From the small town of Campbellsville, Kentucky, to the fast-paced world of filmmaking, Guilherme Vital has turned his passion into a profession. A 2023 Campbellsville University film graduate, he’s now making his way onto the scene of major productions.
Vital said much of his foundation for film came from his time at Campbellsville University, where most of his time in the classroom was spent helping him grasp the culture and technical side of production.
“Many of the classes were technique-driven to learn what I would need to know before stepping on an actual set,” he said.
Vital went on to spend his last semester of college in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Film
Studies Center where he feels he gained the bulk of his production knowledge. During his time at LAFSC, he took classes such as narrative storytelling, Hollywood production workshop, and faith and artistic development.
Recently, through a connection Vital made at the LAFSC, he was able to land what he considers his first big job.
“My first big job was [the movie] ‘Bob Trevino Likes It,’” Vital said. “One of the students I met at LAFSC was interning with the director and she asked me if I was going to be in Kentucky during the time of the filming. I told her I was and would be interested, and she recommended me.”
“Bob Trevino Likes It” is a 2024 American comedy drama written and directed by Tracie Laymon. It stars Barbara Ferreira and John Leguizamo. What started as a simple position on the set turned out to be so much more for Vital. He ended up taking on more than one position, which allowed him to gain experience in multiple aspects of his first major production.
“I started as a photo double,” Vital said. “But then I actually ended up being a stills photographer, BTS (Behind the Scenes) videographer, graphics coordinator and production assistant.”
Vital has been able to work on some projects of his own since graduation and even has been able to step into a director’s role.
“The short film I directed called ‘Mr. Bubbles’ was my favorite,” Vital said. “Being able to take all the ideas and dreams I had and make them real was super cool. I also feel like it helped me come back to filmmaking because, for a little bit, I felt myself drifting away from it.”
Looking back at his journey, Vital hopes to encourage aspiring filmmakers to take on every challenge and embrace each journey.
“Use whatever tools you need to make projects because practice definitely makes perfect,” Vital said. “Don’t be afraid to try different positions, be a director, be a still director and be open to trying all of it. Most importantly, be open to facing challenges that will get you out of your comfort zone. That’s what makes a great filmmaker.”
Vital isn’t just a filmmaker. He’s someone who is driven by passion, his personality, and his ability to become the best version of himself. He’s always up to sharing knowledge and helping out in any way he can, even if it’s on smaller projects.
“His character definitely influences the kind of stories he likes to tell,” close friend Zach Clements said. “He takes multiple different opportunities to explore the film industry. He doesn’t care to be a big fish in a little pond or a small fish in a big pond.”
Vital’s journey has been a testament that hard work pays off, and that dreams can come true. His growth over the past six years has been inspiring, going from a college freshman from Campinas, Brazil, to the big screen of his first professional film. Vital wakes up every day hoping he can motivate the next generation of students who want to enter the film industry.
“He works hard to get what he wants,” former classmate Ian Lopez said. “It’s amazing how far he has come. From having film classes together to seeing him direct projects here with CU Sports Information, to recently going and watching a film that he was part of and seeing his name on the big screen during the credits gave me hope that dreams actually come true and that I could work for the industry like he has. He is a true inspiration.”
