Tell me a bit about yourself. What are you studying? What drew you to CMS? Was there a specific movie or moment that sparked it for you? What makes studying film valuable, in your opinion?
I was really lucky to attend a high school that had an amazing media arts program, so when I was 18, I knew that wherever I ended up, I was going to study film. While I know that my career will be mainly production-focused, I think studying film has been a very valuable experience because it has greatly improved my filmmaking skills and allowed me to see different possibilities of what kind of films I can create. I’ve learned through the cinema and media studies major that there are so many critical choices that go into making a movie compelling. Learning that has absolutely made my work more intentional and meaningful to me, and hopefully, the people watching my films.
Your most recent project, Second Wind, was a LUX Production Club first in music. Tell me more about this short film.
I knew immediately after A Letter to 20 came out that I wanted to make a film about music because music has been as important to me as filmmaking, and I knew I wanted to make the first LUX film with an original soundtrack. Being able to combine my loves of music and film has been such a rewarding experience because they have both been my main creative and emotional outlets. Especially writing the two original songs with my friends Kyli, Lora, and Ty Kemple, that will be out on streaming platforms at some point this winter. I’m not sure when the film itself will be released yet because we are still submitting it to festivals, but I am really looking forward to sharing it with the general public because I am so immensely proud of it. I am so thankful that I got to work with some incredibly talented people and that I got to create something that will always have a special place in my heart.
You’re involved with LUX as a Co-President, you’re entering your film into festivals, and you’ve got a lot on your plate. How do you stay inspired and avoid burnout?
Making time to do at least one fun, relaxing activity a week has really helped me avoid burnout because it gives me motivation to get through the week. That usually includes cooking a new recipe with my boyfriend, going on walks around Greenlake, playing guitar, or painting my nails. I think there is a lot of power in being able to look forward to something and creating happiness for yourself, especially as we are entering into the 4:00 pm sunset season.
Do you feel like this generation of filmmakers has a unique voice or responsibility in film?
I absolutely feel like we have a unique voice and responsibility in film because of the experiences and historical events my generation has been shaped by. We all lived through a global pandemic, a lot of us have experienced some kind of climate disaster, our lives have been impacted by gun violence one way or another, and we are currently living in a completely unpredictable political climate. I think we have a responsibility to keep creating despite all of the obstacles that we have collectively faced, and I think we need to use the pain and grief caused by these hardships to inspire our work. Additionally, I think my generation has a really unique opportunity to give voice to those who have historically been voiceless in the filmmaking industry. While I can’t help but feel a lot of existential dread about the future, there is also a part of me who is excited to see what we create and how we leave our mark on the industry.
Any advice from your past years as a CMS major?
I have two pieces of advice for future or current CMS majors. One, lean into the niche classes. I didn’t think that leaving this major, the history of silent cinema was going to be one of my favorite classes, but I went in with an open mind and absolutely loved it. Two, add a minor or double major that complements your CMS degree, if you have the time for it. I feel that my minor in history has strengthened my media analysis, and the history classes I have taken have given me inspiration for future films. I have a goal to write and direct a period piece at some point in my life.