![\"Makadsi\"](\"http:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Makadsi.jpg\")
<\/a>Makadsi<\/p><\/div>Makadsi\u2019s passion for fashion began long before he left the University. Inspired by top clothing designers and the artists who create the images that promote their work, his film class projects often combined his love of photography and art design with his obsession with fashion. Some of his non-class student projects involved fashion design installations, such as one he helped create for a Student Filmmakers Showcase after-party. The party theme and d\u00e9cor essentially comprised an art installation that was film and fashion-based.<\/p>\n
He gave credit to his UT teachers as instrumental in his success. He said it was important to have \u201cteachers like Holly [Hey], who convinced me to major in film. I learned a lot of great things, editing and the software tools, and also a lot about other filmmakers.\u201d <\/p>\n
He added that the intimacy of the program meant \u201chaving teachers who pay attention to you. Holly really saw something in me and inspired me.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the UT film program presented Makadsi with opportunities to branch out to explore other artistic venues, it also allowed him to develop his fashion aesthetic on a deeper level. <\/p>\n
\u201cI did a film for Tammy\u2019s [Kinsey] class and other classes that leaned toward that vibe, toward that genre. If I was asked to do something different, I would, but they would also let me express my passion,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not to say they weren\u2019t strict and hard, because they were. But they let me do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another critical aspect of the program was that the technology was up-to-date and readily accessible. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything was so hands-on,\u201d Makadsi said. \u201cThe equipment was available all the time. So we always were able to develop an idea that was in our heads.\u201d <\/p>\n
Clearly, Makadsi made the most of it. <\/p>\n
Holly Hey, UT associate professor of film, concurred: \u201cAndrew was one of the hardest-working students that I ever taught. He set the bar high in my classes, and his work combined excellent technique, complicated storytelling, and emotional honesty. He epitomizes hard work, making the most of opportunity by showing up, giving it your all, and being a generous collaborator.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was his collaboration with other artists in New York that created the opportunities for work and projects that brought him recognition. Over time, free projects led to paid gigs and eventually full-time work. <\/p>\n
Makadsi said he never wanted to settle into any one area of the industry, which is what intrigued him about art direction. One of his major full-time jobs was with Industrial Color, a creative production and post-production house; it was there that he learned he enjoyed the full spectrum of art direction. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would shoot images, do productions, and I realized that I should be an art director, then I could be involved in so many different things not just one thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In his fashion work, Makadsi has done work for top designers, including Alexander Wang<\/a>, Chanel<\/a>, Dolce & Gabbana<\/a>, Louis Vuitton<\/a>, Sephora<\/a>, Levi\u2019s<\/a> and others. <\/p>\n His work in fashion drew the attention of music artists who were looking for new ideas for videos and tour concepts. He has worked with Kanye West<\/a>, Jay Z<\/a>, Swedish House Mafia<\/a>, Big Sean<\/a> and others, most notably Beyonc\u00e9, starting from the On the Run Tour until Lemonade <\/em>and the Formation World Tour. He has created the art direction for many of her videos, tour visuals and promotions. Initially, Makadsi said he worked on a few projects and now works for her full time \u201ckeeping everything that goes out about her on-brand, from little things to the big things. I\u2019m part of an amazing team. They are just the most creative people.\u201d <\/p>\n Hey said, \u201cI am so happy for Andrew’s success, but I am not at all surprised by it. It was clear to me that he knew what he wanted when he graduated, and that it was really all about how hard he pursued it, working his first jobs without pay, meeting people, making connections, and collaborating with artists in film, fashion, music videos and photography.\u201d<\/p>\n Makadsi has some advice for film students: \u201cFollow your instinct and the voice within, but make sure you work hard. Talent is 20 to 30 percent of what makes you a good filmmaker and artist. But having the discipline and working hard makes the biggest difference.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n He also advised students to get lots of internships and to prepare to be rejected. \u201cI have been rejected from the silliest and dumbest internships. Don\u2019t let it get you down.\u201d <\/p>\n Makadsi added that whether it\u2019s paid work or internships or free work, it should include \u201chaving a new challenge every day, having a job that teaches you and takes you to a new level.\u201d<\/p>\n He also encouraged students to be strong self-promoters on social media: \u201cSo many people have been hired off Instagram and Tumblr. Be natural. Have [your online portfolio] be a reflection of you and your image. People will want to hire you based on your work and who inspires you. They hire you based on your vision, especially in my industry. Never settle. Even if you think you\u2019re happy with it. Never get too comfortable. Always take it to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Beyonc\u00e9, Jay Z, Kanye West, Swedish House Mafia \u2014\u00a02010 UT graduate Andrew Makadsi has worked with them all and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,6,7,51],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40253"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40253"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40388,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40253\/revisions\/40388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}