The communication arts and sciences department has announced the hiring of a new professor. Geert Heetebrij will join the faculty next fall to the excitement of students and faculty alike.
Heetebrij, who is originally from the Netherlands, graduated from Calvin in 1993 with degrees in art and philosophy. From there he went to the Los Angeles Film Studies Program and then on to work in Hollywood.
“Ideally someone teaching production ought to have production experience, and Geert has that in droves,” says Dr. Carl Plantinga, a longtime Calvin film studies professor. Heetebrij has worked in the L.A. area for over 20 years, working in all facets of production from directing to editing to producing to story editing.
“That’s a wealth of experience he’ll be able to use to be a really excellent teacher here,” says Plantinga.
Over time, Heetebrij discovered his true passion was screenwriting. In 2002 he wrote and produced a feature film called “A Foreign Affair” (later renamed “2 Brothers and a Bride”), which made it into the Sundance Film Festival.
After working for several years in independent filmmaking, producing numerous documentaries and other programs, Heetebrij went to UCLA, where he earned an M.F.A. in screenwriting while teaching undergraduates.
“What I enjoy about teaching is to help students find their voice,” says Heetebrij, “At the end of the day, that’s what sets you apart from everybody else. Everybody has a unique voice, but not many people know their own voice.”
Heetebrij says he looks forward to teaching at his alma mater, and perhaps the only people more excited than him are his future fellow faculty members.
“He’s got experience, and he’s very serious about his work. He’s very ambitious,” says professor Sam Smartt, who has taught media production at Calvin for two years. “I think he’s going to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to quality media production coming from this program.”
“He came from Calvin, so he knows the culture, and he knows what you need for media production because he’s been living in the Hollywood area,” adds Jake Bosmeijer, professor and chief engineer in the CAS department.
The hire is a relief to faculty and students in the department, who have been working short-handed since the departure of media production professor Brian Fuller in 2013.
“When Brian resigned it left a hole in our department and also lead to some rumors about Calvin phasing out production,” says Plantinga. “I think this will put all those rumors to rest and we’ll be back at full strength.”
Smartt agrees that many people have gotten the wrong impression about the department since Fuller’s departure, and adds that this is an exciting time for the program.
“Those of us that are really on the ground floor know that especially over the last two years, a lot of really good things have happened, and the only direction is up, and [Heetebrij] is the next part of that.”
Bosmeijer adds, “I think in these next couple of semesters you’ll see some great things happening.”
Heetebrij will be moving to Grand Rapids this summer along with his wife and four children, and will also be making an appearance at the media showcase on May 14.
On returning to his Calvin after all these years, Heetebrij says, “I’m coming home.
Correction: This article originally stated that professor Geert Heetebrij was hired by the CAS film and media department. This is incorrect. He was hired by the communication arts and sciences department.
