Although Chris Champeau, Bay Port 2007, loves his career as a director, editor, and visual effects artist based out of California, he has never forgotten his Wisconsin roots. After attending The Los Angeles Film School, Chris has worked in just about every part of filmmaking over the years. Recently, he was recognized for editing a new documentary titled “Nothing but a Winner” - which tells the University of Alabama football story.
Chris didn’t always have his sights set on working in the film industry. Before college, his main focus was athletics and swimming. “I’ve found that the kind of dedication and work ethic it takes to succeed in athletics can be applied to just about anything,” said Chris. “Once you figure out how to channel that same drive into a different passion—whether it’s film or something else—you put yourself in a position to succeed.”
He believes that his time at Bay Port and growing up in Wisconsin set the foundation for who he is today. “It wasn’t just the academics—it was the combination of education, community, and social experiences that shaped me,” said Chris. “One of the biggest takeaways was learning how to think critically. I don’t credit that to any single class or teacher, but to the overall approach to education there. It taught me how to find the information I need, process it quickly, and apply it in a way that gets results. Those skills—developed as a young adult there—are a huge reason I’ve been able to keep pace in such a fast-moving industry and have success.”
Chris was a three-sport athlete at Bay Port, but also participated in band, and tried classes like machine shop, graphics and screen printing, and video production. He worked on stage crew in the theater, took journalism, and signed up for multiple AP classes. Chris would offer this piece of advice for students: “Yes, high school is about education and setting yourself up for the future, but it’s also about discovering who you are,” said Chris. “Try everything you can while you’re there—you never know what will shape you.”
