Robert Duffin

Student

“This will be a cleaner world. But there are going to be some real battles in the energy companies over the next 50 years.”

What Robert Duffin calls “fun” these days is his five-year-old son. “He’s a bit of a performer, I’m afraid. Just like his old dad.” And “old dad” is currently busy studying physics at SMC to ensure that his son will have a good world to grow up in. “I hope to be working in a lab, and then go on for my Ph.D,” says Robert. “I plan to study alternative forms of energy and new materials, possibly in the fusion-related side of things.”

Robert was born in Eton, England, and moved on to London, Ireland, and Holland before arriving here in 1980. “So I feel I’ve got the travel bug out of me,” he says. He’s worked in film for 12 years “lighting sets and doing gigs as camera operator and photographer. My last experience was a documentary done for the BBC,” he continues. “We interviewed Francis Ford Coppola about the cameraman who filmed the Godfather series.” Though he says “I’ll never leave film altogether,” Robert has decided that he wants a “much more solid career.”

And why SMC? “It’s the high transfer rate here that you can’t beat,” he says. “But it’s also the higher standards and enthusiasm. And the breeze; there’s a bit of wind here as well. It makes people feel more up.” Robert also tutors 20 hours a week in the Math lab, which he calls “a wonderful and uplifting interchange.” And he definitely enjoys trotting out the occasional story on film lore and legend, including his own beginnings. His first job turned out to be a commercial filmed in the redwoods. “And there were those two young models in the spot. Let me think: what were their names? Ah yes. Daryl Hannah and Rachel Ward.” Welcome to America, Bob.

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