pain, stemmed from a single emotion.

“I [felt like] every video needed to have a neatly packaged beginning, middle and end. [The videos I did at CSSSA] were a way for me to branch out and try something new and experimental,” said Brownrout.

While there, Brownrout had the opportunity to work with rare materials and develop as a more abstract filmmaker, which allowed him to create a series of beautiful, thought-provoking videos.

“I can rarely predict how a video will turn out before it’s done,” said Brownrout. “But, I think that’s the beauty of it. The projects are always developing and taking on different forms.”

Currently, Brownrout has set aside his Super 8mm camera and instead utilized the vast digital resources the broadcast program has to offer in order to create the beloved monthly KYOTV episodes.

His talent for film making was recognized at this year’s Harvard Westlake Film Festival, where he won best overall film for Metro and best editing for his film Brother. With this reward, Brownrout continues to captivate his audience with sequences that portray his unique style as an independent filmmaker.