As a senior, alumnus Nathan Flanagan-Frankl (‘10), stood in the CPA handing out awards at the Senior Awards Ceremony. Now just four years later, Flanagan-Frankl is scheduled to deliver Oscar statuettes to celebrity presenters at the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2.
“It is a really big step going from the awards ceremony at [Glenbrook North] to the Academy Awards in Hollywood,” Flanagan-Frankl said.
He entered the “Team Oscar” college search through Facebook after hearing about the contest on “The Ellen Show.” In order to be considered, applicants had to create a one-minute video explaining what he or she would like to contribute to the future of filmmaking.
In a statement published by the Academy Awards, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said, “We created this contest last year to give students who are passionate about film the opportunity to set their sights on the future.
“We received so many inspiring submissions this year that it made for a difficult choice, but the talent and stories of these six winners really represent what Team Oscar is all about and convinced us that they are a perfect fit for the Oscar stage.”
Flanagan-Frankl is one of six college student winners who will appear at the Oscars and will also attend a week of filmmaking experiences such as studio tours and meet and greets with successful filmmakers.
After receiving a call from the Academy Awards producers, Flanagan-Frankl said he was speechless.
“I was just ecstatic,” said Flanagan-Frankl. “I didn’t even know the magnitude of what it meant. Everything from my name being in an article on the Hollywood Reporter, to the fact that everyone has seen it, to the fact that it was on ‘Ellen,’ to me being on stage at the Oscars for the broadcast, every single part is unbelievable to me.”
Flanagan-Frankl’s video submission is about the Asian stereotypes he has struggled with throughout his life. Ever since he was a kid watching shows on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, he said he had trouble finding characters to whom he could relate.
“I [see] that there [is] definitely a gap in media right now,” said Flanagan-Frankl. “There needs to be more lead characters and just a representation of all classes in the film industry that really enlightens people and doesn’t create this sense of otherness.”
Director of Theater Julie Ann Robinson knows Flanagan-Frankl on a personal level from his involvement in the theater department.
“I think that [this experience] is going to connect him to the right people, which that industry is all about,” said Robinson. “There are a lot of people with great ideas who work hard. A person can go to Hollywood and work for 10 years and never really break into the right circles and I think that this will open some doors for him, that he will be on people’s radars as a young kid with a lot of excitement for this and the talent and creativity to back it up.”
Flanagan-Frankl advises those interested in pursuing a career in the film industry to be passionate. He believes that if one is not in love with his or her work, it will be hard to be successful.
“Sometimes you have to make sacrifices,” said Flanagan-Frankl. “Sometimes I’ve had late nights where I don’t sleep and I have to chug a Red Bull or coffee to stay awake. Sometimes I can’t go out with my friends all the time, but if you’re passionate about something, it won’t seem like work.”