Student Profile: McClain Portis

McClain Portis (’18) is a self-taught filmmaker who, rather than resting on his latest success, pours his efforts and focus into bettering himself. This is a constant theme in his life, manifesting not only in film making, but in school and track, as well. A driven individual, he constantly focuses on his next goal: “I think I’ve got a pretty good chance.” It’s a statement about beating the MBA high jump and triple jump records, but is really a reflection of the optimism, determination, and hard work that seem to define McClain.
 

MBA, he says, has provided him with support and encouragement, not only in the classroom and on the track, but in relation to his film making, as well. When asked, he rattled off a list of teachers who have seen his progression in videography and mentions their support, whether in providing feedback and opportunities to share his work, or helping him have access to football video when he wasn’t able to attend a game. “But I’d say the biggest thing that MBA has done was connect me with all my friends.  It just made me so close with them.” Community and friendship are recurring themes in his life and projects. He has been able to recruit those friends to help with his entrepreneurial projects from an early age, whether by selling artwork to passers-by or by starring in his videos.

McClain is taking the lessons learned at MBA with him as he looks forward. “I’m applying for film school,” he says. Added to that is a hope to participate in track, as well.  He enjoys the sport, something that is obvious from the way he talks about it, and is balancing his career and athletics.  It’s a balance he knows well from his time at MBA, where, he acknowledges, success takes a lot of hard work.