Following Dreams by Finding Beauty in Truth
Olga Bonfiglio
College of Arts and Sciences staff writer
Tirrea Billings, a senior from Saginaw in Film, Video and Media Studies, wants to be a filmmaker. Johnson Simon ‘15 of West Palm Beach, FL, wants to be an artist.
The two met at bible study through the WMU student organization, Collegiate Black & Christian. As a result of their friendship Billings created a moving documentary about Johnson’s quest to overcome his cerebral palsy disability through art.
“I got the idea for the project from my English class,” said Billings. “We had to do a genre project and write a paper about it. I chose to do an inspiring and motivating documentary, and Johnson seemed to be the best, most obvious subject.”
In a ten-minute mini-version of Billings’ project in a YouTube video titled “Painting Dreams: The Story of Johnson Simon,” Simon discusses the value of his life and purpose despite his disability.
“’Painting Dreams’ is about an inspirational, kind-hearted, motivated individual who does not look at his cerebral palsy as a setback, but rather as a reason to be even more motivated in pursing his dreams,” said Billings.
The documentary showcases Simon’s journey of what it is like being a disabled college student in his own words and how he was able to become a gifted painter and graduate with a degree in Fine Arts.
“Simon continues to break the stereotypes of college students with disabilities, and is living testimony that nothing is impossible,” said Billings. “And most importantly, he illustrates what it means to ‘never, never give up.’”
Billings plans to expand the video to 60 minutes in order to feature Simon’s December 2015 graduation and depict life with his family. Meanwhile, Simon plans to return to the Midwest and look for a temporary job while he applies to a graduate school where he will study to be either an art professor or an art therapist with an emphasis in painting.
Deciding on filmmaking didn’t come easily for Billings who started her college career at Alma College. After taking a class on new media studies there during her sophomore year, she instantly fell in love with the field and decided to pursue it as a career.
However, while Alma lacked the capacity for Billings to achieve her aspirations, the WMU School of Communication did. Billings’ mentor, Dr. Jennifer A. Machiorlatti, professor of communication and undergraduate director for the School of Communication, has been instrumental in helping her reach her goals.
“Dr. Mac has given me great guidance to prepare myself both academically and professionally,” said Billings. “She has a great perspective on the professional world of filmmaking.”
Likewise, Billings has impressed her professor.
"I can certainly say that what I've seen thus far is technically astute and tells us a wonderful story of hope and healing through art," said Machiorlatti. "Not many students want to be documentary filmmakers, it's a very specialized profession that certainly doesn't have the income potential of broadcast or fiction feature films. But documentary educates, informs, uplifts and gets people involved with their communities. These films change lives, and Tirrea is already well on her way to becoming a talented storyteller and community activist."
After graduation in December, Billings plans to go to graduate school at DePaul University in Chicago and earn a master’s degree in documentary filmmaking and journalism.
“I’m also a writer,” said Billings, who is minoring in creative writing. Her work has appeared in the Western Herald and The Odyssey on campus and in a couple professional travel magazines: Our Mississippi newsletter and Experience Michigan.
Billings has had several internships to augment her video production portfolio. So far, she has worked for the Public Media Network in downtown Kalamazoo as well as for Bronco Productions where she is now a regular employee. She is also going to be filming and editing an anti-stigma event for CARES, the second largest HIV/AIDS service provider in the state. (The event is on January 22, 2016).
“I love documentary films because I am moved by the real life experiences of others,” said Tirrea. “Films are like visual books. I want to share those visions and those stories with the world. There is so much beauty in truth, and I want to capture that beauty in my documentaries.”