Student Snapshot – Patrick Martin

Patrick Martin
BFA Class of 2026

Introduce yourself briefly and tell me a little bit about your background. Are you an MFA or BFA?
I’m Patrick Martin. I’m a BFA 1 in the animation program. I was born in Miami but raised in Gainesville by my Cuban family. A lot of my inspiration comes from my two favorite things: food and culture. The world is a tasty and beautiful place, and I want people to understand that through my work.

Who is your favorite Filmmaker and What is your favorite movie?
One of my favorite filmmakers is Hayao Miyazaki. His films are literally moving paintings. Each frame has love and passion, and how the characters and nature move is so satisfying. Hand-drawn animation moves look natural and fluid, making his films set in magical worlds seem grounded in reality. It also helps that the food depicted in his films looks extremely mouth-watering. My favorite film, currently, is “Mind Game” directed by Masaaki Yuasa. It is probably one of the most insane and surreal films I’ve ever seen – in a good way. The variety in art styles and mixture of 2D and 3D animation along with live action make watching it a psychedelic experience. Besides how it looks, I love the message of the film, and the quote at the end will forever be engraved in my heart.

What are you currently working on?
Right now I’m working on a 3D model for an upperclassman’s thesis project, and it’s been incredible! I’ve learned so much and it’s like I’m being prepared to work in the industry. I also have my normal animation classes, where I’m learning to hone my skills. We’re actually doing a world-building exercise in our modeling class where we’ve designed a full-fledged post-apocalyptic fantasy world, and we’re designing characters to inhabit it. It’s something I honestly want to continue with my classmates after I graduate.

What does your typical day look like?
Depending on the day, I’ll have a class in either the morning or afternoon. The class will vary from lighting to modeling, or animation. When we don’t have classes, we have thesis support, where we are assigned different aspects of a director’s thesis to create. When I’m done with work for the day I’ll go home and do some work before prepping for the next day.

What has been the best part of film school so far?
The best part of film school has honestly been the community. I love how everyone knows everyone, it makes things a lot less intimidating when you have a problem to solve. I’m surrounded by lifetime friends who all have the same artistic passion – I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Which faculty member has made the greatest impression on you and how?
I think the faculty member that had made the greatest impression on me is Jason Maurer. He is one of the few teachers I’ve ever had that genuinely cares about their students. When I first met him I was intimidated, but when you get to know him it’s understandable that he is extremely passionate about storytelling and making everything perfect. Having him as a teacher has made me strive more for perfection in my work. Even when I’m working on personal projects I’ll stop and think “What would Jason say” or “How would Jason view this?”

What do you think someone applying to the program should know about the FSU Film School?
FSU Film School is an organization that strives to make each one of its students ready for industry work. The faculty and students have a casual relationship where anyone can ask anyone for help regarding anything. Everyone here works extremely hard to deliver cinematic experiences like no one else.

Favorite Film School Moment?
One of my favorite film school moments was the premiere of our first films for the school, or our “F1.” A lot of us had never made a film before, so to see our hard work pay off at the premiere meant so much to me. Everyone was super excited to see their films on the big screen, and each one received thunderous applause from each classmate.

It’s late, you’re at the Film School working on something you need to finish before tomorrow: where are you and who are you with?
I’m in the Production Pit working on an animation assignment. I’m in there with my best friends who sit on either side of me. We’re all craving Chipotle and are trying to make a mobile order.