What do you get when you combine the brains of a technical engineer and a creative business woman?  According to Brad Porter, 2008 Cornerstone University graduate, you get a media-savvy son.

When he was just a teenager, Porter began working with media. 

“I’d make James Bond movies with my dad’s camera,” Porter said. 

But he didn’t take it seriously until high school.

“It really picked up the summer going into my junior year of high school,” Porter said.

Porter attended Compass Arts Film Academy.  While studying there, Porter met Dave Anderson, associate professor of media studies.  The two developed a close relationship.

“When it came time to pick a college, I asked Dave what he recommended,” Porter said.  “He said Cornerstone.”

At Cornerstone, Porter’s passion for film continued to grow.  And his biggest inspiration was “the people here.”

“Since the department was so new and changing, everyone was open,” Porter said.  “And since it was small enough, everyone knew each other.  So professors can have a huge impact on you outside of the classroom.  That’s where all the learning happens anyway.”

While Porter’s education in all aspects of media has made him capable of working in many areas of media, he specializes in directing and shooting.  He is passionate about telling stories in a visual and effect way.

“I can’t think of a better way to connect with an audience,” Porter said.

According to Porter, creating films is the “best way to communicate a message.” 

And unfortunately, Christian films have a notorious bed reputation for low quality films.

“We have this message we are trying to communicate- the love of Christ- and I can’t think of a better way to communicate that than a story form,” Porter said.

Even though Porter graduated last spring, his face is still frequently seen on campus.  He was recently hired to help run CAMS.

Porter says the transition was smooth, but “odd at first.”  Previously, Porter’s relationship with the media faculty had been student and professor, rather than employer and employee.

“The curtain kind of drew back and I saw the gears of how this operation runs, which got me even more passionate about what’s happening here,” Porter said.

And now, Porter can help “alleviate some pressure,” in the media department.

“I can step in and help teach a class when someone needs to do something else,” Porter said.  “I can help students rather than Pete [Muir] having to do it.”

Pete Muir, assistant professor of media, agrees.

“Teaching, plus running CAMS has been pretty demanding on my time,” Muir said.  “So having Brad on staff will allow us to up our quality of service in CAMS and allow me to spend a little more time specializing in my area of post-production …”

And Muir doesn’t take Porter’s skills for granted.

 “[Brad] is an extremely talented film maker with an amazing future ahead,” Muir said.  “I’m pretty honored that he decided to stay for a while when he could have probably walked into a Hollywood internship or job.”

In fact, Porter had initially considered moving to Los Angeles to start his career.

“The way the business works is that you climb the ranks,” Porter said.  “So I wanted to go out there and get more hands-on experience.  LA has a lot more working opportunities …”

However, when the offer was made in March for Porter to stay, he chose to take it.  And since he is only on a one-year contract, Porter says once his contract is up, he will “re-evaluate.”

So while Porter doesn’t know with certainty where his career is headed, he is sure of one thing: he will continue to pursue his passion of telling stories.

“As soon as there’s a better way to [tell stories], I’ll do that,” Porter said.