Student Showcase: Donavan Lynch

FOURTH-YEAR, TELEVISION PRODUCING 

INTERVIEWED BY JAHLEN GRANT-KING | PORTRAIT BY MARIAN HILL 

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL STYLE FOR TV PRODUCTION? 

There is always a sense of comedy in everything I create. I love sitting back and enjoying the silliness of a story — they inspire me to create hilarious ideas of my own. I love making people laugh. You don’t always know everyone’s sense of humor, so you have to do your best to tend to everyone. 

WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF TV PRODUCTION? WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING? 

The most challenging thing about TV production is getting your foot in the door. You also have to learn how to compromise. Since most productions are a group effort, you need to listen to ideas and find a way to satisfy everyone. The most fun aspect is seeing your ideas come to life. I find everything in media to be fun and different. You get to travel to different places, meet new people and create many new experiences. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SCAD? 

My favorite thing about SCAD is its international presence. It’s so refreshing that many of my classmates are also international students. There is a sense of community in Atlanta — different people from all walks of life are everywhere. I always feel like I belong.

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE TV PRODUCTION? 

Since I was a child, I was interested in everything film and TV-related. Every Saturday, I woke up early just to turn on the TV and watch shows to my heart’s content. After watching different programs, I realized that I had to be involved in that world. I chose SCAD because I heard about their amazing television production program. I also knew that Atlanta was the best place for TV and film due to its growing media industry. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TV PRODUCTION? 

Online streaming plays a huge role because productions aren’t restricted to cable TV anymore. Netflix and Hulu really inspire me because they take any idea and find a way to turn it into reality. In the Bahamas, our TV stations only show the news and many people my age don’t even attempt to turn them on. 

I am inspired to change the state of TV in the Bahamas because if I don’t, how long will someone have to wait for it to happen? I want to move back and create my own production company. I want to bring interesting and inspirational programs to the Bahamian people. This would allow me to tell stories that are passed on from generation to generation. 

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