Explore Topics

Custom Class: post-landing-hero

Meet the Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Leading Rowland Hall’s Media Arts Program

When media arts teacher Danny Schmidt was in high school, he didn’t dream about making films.

“I always appreciated visual arts, and the teachers in those programs—I liked using that part of my brain—but I had a mind for science,” he remembered.

So as an undergraduate, Danny chose to study geography and computer science at the University of Utah, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in earth science. He then began looking into graduate school, starting his search with what he called the “obvious options” tied to his undergraduate field of study. While searching, he discovered Montana State University’s master of fine arts in science and natural history filmmaking, a program that trains students with backgrounds in science, engineering, and technology as creative filmmakers.

Listen to this story | Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

“That sounded really fun,” Danny remembered, and like a great way to combine his love of science with his continued interest in the visual arts. He enrolled in the program and fully jumped into learning the art of filmmaking.

After graduation, Danny began working as a director, producer, and cinematographer on projects across film styles: non-fiction television, web content, and, what he may be most passionate about, documentaries. Looking through Danny’s portfolio, it’s clear his work—which has appeared at film festivals around the world and can be seen on PBS, Disney+, and Netflix—is made up of projects he cares about.

“I’m not making a film about something I don’t have an investment in,” explained Danny. That’s because he works on films for years at a time and knows the vicarious toll that telling human stories can take. By choosing topics that resonate with him, Danny ensures he’ll have the drive he’ll need to move his projects forward—and that he’ll create work that touches audiences.

It’s no surprise, then, that Danny's projects have received numerous accolades over the years. Most recently, Path of the Panther, on which he worked as a cinematographer and consulting producer, won the national Emmy for Outstanding Nature Documentary. (Danny has also won regional Emmys for the PBS films Indian Relay and Finding Traction.)


Path of the Panther follows people dedicated to protecting the endangered Florida panther and its shrinking habitat. As cinematographer, Danny traveled to the Florida Everglades a dozen times to capture the lives of panthers and the essence of their home, which, as more and more people move to the state, is being encroached upon. The goal of the feature-length documentary, one of a series of National Geographic films about native Florida wildlife, was to highlight the biodiversity of swampland through the perspective of panthers. As a result of these films, conservation efforts, including legislation to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor, have become a reality. So while the Emmy recognition is really gratifying, Danny is also proud of the project’s larger impact.

We make these films because we care about the world. ...
By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change.
—Danny Schmidt, Middle School and Upper School media arts teacher

“We make these films because we care about the world,” he said.

And because Danny cares about making an impact on the world through film, he’s chosen to empower the next generation of young filmmakers as a teacher. He’s a firm believer that anyone can make documentaries, and he enjoys helping students push past the art form’s steep learning curve so they can create work they’re proud of and share their voices with a larger audience.

“By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change,” he said.

At Rowland Hall, which is expanding media arts as part of our strong visual and performing arts program, Danny is putting his expertise to work, aiming to make the school’s program top-notch among independent schools nationally. This year alone, the program is offering classes in media arts, media literacy, and podcasting in the Middle School, and media arts and documentary film production (levels I and II) in the Upper School. It will expand to include classes in advanced post-production and cinematography in 2025–2026.

“Danny's vision for the program and some of the work his students are already doing with his guidance align beautifully with our strategic priority goals,” said Upper School Principal Ingrid Gustavson. She added that, in addition to working with his own students, Danny collaborates with colleagues across disciplines to showcase the power of film as a tool for communication, collaboration, building understanding, and taking action, all of which amplify student voices.

“The medium lends itself well to student-designed projects, creative problem-solving, and documentation of our immediate, as well as wider, community, for the purpose of highlighting timely issues and compelling stories,” Ingrid continued.

A Rowland Hall high schooler films a documentary.

Upper schoolers Madsen Varner (left) and Evan Elkin work on a documentary on the Lincoln Street Campus.


