25 Ducks Special: Matthew Thill

May 13, 2014
Matthew Thill, originally from Albany, Oregon, is a Senior Cinema Studies student. Currently, he is heavily involved with Duck TV and works for the Cinema Studies department as a videographer and downstairs in the equipment checkout area. 


After Graduation
This summer after graduation, Thill and some friends plan on filming a small feature. After the summer he plans on moving down South to start applying for jobs in a more industry centric area like LA.

Changing The World
Thill believes that people need to be themselves more often. He stated that when you are young you have a natural desire to fit in and be like everyone else and that few people realize that this path is not for them. He emphasized the importance that young people should not be afraid to take leaps of faith and “that it is best to not be like everyone else.”

Thill went on to tell a story about how he gave a speech at his High School graduation in 2010 and he did not think that it would be well received or make a large impact on anyone’s life. Later, at the graduation for the class of 2012, he found out that someone had referenced his speech and he had a “whoa moment” when he realized that he created something that had a significant impact on someone else. With this knowledge, Thill plans on changing the world by using story telling. He reported that “storytelling can impact people on a level that I never thought was possible.”

Favorite Quote
His Father used to say “if you don’t, someone else will.” He has taken to heart his father’s message because as a Cinema Studies major, he has high hopes for himself and his career. He does not want anyone else to take that away from him. 

Advice for other students
As for other students who want to make a difference, Thill advices them to “be yourself and that you don’t have to conform.” He later said “the world has too many copies” and it needs more unique individuals. He believes that everyone should “do what you want to do, because life is too short to not be you.”

Interested in learning more about Matthew Thill? You can follow him:
Instagram: mjdthill 
Twitter: @mjdthill