Sitting in the Schine cafeteria, sophomore Chad Cooper might not stick out of the crowd. His orange Syracuse hat, black-rimmed glasses and 5 o’clock shadow seems normal but Cooper isn’t simply sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch – he’s thinking about the next few movies he’ll write and produce.

He has worked on the set of ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,’ partied with Shia LaBeouf and has had his films seen all across the country.

Cooper freelanced for MTV, was offered a job with Sony and began the first entirely student-run film festival for students, where all proceeds were donated to charity. He also founded SEEFiLMS LLC, a film company which produces romantic movies and thrillers.

To Cooper, it’s all about the art and the ability to stretch reality.

‘I love creating my own work,’ Cooper said. ‘I like to go to different worlds. I can make decisions about characters and, in a way, play God.’

Despite his divine aspirations, he still manages to sleep in until 4 p.m. on Saturdays, watch a movie or two every day and keep his grades up.

‘Chad’s unbelievable, and modest, too,’ said Nate Stein, a sophomore Bandier student and vice president of Cooper’s film company, SEEFiLMS LLC. ‘I remember the first time I saw one of his films. I was so impressed with the quality; I knew I wanted to be a part of what he was doing.’

Cooper and Stein teamed up and created their own production company in January. They are currently working together on 10 films.

‘In order to make big budget movies, you have to be legit,’ Cooper said. ‘The company exists so that we can take the next creative steps and develop our films.’

In two weeks, Cooper’s short film ‘Sweet Cement’ will play at the Insomnia Film Festival hosted by Apple in New York City.

Over the summer, ‘See Saw,’ an independent film Cooper worked on, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in France, one of the most internationally renowned film festivals around.

Several of Cooper’s other short films have shown across the United States, as well. As his success continued to blossom, creating SEEFiLMS LLC became a necessity.

His passion for film has made him an unusually successful 19-year-old student and professional filmmaker.

‘I take on a lot of stuff,’ Cooper said. ‘But I love to be challenged.’

Cooper is no stranger to rejection – producers have turned several of his ideas down, but he continues to make films, unrelenting in his endeavors and dedication to the art.

His enthusiasm shines through when he speaks, pushing his eccentric nature out.

He blushes when his friends talk about sex; he doesn’t have the patience for video games and has less time to do other things he misses – like playing music.

While Cooper’s guitar and love life may be neglected from time to time, Stein doesn’t doubt that Cooper will be successful.

‘I think as long as he keeps making movies, it’ll pick up and could become something great,’ Stein said.

Cooper’s ambitious nature appeals to many major companies. Last year, Sony offered him a job working in production. It was the chance to leave school and jump right into big budget films.

While Cooper still works for several major producers during his summer and semester breaks, he declined the offer.

‘I want the college experience,’ Cooper said. ‘I want the education, and I want to be able to go through this phase of my life like everyone else.’

Although Cooper has nearly been snatched by Hollywood on several occasions, he attends class and parties just like every other college kid – even if his party crowd sometimes includes Seth Rogan and LaBeouf.

‘My life’s nuts,’ Cooper said. ‘Every day is different.’

But Cooper doesn’t do it for the celebrity friends, the money or the babes. The most important thing to Cooper is the art.

Cooper makes his movies to entertain people, he said. But he isn’t always the boss; he’s working his way up the ladder, trying to become accomplished and respected in the film industry.

While helping directors with their visions and using cinematography as language, Cooper works on sound, editing and directing.

‘My dream is either to be a director or a cinematographer for the big budget, $100 million films,’ he said.

rdjone03@syr.edu

Published on September 8, 2008 at 12:00 pm