Over the years, I’ve dabbled in the field of video storytelling quite a bit and fell in love with it- not just “fell in love with it” as a hobby, but in more of a career way. However, I had no idea how diverse the world of filmmaking really is until I came to Marymount. For example, I hadn’t yet realized how incredibly vital audio is to any visual story. I found the audio portrait especially interesting because I had never worked on a piece that was strictly sound. I have gained such a strong appreciation for sound editors; there are so many layers and it can be very overwhelming at times.

This class opened my eyes to what New York City really is. No, it isn’t the magical place that all movies make it out to be, but I do still agree that it is the greatest city in the world, despite all of its quirks and setbacks. One of the aspects of this magical concrete jungle that amazes me most is how individualistic every person walking on the sidewalk is. This semester, I fell in love with the concept of strangers; everyone is here for a reason, living their life and doing what they’re meant to be doing. Nobody lives in New York City, pays this ridiculously expensive rent and puts up a raging sea of people on their daily commute for no reason. The people here all have a purpose, and I want to find out what that is.

Ultimately, I’ve learned that I produce my best work when its something I care about. I want to continue telling visual stories, not just about New York, but about anything and everything. I am hopeful for my future.