Feature Stories
Dustin Foster, '03
Dustin Foster, ‘03 came to Grand Valley on a theater scholarship from Edwardsburg High School. At the time, he wanted to study improvisation. However, it didn’t take him long to discover the film program.
“I loved how intimate the classes were and how tightly knit the film community felt on campus,” Foster said.
Discovering the film & video program was one of Foster’s greatest endeavors during his time at Grand Valley.
Foster recognized that GVSU was growing at a fast rate, but he never felt overwhelmed by its growth. One of his fondest GVSU memories was winning a grant to complete his senior thesis. He received his Bachelor of Science in Communications – Film & Video in 2003.
After graduation, Foster decided he needed to branch out of West Michigan for a few years.
“I needed to experience the larger markets to be trained, to be tested and to shoot for the stars, “Foster said about leaving the Grand Rapids area.
He and a friend decided to move to Chicago. They knocked on doors and introduced themselves to receptionists. They sent a few emails, but emphasized on a lot of face-to-face time, which worked for their benefit. He landed an internship as an assistant editor working on shows for The Travel Channel, Discovery, HARPO and Nick Jr. He spent many nights by himself organizing and prepping edit sessions for the six editors on staff. He also found himself cutting for major agencies and brands, such as Kellogg’s, Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Lexus. He spent the next nine years editing and cutting in Chicago and teaching at Columbia College.
After several years working and gaining experience in Chicago, Foster knew it was time to return to Michigan. He did a short stint at a small shop in the Lansing area until the time was right for him to branch out on his own.
It was a whirlwind of a journey to land the job as partner, editor and colorist for Chop & Hue of Grand Rapids. Foster feels that although it might seem cliché, he did not choose his career path – his career path chose him.
“It’s a highly creative environment filled with telling multiple stories in so many ways. Plus you get a more casual setting in the office,” he said.
He partnered up with motion designer Daniel Wiltshire and created Chop & Hue in Grand Rapids. On a day-to-day basis, Foster creates digital content for broadcast, web and other mediums.
“It’s all about relationships and staying ahead of the curve,” said Foster.
His job demands that he stay on top of pop culture, current trends and study the work of other editors, directors and colorists. He collaborates with agencies and marketing teams to bring their brand message to life.
“[It is] not always glitz and glamour and that’s an important thing to accept. But every project gets a little piece of my style in it, and that is why I love doing it.”
Foster has remained close with his former professors from Grand Valley whom he feels have become true friends. They have helped him stay motivated to want to give back. He also finds inspiration from his family.
“Having a supportive family that believes I am making the right decision to start my own company in Grand Rapids has been the absolute key to my success,” Foster explained.
Foster has high hopes for his small business to grow over time. He also wants to help increase awareness about how filmmaking can help West Michigan excel.
“Sure we are a great and beautiful destination to bring movies in for filming, but there are so many other layers that are ripe and vibrant. My vision is to do what Chicago or New York did, and that is to build a great post production boutique that is a true resource for filmmakers and companies that want to constantly shoot for the stars with us,” said Foster.
Foster, his wife and twin daughters live in Ada, Michigan.
Updated January 2015
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