John Carmel, CBA Class of 2020

Chesapeake Bay Academy prepared me for the journey I am on today. The school taught me that the world is diverse, and that patience and understanding go a long way. I carry all those valuable lessons with me every day.

After graduating from CBA, I moved to Richmond to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While at VCU, I learned the fundamentals of filmmaking, from storytelling and cinematography to editing and production. College gave me the foundation to not only grow as an artist but also to understand the collaborative nature of filmmaking. In 2024, after graduating VCU, I moved to New York City to study in the Producing Conservatory at the New York Film Academy, where I have gained a deeper understanding of the industry and the many facets of film producing.

During this time, I also began interning for award-winning filmmaker Josh Fox, known for his work as a climate activist and director of Gasland. He is currently producing a project set to screen at the Venice Film Festival, and I was fortunate to contribute to post-production work on that project. Most recently, my own thesis short film Jessica Goes to New York was selected to screen at the Roosevelt Island Film Festival in New York, where it won the award for Best Comedy.

Looking back, CBA gave me the confidence I needed as a student, something I truly lacked before attending. It taught me that I can succeed at anything if I am willing to work a little harder and surround myself with the right people. That belief, instilled in me by CBA, continues to shape how I approach
both my life and my career, and for that I will always be grateful.