“CBU really helped me build my confidence and made me a much more well-rounded filmmaker. My professors helped set the foundation for me, and I was so supported and encouraged while making films at CBU.”
Quick Facts
Program: Film, B.A.
Graduation Year: 2019
Past Credits: Post-Production Assistant, CW’s series, “Roswell, New Mexico”; Writer, CBS's “So
Help Me Todd”
Current Job Title: Creator and Founder of Kimco Productions
Choosing Between Dentistry and Film
David Ramos (‘19) has loved the world of film and television for as long as he can remember.
Ramos’ interest in filmmaking started at a very young age. He would create home movies with footage he captured of his life, from his sister’s dance recitals to family get-togethers, and small and big moments in between.
When it came time for him to choose a major at CBU, he was torn between pursuing his passion for creating or following in the family’s footsteps.
“I pursued dentistry because my sisters went to dental school and my mom was a dentist,” Ramos said. “I’m pretty good at science, but opportunities kept coming up for me to make videos on campus.”
Ramos was approached by Kendall Rummell (‘16) who worked as a resident assistant for Smith Hall, CBU’s dorms for male freshmen, to create a video showcasing life in the hall.
Rummell had heard how much Ramos enjoyed filming. The video was a hit among the residents.
Ramos went on to make more videos, and his professors encouraged him to focus on the work that mattered most to him.
“I had never seen anyone in my family ever try to make a career out of something creative,” Ramos said. “But when I saw the opportunities, that was a mental switch (for me). My sophomore year I switched my major to film studies and never looked back.”
Gaining Experience in the Film Industry After College
His entry into the film industry came full circle when he had the chance to work with Rummell again after graduation. Rummell was working in post-production on the CW’s series, “Roswell, New Mexico,” and he invited Ramos to work with him.
Ramos joined the post-production team as an assistant.
Later, Ramos tapped into another side of his creativity — writing. He went to work in the writer’s room for the CBS show “So Help Me Todd.” It was here that Ramos was able to channel his skills for storytelling.
“At this point in my career, I decided I needed to do whatever I could to become a writer because that was where my main passion was,” Ramos said.
A normal day in the writer’s room is a balance of administrative and creative work. Scheduling meetings, taking notes on calls with studio executives and researching topics relevant to an episode are all part of the process, Ramos described.
“The most exciting part of my job is being part of a breaking story with some of the industry’s best,” Ramos said. “I’ve really enjoyed picking up different parts of all the writers’ processes to refine my own creative process.”
Ramos stays connected to his faith and his purpose by connecting with believers he works with in the industry.
“It’s an important commodity in the filmmaking industry to fellowship with others, and the biblically rooted upbringing I had at CBU is something I value,” Ramos said.
Creating His Own Indie Film Company
Ramos created his own independent film company, Kimco Productions, and is working on an indie film, “TSEHAI,” a story about Ethiopian culture, being a teenage girl and leaning into a mixed-race identity.
Last month, it was announced that TSEHAI was selected to screen and premiere at the 27th Annual Oscar/BAFTA qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival.
The film and entertainment industry comes with its unique set of challenges. It is competitive, and having discipline and remaining focused is key, Ramos said.
“CBU really helped me build my confidence and made me a much more well-rounded filmmaker,” Ramos said. “My professors helped set the foundation for me, and I was so supported and encouraged while making films at CBU.”