Ok, so back in June, his eminence Shaquille O’Neal shared with the world his retirement from the NBA, and his plans to conquer Hollywood next!

But rest your fears of sequels to Kazaam, or Steel, because the man is apparently much less interested in acting, and instead wants to direct. He reportedly is about to graduate from New York Film Academy’s Filmmaking Conservatory (NYFA) where he’s been receiving private instruction in directing and cinematography. He’s already shot some material on the Universal Studios back lot, done with classmates from New York Film Academy’s hands-on filmmaking program.

Ok, so it’s the NYFA, not NYU. No offense to NYFA students or grads; I didn’t attend either, but amongst film schoolers, the NYFA isn’t exactly highly-regarded, especially when compared to its costs. Not my POV, so don’t jump all over me.

Regardless, Shaq is graduating from there.

On the NYFA’s school blog, Shaq is praised by staff and fellow students who say that he has been “incredibly humble, funny, and likable and that it has been a thrill having him study with the academy.“

“Why act when you can direct, right?” Shaq said while on the set of his graduating student film (image above of him giving directions).

It’s easy to find humor in all of this, but I’d say he certainly appears to be taking this all very seriously, so we’ll see what develops over time. He’s got the name, and definitely the money to do with as he pleases…