Name: Dillon Mangum
Major: Electronic Media Broadcasting
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Durham, NC
Hobbies: Filmmaking, football, disc golf, and being outdoors.
Celeb Status: Cinematographer
Q: Tell me about your experience in filmmaking.
A: I became interested in filmmaking when I was in sixth grade. I watched over a guy by the name of Packy Millikin, a former 2005 graduate from Appalachian, who made videos for my hometown church. I ended up taking over the role of making videos throughout my middle school years for our church. Overtime my videos became more and more complex throughout high school and I started to gain attention from other people.
I’ve always had a creative mind in everything that I do. I co-own a company named Mountain House Media. Over the past year, I have had several filming opportunities: shooting music videos that have reached well over 200,000 views each on YouTube, following around the Duck Dynasty crew as they speak at banquets, and capturing many wedding stories. I also assist for Tyler Adams over at TA Films and have had the opportunity to work on shows for ESPN including Snoop and Son and 30 for 30: I Hate Christian Laettner. NASCAR, USA Futsal, and NCAA are all other programs that I have helped film for over the past couple of years.
Q: Aside from filmmaking, do you have any other passions?
A: My car. You’ll never see my car dirty, even when it’s raining outside. It’s my pride and joy.
Q: What are you involved with on campus and how have you made an impact on Appalachian State University?
A: I am currently involved with the football team here at Appalachian. I make weekly highlight and motivational videos during the Football Season, I have made multiple videos for a sorority here on campus, and I assist with making the yearly video that is shown at Orientation to the freshman.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Doing what I love. I know that’s a broad answer, but my main goal was to make a career out of what I love doing. It gets me out of bed in the morning. After filming many things I’ve come to love the sports world of cinematography as well as filming and editing wedding videos. However my ultimate goal is to one day direct or produce major motion pictures. I want to be the next Steven Spielberg or Alfred Hitchcock: Household names that almost everyone knows even if they’ve never seen their movies. I want to be able to impact peoples lives by telling stories in the most unique way possible.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories you have had at Appalachian?
A: My favorite memory by far has been being able to work with people that are just as passionate with filmmaking as I am. No sleep, early morning workouts, late night editing, and traveling from state to state on the weekends with the guys that love it just as much as I do is what keeps me going. The amount of attention we have brought to our football program and amount of support we attain is the driving force behind every video that we make. People are surprised when they find out we get paid next to nothing for the amount of work we put into the football team.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’ve lived by this quote ever since I started filming.
Q: In 2014, is it true that you contributed to making the best college football motivational video in the nation?
A: Yes, I was a part of the production team that won the 2014 Ultimate SAVVY Award. To further explain, the SAVVY award is comparable to the EMMY, but it’s more specific to college football. Out of all the football programs in the nation that submitted videos for the award, we came out on top.