Ian Lane graduated from Anderson University in 2019 with a degree in Cinema and Media Arts. He is currently the videographer/photographer for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and is part of the video production crew for Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
What was your favorite thing about AU during your time here?
“One of my favorite things about AU was the professors and my classmates,” Lane said. “Not only did you get to see them in class, but outside of class, as well. It was cool to not always see people in an academic setting and have conversations one-on-one.”
Do you feel that your classes and professors here pushed you to learn everything you can, and be as knowledgeable as possible about your field?
“My professors really helped me learn a lot about the film industry and how to get into that field,” he said. “Dave Armstrong [former AU professor] was a major influence. He taught me a lot about responsibility and how hard you need to push yourself to get into the field.”
Lane also touched on how the industry tends to be reputation based and being on time and good at your job will help you go a long way. “Have the equipment ready, be communicative and be sure to do that early on,” he said.
How has your vision for how you see your career changed since first enrolling at AU?
“I think when I first enrolled at AU, I definitely did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to do,” Lane said. Lane grew up creating his own content and wasn’t quite sure how that would translate into his future career, or if it would even translate at all. “I didn’t know what that would turn into. I didn’t even know what a professional videographer was. But when I started taking classes at AU, it kind of shaped my knowledge of what video was.”
What is your favorite movie?
Lane’s favorite film to watch is There Will Be Blood. He considers himself a very big Paul Thomas Anderson fan and is super excited that Anderson’s film Licorice Pizza was nominated for numerous Oscars.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
When asked who Lane looks up to in the world of video production, he shared that he quite admires other local filmmakers and videographers. He is able to draw inspiration from smaller creators and learn how people interpret different filming styles and techniques.
What is it like to work for the Children’s Museum?
“It’s a lot of fun and a relaxed environment,” he said. “I work a lot with kids and families and it’s so much fun.” Lane helps with everything that is shot and produced in the museum. There are always new exhibits coming through and there is always stuff to shoot.
How did you become affiliated with the Pacers?
“I have always been a big fan of the NBA and the Pacers,” Lane said. “I applied for a job with them after graduation in 2019 to be a part of their crew, but it didn’t work out. After Covid hit, I did some work for a company called Synergy Sports who happened to be shooting some things at The Pacers Athletic Center. Soon after, the Pacers posted a job through LinkedIn and I thought it would be a great opportunity to apply. Initially, I wasn’t hired. A couple months went by and I received a call saying they had some openings.”
Lane shared that he loves his job working for the Pacers with his vast basketball and Pacers knowledge coming in handy for him.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“If you would have asked me that question before I started working for the Pacers and the Children’s Museum, I don’t know what I would have told you,” he said. “I had a sense that I was never going to work in video and I felt trapped. When I got hired by the museum, my confidence went up. It feels amazing to do what you love. The fact that I not only work one, but two jobs and I freelance, I feel like I can keep growing in this business, and in many ways, I can do almost anything I want. If I can keep getting jobs and make my resume look better and better, I might have the ability to move out of state and work in this field. Hopefully in LA. I might even be able to become a content creator on the internet.”
Biggest advice for graduating seniors:
“My advice to students is to look to create creative things,” Lane said. “Look to do things that haven’t been done before on campus.” Lane said it is very important to learn the required equipment and just start doing stuff, whether that be shooting or anything else.
“I was really hesitant to do a lot of these things because my classmates were also timid,” he said. “Be that person who wants to be ambitious. You learn from your mistakes.”
Claire Mountcastle is a senior from Anderson, Indiana majoring in public relations with a minor in journalism. She serves as the secretary of PRSSA, account manager and editor of Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.