Creating a Career
By Jessica Sharpe ‘03
Director of Community Engagement
Talk about a rising star. Cameron Squires ‘09 is already gaining global recognition for his screenwriting. He has been tapped to write on numerous successful and soon-to-be successful films and TV series.
Squires’ talent and drive were evident early. Growing up in the Midwest, he may not have had film and television in mind, but he excelled both academically and athletically. While a Canterbury student, Squires believed he would move on to the business or medical industry. He remembers his Canterbury days fondly, especially all the personalized attention that he received from faculty. His boundless creativity was fostered during his time at Canterbury and has thus created a foundation for his production of powerful work in the film and television field.
Squires believes that one should explore the process, rather than stick with your original impulses. Always chase that dream, the foundation has been set.
Why did you choose this area of study and career field?
If you would have told me going into my freshman year at Yale that I was going to be working in the film industry, I would have thought it was a joke. I quickly realized that the business world was not well suited for me. After taking a film studies class, I quickly redirected my passion and dove head first. The switch wasn’t entirely simple, but I am grateful I am in this industry.
Was there any program during your time at Canterbury that directed you to this career path?
The skills I developed while at Canterbury are priceless. The qualifications or diploma itself is of very little use. My success post-graduation has been determined primarily by the quality of my creative work, the foundation of which I built while at Canterbury. To pinpoint one particular program seems difficult, but I cannot help to think that my time spent writing and revising papers in high school has created the tools I needed to start this dream career.
What is your advice for fellow dream chasing Cavalier writers?
You’ll be judged on the quality of your creative work, more than any qualifications. But whether they continue reading beyond the first few pages has nothing to do with the qualification and everything to do with how much they like what they’re reading. The cliché is true: the more you write the better you get. It’s never too early to start networking, but make sure you have something to show people once they find out you’re a writer. Be mobile, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.
What is next for you?
I am thoroughly enjoying this space I am currently filling, as breaking into the writer’s room in this industry is not the easiest feat. Currently I am developing an animated pilot with HBO Max entitled, FENCE and I am also the Executive Story Editor for a new untitled STAR WARS series for Disney+. All in all, I want to continue to be a part of amazing endeavors and to tell stories I believe in.