Alumni Profile: Aaron Godfred '02

Producer
Portage
Major at Linfield: International Business

What are you doing now?
I'm a filmmaker. I produce movies, commercials and new-media content. I just had a movie open in theaters called John Dies At The End. It's my biggest project to date and stars Paul Giamatti and Clancy Brown. I was the co-producer and visual effects supervisor. In non-film terms, I'm a general contractor. A director or financier comes to me with a project and I put together the crew, locations, permits, equipment and everything else needed to make a movie. Then it's my job to run the production and bring the film in on time and on budget. I recently production managed a short film for The Avengers Bluray special features called Item 47. This was a blast, literally. We spent four days blowing up hotel rooms and bank vaults with a massive alien bazooka.

Tell us about yourself.
I'm originally from Anchorage, Alaska, and currently living in Los Angeles with my wife and five-month-old twin daughters. When I'm not working or spending time with my family, I'm surfing. I started surfing sophomore year at Otter Rock and Pacific City. My surf buddy and I would get up at 5 a.m., drive out to the coast in the pouring rain, surf and then come back for class. Even though I reside in sunny Southern California, there is a huge place in my heart for Oregon and the majesty of its wilderness. Despite my efforts, I haven't been able to find a bento as good as the one at the 76 station across from Linfield.

How did Linfield help prepare you for your career?
I matured a lot at Linfield. When I first started, I was all over the place. I wanted to do everything so I participated in student government, joined a fraternity, played lacrosse and took classes ranging from Chinese to Arthurian legend and glassblowing. I originally intended to major in chemistry but switched to international business after being challenged to figure out what I actually wanted to do after college. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing and do a Jan Term in Toulouse, France. I attribute Linfield to opening my eyes to the world, and inspiring a life-long passion for education.

I also developed a network of dear friends and colleagues that I keep in touch with. I filmed my first movie in Portland because I knew I could count on the generosity of my friends and classmates to help with locations, financing, acting, vehicles and support. My producing partner was also a Linfield grad living in LA. I always encourage future students to find a college that is away from their hometown, live in the dorms and experience everything. You get out of college what you put into it.