Jonathan Veale ’25: A Student Filmmaker Directing His Future One Frame at a Time

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:05:28 -0400
class-of-2025, story

Major: Visual Arts (Cinematic Arts)
Minors: Photography
Hometown: Baltimore City, MD
High School: Baltimore School for the Arts

Exploring Film and Photography at UMBC

Jonathan Veale, a visual arts major at UMBC with a concentration in cinematic arts and a minor in photography, is turning his passion for storytelling into a promising creative career. A graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts, Jonathan has spent four years honing his craft through UMBC’s Linehan Artist Scholars Program and engaging deeply with the campus art community.

From Behind the Camera to Leading a Film Project

Jonathan’s academic journey culminated with a standout project through UMBC’s Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) program. His short film, showcased at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD), highlights his talent as a director and storyteller.

He shares, “This project pushed me to do a lot of things that I was not particularly comfortable doing. Being thrust into a position of complete control and basically being a producer and director at the same time was challenging yet exciting.”

Hands-On Experience in Film Production at UMBC

Though Jonathan managed multiple roles, he emphasizes the team effort behind the film’s success. “Most successful films have a team to handle all of these different producer and director roles—or at least assistants—but for this piece, I had to take charge,” he explains. “My actors and costume designers stepped up when they were needed and were with me every step of the process. They provided feedback and stepped up when they were available. This was a team effort, and I am proud of our ability to come together and create such an engaging piece with the wonderful group of students and professionals we had.”

Creating Community Through Art

Jonathan’s experience as a student artist at UMBC has been about more than technical skills. Living in the Visual and Performing Arts Living Learning Community (VPAC) and serving as a resident assistant helped him grow personally and professionally.

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“The best part of my UMBC experience was the friends and connections that I made here on campus,” he says. “As a part of the Linehan Artist program and a member of the VAPC floor, I was able to click with my fellow students and artists.”
Jonathan Veale ’25

He adds, “College is about more than just learning your craft. It’s also about creating those connections with others that will outlast even some of the academic knowledge you may gain on campus.”

Ready for What’s Next

While Jonathan is still deciding where his artistic path will lead, he leaves UMBC with strong creative work, professional experience, and a tight-knit network of peers and mentors.