Indeed, by investing in media arts, Rowland Hall is benefiting students in numerous ways, beginning by helping them see themselves as storytellers with valuable perspectives. One way Danny builds this understanding is by having students pick the subjects they’re most interested in for their projects. This allows them to discover and tap into their personal passions and become confident in their storytelling abilities.

“It’s empowering for students to take a big cinema camera and tripod, walk confidently down the hall, and start filming a story and capturing reality as they see it, not as someone else does, or as they’re told,” explained Danny.

Filmmaking can help shape empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy.

It also democratizes filmmaking, a powerful medium that was once tightly controlled. Today, Danny said, students can flip the script, telling stories about what they want, the way they want. It shows them their voices matter and have influence, while helping them better understand the media they themselves consume and the power that media can have. And it helps shape them as empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the filmmaking process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy. “It’s really impactful on students to make films about themselves and others,” said Danny.

Ninth grader Will Weisselberg, who was initially worried about the challenge of making films, said his media arts classes have built his confidence and taught him a lot about himself—particularly when it comes to his commitment to the process and his passion for his work.

“I think this passion comes from the idea of sharing my perspective on things I'm interested in,” he said. “I can put effort and time into things I care about.”

Will’s even considering filmmaking as a career and said he’s grateful he’s had the chance to learn from a teacher who believes students can make a real difference.

“Danny Schmidt is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had,” said Will. “He teaches with such passion and commitment, and truly cares about how we learn and the kinds of films we make.”

And for Danny, who has long been aware of the school just up the street from his house, joining Rowland Hall’s faculty has been a welcome addition to his impressive career, allowing him to make an impact on a learning community whose values align with those that have driven his filmmaking.

“I knew at Rowland Hall I would have not only the resources, but students that would take the medium seriously,” he said, “not to mention the integrity of people who care a lot about making change in the world.”

People

Meet the Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Leading Rowland Hall’s Media Arts Program

When media arts teacher Danny Schmidt was in high school, he didn’t dream about making films.

“I always appreciated visual arts, and the teachers in those programs—I liked using that part of my brain—but I had a mind for science,” he remembered.

So as an undergraduate, Danny chose to study geography and computer science at the University of Utah, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in earth science. He then began looking into graduate school, starting his search with what he called the “obvious options” tied to his undergraduate field of study. While searching, he discovered Montana State University’s master of fine arts in science and natural history filmmaking, a program that trains students with backgrounds in science, engineering, and technology as creative filmmakers.

Listen to this story | Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

“That sounded really fun,” Danny remembered, and like a great way to combine his love of science with his continued interest in the visual arts. He enrolled in the program and fully jumped into learning the art of filmmaking.

After graduation, Danny began working as a director, producer, and cinematographer on projects across film styles: non-fiction television, web content, and, what he may be most passionate about, documentaries. Looking through Danny’s portfolio, it’s clear his work—which has appeared at film festivals around the world and can be seen on PBS, Disney+, and Netflix—is made up of projects he cares about.

“I’m not making a film about something I don’t have an investment in,” explained Danny. That’s because he works on films for years at a time and knows the vicarious toll that telling human stories can take. By choosing topics that resonate with him, Danny ensures he’ll have the drive he’ll need to move his projects forward—and that he’ll create work that touches audiences.

It’s no surprise, then, that Danny's projects have received numerous accolades over the years. Most recently, Path of the Panther, on which he worked as a cinematographer and consulting producer, won the national Emmy for Outstanding Nature Documentary. (Danny has also won regional Emmys for the PBS films Indian Relay and Finding Traction.)


Path of the Panther follows people dedicated to protecting the endangered Florida panther and its shrinking habitat. As cinematographer, Danny traveled to the Florida Everglades a dozen times to capture the lives of panthers and the essence of their home, which, as more and more people move to the state, is being encroached upon. The goal of the feature-length documentary, one of a series of National Geographic films about native Florida wildlife, was to highlight the biodiversity of swampland through the perspective of panthers. As a result of these films, conservation efforts, including legislation to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor, have become a reality. So while the Emmy recognition is really gratifying, Danny is also proud of the project’s larger impact.

