Finding Community: Q&A with Samara Dolinsky
Written by Alexis Moore (she/her) // Contributing Writer
Visuals by KC Stringer (he/him) // Contributing Visuals
In a world so centred around the nine to five grind, artistic work is often overlooked and the arts are seen as one of the more unserious industries. I had the opportunity to interview Samara Dolinsky (she/her), a third year Motion Picture Arts (MOPA) student at Capilano University, on the topic of feeling out of place. I asked Samara about her experiences of foreignness, not only as an artist, but as a student, and how she finds community and connection with her classmates.
Alexis
What makes you feel out of place?
Samara
The first thing I think of with “foreign” is living in Vancouver. Because I come from the [Vancouver] Island and also being a film student, it feels like we always have to sort of, not justify the degree, but it feels a little bit different, sometimes. It feels like you don’t have the same lifestyle as the other people living around you.
Alexis
I am also a MOPA student so I understand that. Does it ever feel like other people might have expectations of you that your degree doesn’t allow you to fill?
Samara
That’s a really interesting question. I feel like with this degree, no one really knows what to expect with this idea of film school, unless you’re in the industry. [But] in high school, it’s kind of hard to know what you’re getting into. So I feel like there is definitely this idea of what you’re supposed to achieve in Vancouver, and the way things play out in life look different than how you would expect them to. I would assume if someone’s going to medical school or becoming a doctor there is kind of a Hollywood idea of what that would look like and I’m sure the actual thing is completely different. So, I feel that a lot.
Alexis
It seems like you’re saying that you feel out of place as someone in the arts when a lot of careers don’t focus around the arts?
Samara
Yeah, like with the idea of AI and stuff, it does feel a little bit like, obviously everyone is worried about the artists, but when you actually are the artist, it is kind of a lonely feeling. That’s how I would equate it.
Alexis
It almost feels like there are societal expectations that people outside of the industry try to put on artists. Sounds like you’re saying that there is a different perspective that you have on a lot of things when you are a student in the arts?
Samara
Yeah. I would say it’s a more dynamic experience. But I guess you could say that about anything. In Vancouver, there is definitely a feeling of being a little bit removed. When you are an artist you kind of remove yourself from the world’s experiences and you’re like, “Wow, there’s so much going on. I’m just sitting here watching it.” But that’s not necessarily true, because you are a person and you are doing things.
Alexis
When it comes to being a student in Motion Picture Arts, are there ever times where you feel out of place in the presence of your own classmates?
Samara
I would say, yes and no. There’s definitely an idea, and a stereotype, and you can sort of stick out if you aren’t that specific way, [but] I’m sure that’s the same way for a lot of industries. There’s just a look that a lot of people will have. But in MOPA or within our program, I definitely feel like I don’t stick out that much. It just feels like there’s a lot of people that might feel that way. You know, yeah I might feel different, but I’m sure everyone else also feels different.
Alexis
Is there a lot of talk about that in the program? Is there a lot of connection over that, or do you think it’s more of an isolating experience to each individual student?
Samara
Oh, that’s kind of a hard question. I can see how it would be very isolating. But I think I’ve been really lucky to have people and friends, where I don’t feel that way. The actual way that events play out in classrooms, I could very much see that being very isolating for people.
Alexis
Would you say having a close group of friends has helped you throughout the degree?
Samara
Yeah, I would say for sure. It’s definitely something that has helped. I guess community is just always the answer. But there’s a lot of angles. Even in Capilano [University], the Bosa Centre [for Film and Animation] is a little bit removed from the rest of the campus, so even in that, there is a feeling of foreignness, so you kind of have to make and hang on to your friends in that little circle.
Alexis
Yeah, it’s like a different world over there. Do you have any advice for people who don’t have their community yet at school, and how to find a good group of people to fall back on?
Samara
I would say, just be nice to people and be friendly. I was just kind of lucky. I made friends. But definitely reaching out and actively trying to find people and actively talking to people is how I found people with common interests. It’s just being really vocal about what you like and who you like and what you want to do, and then people will hear you and come to you.
Alexis
Do you have anything you would like to say before we close it up?
Samara
Free Palestine.
Alexis
Yes! Free Palestine. Thank you so much.
People of CapU in Dialogue is a segment that celebrates the casual depth of members in our university community. If you know someone you find interesting or special that would like to interview email managing.editor@capilanocourier.com