SHANNON URTNOWSKI
Living Editor
Senior Dane Nielsen is living the ultimate childhood fantasy come true. With a number of student movies under his belt, Nielsen is working toward a future in the glitz and glam of the entertainment world. He has written and directed a number of student films, which are now getting attention from big-time producers and film companies in the Los Angeles area. He recently reached the semi-finals of Scriptapalooza for one of his films, gaining national recognition.
Nielsen spent his summer interning at Mandate Pictures in Beverly Hills and has returned to campus, busy in the Center for Communication and Business directing “NewsWaves 26” on Tuesdays and hosting both “Pepperdine Television Network” and “ThemWeekly.” When he is not behind the camera, Neilsen likes to live life as a normal college student, hanging out with friends and having a good time.
When did you first develop an interest for television production?
Well, I always wanted to be in entertainment. My very first thing, though — my dad took me to Universal Studios when I was 6-years old, and I did that little Star Trek attraction where you beat Klingons up with like rocks and stuff, and I just thought it was the coolest thing. And, I did school plays all through high school and I worked at a couple Shakespeare festivals and traveled around Oregon and Nevada doing that kind of stuff. It is always been a part of my life.
You were the semi-finalist in the national scriptwriting contest, Scriptapalooza. How does it feel to have made it that far?
Well, it’s just crazy because my dad and I had worked on it kind of more like a hobby. He always wanted to be a screenwriter, and he got leukemia when he was going into his senior year of college so it was kind of a way for us to replenish what he wanted to do way back when he was my age. It was kind of cool because it’s like creating your own little fantasy world. We did not get to the finalists, but we were the semifinalists out of 36,000 scripts. And it’s kind of nice because it’s a lot of work to write a 120-page script, and for people to read it and say its good is gratifying.
So where do you get your inspirations?
I’ve always loved to play make-believe, so when you sit down you can write a story that is completely original. It is the epitome of playing around with people and lives and all sorts of stuff.
How have you pursued your passion on campus?
Well, originally I’m from Reno, and I came out here and I wanted to be an actor. I got into the theater department, and I was doing the plays and the musicals and everything, and then I got into movies and TV. We just have an amazing program that a lot of people do not take advantage of. It is a lot of hands-on stuff. Like, right now I am a director for the news and hosting a bunch of other shows.
When you’re not writing scripts and in the production world, what do you like to do for fun?
I love to hang out with my friends watching college football, going out, partying, you know, just kind of enjoying the college life because it’s just so amazing. That’s what makes life worth it — just having fun.
What would be like your ultimate fantasy come true for the future?
Well, of course success is always key in that fantasy world in the future. But, just as a senior you realize that money really is not everything. You just need to do what is going to fulfill you as a person. So, as long as I am doing what makes me happy in the future I think that will be my ultimate success. So, hopefully I can remember that when I have to pay rent — doing what makes me happy and not what’s making a lot money. But, hopefully I’ll get that money someday.
And what is the first step after graduation?
The first step is a backpack trip with my Sigma Nu buddies. We are all going to Europe. So, that’s just one thing we want to do before we get to old and can’t do it any more. It is just one thing at a time at this point. You cannot jump too far ahead. I’m living the moment and having fun now.
09-14-2006
