Class of 2025: On film and in life, Darreon Barner sets a rich scene

By Joan Tupponce

Inspired by his passion for writing and the big-screen wonder of “The Lion King” and Marvel superhero movies, Darreon Barner hopes that filmmaking will fit into his life’s script. But he’s also not losing sight of his hometown roots and a new generation he can inspire.

A native of rural Brunswick County in south-central Virginia, Barner credits his fifth-grade English teacher with helping him tap into his writing abilities and creativity.

“My teacher told me I was one of the best young writers he had seen. That made me want to write, produce and direct movies,” said Barner, who is graduating this month from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Richard T. Robertson School of Communication with a mass communications degree with a concentration in media production. “I’ve always wanted to learn how the movies were made. I like being behind the scenes where I can see how everything is pieced together, brick by brick – like you are building a house.”

After high school, where he led the writing and production of a play focusing on youth drug addiction, Barner attended North Carolina A&T in Greensboro to study mass media production. After a year, he transferred to VCU, impressed with the school’s media production curriculum.

“Darreon is an excellent storyteller,” said Kaitlin Hanger, Ph.D., associate professor in the Robertson School, part of the College of Humanities and Sciences. “He has been particularly focused on meaningful topics that make excellent documentaries for organizations that I feel are important to the betterment of society. He has a real finesse for interviewing subjects and drawing out meaningful quotes for his films that become persuasive for the audiences that view them.”

In Richmond, Barner has interned for the local ABC and CBS affiliates, which offered valuable experience in operating cameras.

“I also got to write some news articles and interact with some of the reporters and anchors,” he said. “What I learned is that you have to put yourself out there. If there’s something you want to do, you have to ask for it.”

Hanger, who has taught Barner in two of her advanced video production classes, has been impressed by his quick growth and ability to tell consistently strong audio-visual stories.

“He listens to advice with thoughtfulness and implements strategies for improving his films, even when it means a great deal of additional work among his many other VCU and outside commitments,” Hanger said. “I have no doubt Darreon will continue to grow and be successful as a professional videographer and filmmaker.”

Barner has brought his passion and commitment to a number of other pursuits. This past summer, he worked as a camp staff member teaching riflery and archery. He also served as the evening programs coordinator in addition to being the social media intern. 

He also has volunteered with Brunswick County 4-H since 2022 as a teen counselor, leading classes and facilitating activities. 

“Last year I was a youth design team member for National 4-H Congress in Atlanta. I worked with nine teens from different states to help put the National Congress together,” Barner said.

He also works as a substitute teacher at Brunswick County Public Schools. After he graduates from VCU, he would like to return to his community and help start a class in media production for younger grades.

“I want to expose them to the software and equipment we use in the industry,” Barner said. “I want to tell our youth in my rural community that media production is a route you can go down for your career.”

As for filmmaking, Barner draws inspiration from filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry.

“He came from nothing and tried putting on plays,” Barner said. “Then one day, his ‘Madea’ film got all this attention, and look at him now.”

Barner, too, is thinking big – and hopes to see his screen life come full circle.

“My goal,” he said, “is to work with Marvel.”