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Winston Mattwandel

3,065

Bold Points

3x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

Bio

I’m an aspiring cinematographer with ADHD currently pursuing a degree in Film at California State University - Northridge (CSUN). I have worked for several years now as an editor and videographer for various Youtube channels, companies, and nonprofits, and it is my goal eventually be a part of feature film productions.

Education

California State University-Northridge

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
  • GPA:
    3.6

Scotts Valley High School

High School
2018 - 2022
  • GPA:
    3.4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Motion Pictures and Film

    • Dream career goals:

      Cinematographer / Director of Photography

    • Video Editor

      ExpoHome
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Social Media Content Creator

      Balloon Artisan
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Video Editor

      Journey More
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Freelance Editor

      Fiverr
      2021 – Present3 years

    Sports

    Swimming

    Intramural
    2013 – 20174 years

    Arts

    • The Muralist's Beautiful Pain

      Visual Arts
      2022 – 2024
    • American Association of Sleep Medicine PSA Contest

      Cinematography
      Rough Day: A PSA About Sleep and Why You Need More of It
      2020 – 2020
    • Toyota TeenDrive365 PSA Contest

      Cinematography
      TeenDrive365 PSA: Distractions Come From Everywhere
      2019 – 2019
    • Personal Project

      Cinematography
      Coronavirus Lockdown Docuseries Project
      2020 – Present
    • Personal Project

      Cinematography
      BICULTURED: A documentary about family cultural dynamics
      2021 – 2021

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Scotts Valley Unified School District — Camera Operator, Director, Editor, Producer
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Scotts Valley High School — Camera Operator, Director, Editor, Sound Mixing
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Twin Lakes Church — Technical Director, Camera Operator, Production Assistant
      2019 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Scotts Valley High School Haunted House Fundraiser — Room Head, Actor, Prop Design, Set Design, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Construction, Conflict Manager
      2019 – 2023

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Bold Talent Scholarship
    From a young age, I was enchanted by cameras. My parents would often wake up early in the morning to find me in the middle of our family room making pretend short films and tv shows on our little point-and-shoot camera. Whether the star of the show was me, my cat, or Lego figures, it really didn't matter as long as I was creating something. One thing is for certain: I am a filmmaker. Of all the waxing and waning interests of my childhood years, the one that has stuck with me is that childlike drive to tell a story, to entertain, and to simply create. I received my first "real" camera as a Christmas present in 8th grade, and I was thrilled. I started making little videos here and there, none of them were all that great, but that wasn't the point. The point was to learn. I remember most of my project files were named "test" because I was doing simply that, just testing. Throughout the rest of high school, I didn't stop creating, and as a result, I became well known for my talents and made a name for myself. I worked on countless projects for the school district, local businesses, and individuals, each project teaching me a new skill or opening a new door for opportunities. Even through the worst of the pandemic, that creative drive never left. I created a pandemic docuseries despite the tough situations, working through the distress to tell a story. I see every project as a step toward my future, and in that future I see film.
    Terry Crews "Creative Courage" Scholarship
    From a young age, I was enchanted by cameras. My parents would often wake up early in the morning to find me in the middle of our family room making pretend short films and tv shows on our little point-and-shoot camera. Whether the star of the show was me, my cat, or Lego figures, it really didn't matter as long as I was creating something. One thing is for certain: I am a filmmaker. Of all the waxing and waning interests of my childhood years, the one that has stuck with me is that childlike drive to tell a story, to entertain, and to simply create. I received my first "real" camera as a Christmas present in 8th grade, and I was thrilled. I started making little videos here and there, none of them were all that great, but that wasn't the point. The point was to learn. I remember most of my project files were named "test" because I was doing simply that, just testing. Throughout the rest of high school, I didn't stop creating, and as a result, I became well known for my talents and made a name for myself. I worked on countless projects for the school district, local businesses, and individuals, each project teaching me a new skill or opening a new door for opportunities. Even through the worst of the pandemic, that creative drive never left. I created a pandemic docuseries despite the tough situations, working through the distress to tell a story. I see every project as a step toward my future, and in that future I see film.
    Bold Perseverance Scholarship
    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. What a misnomer. ADHD must have been named by someone who is not ADHD themselves because it is a terrible description for a complex and multifaceted mental difference. No, I don’t have a deficit in attention, I just have difficulty regulating it. I can sit for long periods of time editing a video, but as soon as a math test is presented to me, I freeze up. Considering the misconceptions about ADHD, to realize why I had so many issues. Executive dysfunction is hard to explain to neurotypical people. When distance learning began, I suddenly found work simply impossible to do. I have always cared about my grades and I was completely aware of every due date and every assignment. However, I simply couldn’t bring myself to do them, and I hated it. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and the resulting stress sent me into a spiral of depression. For the first time in my entire life, I was failing every class. As time went on, I began to realize this problem had always existed, it just was not as bad as it had now become. I hounded my parents to get me tested, I wanted to know so I could take steps to get my education back on track. When they finally agreed to get me tested, I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication, but that was only part of it. I took initiative and began going to therapy, and researched how to cope with ADHD's complications. I talked to my school counselors and set up a 504 plan to help ease the pressure that was causing executive dysfunction. I am not stupid or lazy, I am just different, and I am okay with that. I will overcome the challenges.