Filming and Editing Movies Becomes a Family Affair

By Tony Heaberlin
Tulsa Technology Center

For the Gassmann brothers, life at Tulsa Tech has prepared them for the future they have always wanted — owning their own film and editing company.

Wayne Gassmann, who is in the 3-D animation and design program, will complete his classes in May, while Josh Gassmann is in his first year of the website design program.

The brothers are three years apart and were recently featured on KTUL’s morning show segment “Cool School” for the public service announcement Wayne submitted featuring the local charity, Broken Arrow Neighbors. Wayne also entered the PSA in the Business Professionals of America video contest, held at OSU-Okmulgee and won. The PSA has been sent to next compete at the next level – the state competition. Second and third-place winners will receive scholarships for Tulsa Tech, and the grand prize winner receives a trip to New York to compete in the nationals.

Wayne believes that attending Tulsa Tech has been extremely beneficial to him and has equipped him with the necessary skills to create videos and improve his editing techniques.

“It’s been great!” he said. “The teachers and directors are incredible and the counselors have always been friendly and helpful.” After completing the 3-D animation program, he hopes to attend film school in either New York or Florida to study editing and directing.

 While older brother Wayne is finishing up his time at Tulsa Tech, younger brother Josh is just beginning.

In his first year in the website design program this home-schooled senior is enjoying the classroom environment where he is making connections with new people.

Josh plans to continue his education in the design program after he receives his high school diploma. “At Tulsa Tech you receive far more hands-on experience and the teachers work to give you projects for real clients. It’s not just hypothetical,” he said.

The Gassmanns have made film-making and attending Tulsa Tech a family tradition. According to Wayne, the youngest Gassmann brother, who is currently 13 years old, also plans to be involved in the family business and will enroll in classes at Tulsa Tech when he is old enough.

The film company the brothers hope to one day launch, tentatively titled Leviathan Studios, will produce original scripts and films as well as film and edit videos for weddings and other social events.