“I made the decision to leave everything I knew behind.” -Emma Jane Murphy
I am drawn to stories. As a kid, I was constantly reading, watching movies, and going to the theatre—completely fascinated by how a story could sweep you away into another world. That sense of immersion stayed with me, and I knew early on that I wanted to be part of bringing stories to life. I thought acting was my path, but I quickly realized the auditioning lifestyle wasn’t where I thrived. Still, I knew I belonged in the storytelling process. That realization pushed me to pivot, gradually exploring production work and opening myself up to new experiences with every theatre and film project I joined.
I graduated from the University of Washington in 2024 with a BA degree in Drama: Performance and another in Cinema and Media Studies. I’m incredibly grateful for that foundation. Beyond technical knowledge, it taught me how to think critically about storytelling—understanding shot and story composition, genres, film and theatre history, and the collaborative nature of theatre and filmmaking. Those lessons continue to shape the way I approach my work today. Just as importantly, UW introduced me to a community of passionate, creative individuals and mentors who expanded my understanding of what a career in the arts, particularly in film, could look like. Warren Etheredge, in particular, had a lasting impact on me—encouraging me to dig deeper both as a creator and as an audience member, and instilling in me a lasting appreciation for short-form storytelling through his film festival, the Walla Walla Movie Crush.
In the nearly two years since graduating, I have worked across theatre, film, and live event production in a wide range of roles—front of house, stage management, assistant directing, and more. Each experience taught me something valuable, but I still felt like I hadn’t quite found where I fit. I realized that finding my place would require more than waiting—it would require a leap of faith.
About six months ago, I made the decision to leave everything I knew behind and move to Atlanta to pursue a career in film. It was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, and it has not come without challenges. But that decision reinforced something I am continuing to learn: growth in this industry requires stepping into the unknown, trusting yourself, and showing up even when the path is not clear.
Since arriving in August 2025, I’ve been taking classes through the Georgia Film Academy, saying yes to every opportunity I can, and—most importantly—building connections. In an industry like film, relationships are everything. The willingness to introduce yourself, learn from others, and stay curious can open doors you didn’t even know existed. As of March 2026, I’ve worked on nine projects of varying scale, and through those experiences, I’ve not only developed my skills but also begun to find where I truly belong.
I have found my place in the grip department. Before stepping onto set, I didn’t fully understand what grips did—but now I know it’s where I thrive. As a grip, I collaborate closely with the camera and lighting teams to shape light, build rigs, ensure safety on set, and a whole lot more. What draws me most to this work is the opportunity to support and elevate someone else’s vision. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about contributing behind the scenes to make a moment come to life on screen.
Two back-to-back projects in November 2025 solidified that passion. The first was my role as a grip/electric swing on a TV pilot, where I had the privilege of learning from experienced crew members who welcomed me and generously shared their knowledge. Shortly after, I stepped into the role of best boy grip on a SCAD thesis film, Into the Blue, traveling to Orlando, FL and Savannah, GA to help tell the story of Hazel Raines, the first female pilot in Georgia. Those two weeks were transformative—they deepened my understanding of how every department works together and showed me what it truly means to be part of a film set.
In just six months, I have begun to build a strong foundation of both skills and relationships. Recently, I was invited to be best boy on another SCAD project by a key grip I had previously worked with—proof that the connections you build and the effort you put in truly matter. This industry runs on trust, reputation, and persistence. The more you show up, work hard, and support others, the more opportunities seem to find you.
One thing I have learned is that a career in filmmaking is not built overnight. It is built through long days, consistent effort, meaningful relationships, and the courage to take chances on yourself. None of this would have been possible without the education and community I gained at UW, which gave me both the confidence and the foundation to step into this industry and keep moving forward.
Over the past several months, I have proven something important to myself: I belong on a film set. I belong in that fast-paced, collaborative, creative environment. There are few places where I feel as energized and fulfilled, and while I know there’s still so much to learn, I am excited to keep growing—continuing to take risks, build connections, and put in the work to turn this passion into a lifelong career.