Professor Boris Gavrilovic, an assistant professor of communication who teaches film at Centenary University, is widely recognized as a great leader, an excellent teacher, and a favorite among students. With teaching communication and film majors, he’s left a big impact on many students here at Centenary.

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Q: Why did you start teaching here?

A: Centenary was looking for someone to teach film, so I decided to check it out, and I’ve been here ever since.

Q: Tell me about your work prior to Centenary?

A: I’ve taught film on and off, worked in the industry, and still do. For a few years, I worked in New York City as a commercial photographer. 

Q: What interested you in film, and why did you make it a career?

A: When I was in high school, they were filming an Italian mini-series called The Fortunate Pilgrim outside my school. It featured Sophia Loren and included a mix of American actors, even though it was an Italian production. 

We had to build a set because, for some reason, the town that I grew up in did a fair share of movies. It was a western set, but it was a façade. It was just a set–the front of a building with nothing behind it.

It was interesting for us to see, but we must have annoyed them so much that, to get rid of us, they paid us to watch the vintage cars on set–like really old cars. They hired us and gave us a little money to keep us from bothering them and just sit by the cars. But honestly, I already liked movies before that.

Q: What kind of classes do you teach–and what is your favorite class to teach?

A: Production classes, but it depends on the students. I prefer teaching production when there are students who are actually eager to learn and work. But, if the class lacks passionate students, I’d rather teach something like theory.

Q: What differentiates Centenary’s film program from other schools? 

A: It’s small. Based on my experience, for whatever that’s worth, it’s small, so you get to really know everybody. I’ve taught in larger programs where your interactions depend on the courses you teach. You might only get to know and work closely with freshmen or, in some cases, sophomores. So you don’t get to see them for four years like you do here. You only know so many of them. 

In some schools, it’s such a big program that you only get to know a few students. Centenary’s small enough that you can get to know everybody. 

Q: For incoming film students, why should they choose Centenary’s program over other schools?

A: If you like small schools and enjoy getting to know the same people over four years, you get to know everyone on a different level–unlike a big program where you see one professor once and never see them again. I think Centenary might appeal to someone who prefers more hands-on and personal attention.

Not everyone likes giant schools with large classes. I can see both sides–there are things lacking here that bigger schools have, but they don’t offer that individual connection. Small schools have smaller budgets, so you won’t have the fancy equipment that large schools do, but what you do have is a relationship with the people here.

Q: Tell us something unexpected about you.

A: That I gave you this interview.