We make these films because we care about the world. ...
By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change.
—Danny Schmidt, Middle School and Upper School media arts teacher

“We make these films because we care about the world,” he said.

And because Danny cares about making an impact on the world through film, he’s chosen to empower the next generation of young filmmakers as a teacher. He’s a firm believer that anyone can make documentaries, and he enjoys helping students push past the art form’s steep learning curve so they can create work they’re proud of and share their voices with a larger audience.

“By teaching, I multiply my efforts of putting this medium to good use to make change,” he said.

At Rowland Hall, which is expanding media arts as part of our strong visual and performing arts program, Danny is putting his expertise to work, aiming to make the school’s program top-notch among independent schools nationally. This year alone, the program is offering classes in media arts, media literacy, and podcasting in the Middle School, and media arts and documentary film production (levels I and II) in the Upper School. It will expand to include classes in advanced post-production and cinematography in 2025–2026.

“Danny's vision for the program and some of the work his students are already doing with his guidance align beautifully with our strategic priority goals,” said Upper School Principal Ingrid Gustavson. She added that, in addition to working with his own students, Danny collaborates with colleagues across disciplines to showcase the power of film as a tool for communication, collaboration, building understanding, and taking action, all of which amplify student voices.

“The medium lends itself well to student-designed projects, creative problem-solving, and documentation of our immediate, as well as wider, community, for the purpose of highlighting timely issues and compelling stories,” Ingrid continued.

A Rowland Hall high schooler films a documentary.

Upper schoolers Madsen Varner (left) and Evan Elkin work on a documentary on the Lincoln Street Campus.


Indeed, by investing in media arts, Rowland Hall is benefiting students in numerous ways, beginning by helping them see themselves as storytellers with valuable perspectives. One way Danny builds this understanding is by having students pick the subjects they’re most interested in for their projects. This allows them to discover and tap into their personal passions and become confident in their storytelling abilities.

“It’s empowering for students to take a big cinema camera and tripod, walk confidently down the hall, and start filming a story and capturing reality as they see it, not as someone else does, or as they’re told,” explained Danny.

Filmmaking can help shape empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy.

It also democratizes filmmaking, a powerful medium that was once tightly controlled. Today, Danny said, students can flip the script, telling stories about what they want, the way they want. It shows them their voices matter and have influence, while helping them better understand the media they themselves consume and the power that media can have. And it helps shape them as empathetic and ethical global citizens. Through the filmmaking process, students are asked to slow down, to really look at the world around them, to ask questions about what they care about, and to build empathy. “It’s really impactful on students to make films about themselves and others,” said Danny.

Ninth grader Will Weisselberg, who was initially worried about the challenge of making films, said his media arts classes have built his confidence and taught him a lot about himself—particularly when it comes to his commitment to the process and his passion for his work.

“I think this passion comes from the idea of sharing my perspective on things I'm interested in,” he said. “I can put effort and time into things I care about.”

Will’s even considering filmmaking as a career and said he’s grateful he’s had the chance to learn from a teacher who believes students can make a real difference.

“Danny Schmidt is by far one of the best teachers I have ever had,” said Will. “He teaches with such passion and commitment, and truly cares about how we learn and the kinds of films we make.”

And for Danny, who has long been aware of the school just up the street from his house, joining Rowland Hall’s faculty has been a welcome addition to his impressive career, allowing him to make an impact on a learning community whose values align with those that have driven his filmmaking.

“I knew at Rowland Hall I would have not only the resources, but students that would take the medium seriously,” he said, “not to mention the integrity of people who care a lot about making change in the world.”

People

Explore Our Most Recent Stories

You Belong at Rowland Hall