Here is a feature I wrote for CNN Photos. In this piece I interviewed photographer Gianmarco Maraviglia on his ‘Reindeer Police’ series, which he captured in the northernmost tip of Norway. The article discusses the role of the Reindeer Police and Maraviglia’s experience traveling and shooting in the region.
On Tuesday I spent my night (and the wee hours of Wednesday morning) covering the 2016 Presidential Election for CNN en Español. I was the jib operator for this programming, adding movement, wide shots, and group shots for the coverage.
Here is a short clip of my opening shot, starting the show:
This is a clip from a larger segment that aired on Anderson Cooper 360. I operate a variety of cameras for CNN, including Jib and robotic controlled pedestal cameras. Typically, I work on multi-camera productions for the network.
For this segment I was on a manual camera, mainly shooting singles and wider shots of the panel.
About a month and a half ago I began my wonderful new job as a Floor Director for CNN International. I am responsible for keeping things running smoothly in the studio. With this position, I will also be training and learning more about Technical Operations across the board for TV news production. So far this position has been wonderful and I’m looking forward to my continuing career journey at CNN.
The past year had some pretty pivotal moments for me. I turned 26, thrusting me over the far side of the mid-twenties hump. I also completed my MFA and moved from Tallahassee, Fl back to Atlanta. The year had its ups and downs, as they do, but overall there were some great moments and accomplishments.
Back in January, I started the spring semester of my second year of the MFA in Film Production at Florida State University. From here I would embark on four months of filming 12 hours a day, six days a week. I was also finishing my screenplay for my Thesis film, which as a sci-fi/comedy about Amish aliens, proved to have some difficulties, but I finally locked my script a week in. Continue reading
That’s right, I completed Nanowrimo and achieved my goal of writing 50,000 words toward my novel during November… in fact I wrote around 50,400. Though it’s only a competition against myself, it still feels good to be a winner.
Newly cleaned desk
When I first learned of National Novel Writing Month, it wasn’t something that initially interested me, though I had intended to write a novel at some point. I have written a number of short stories recently and planned to get some more practice in short form under my belt, but a couple of weeks ago it popped into my mind, why not now? Why put it off? NaNoWriMo seemed like a good excuse to push myself. So I have 50,000 to write by November 30, which equates to a short novel of around 175 pages, or about the length of The Great Gatsby. I more intend to just write a 50,000 chunk of a longer novel. Most of my work is science-fiction, which lends itself to longer lengths.
The title of my novel is Have You Heard From Tuesday?, a science-fiction story about two physicists who have just created time-travel and are learning how to use, the problems and dangers with it, and where it can be profitable. They must deal with their own morality and temptations along the way.
In preparation, I cleared off my desk. I’m pretty proud of myself (hence the photo) as it was previously unrecognizable as anything other than monsoon wreckage or a magazine stand for the past two years. I wish I had done more outline and research before I dove in on November 1st, but I had only decided to do NaNoWriMo about two weeks before the end of October, limiting my prep time. Under this circumstance, I’m using the month more as an exercise in disciplining myself as a writer and as a very rough, world-building draft for Have You Heard From Tuesday?. As part of the preparation stage I also used pacemaker.sewillia.com to create a writing calender, although I’ve already diverted from it and will have to update it with my current progress. Also, because I’m writing a book on time travel, which involves a lot of physics and science, I bought a number of books on the subject of time travel and other related science topics, which I will read as I go. The next draft will be more focused on getting the science right.
Graduation day!
My recent completion of the MFA Film Production program at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts in August has been a huge accomplishment in my educational career. I feel very lucky to have been brought into a program that only accepts 30 students a year among hundreds of applicants. The two year program was rigorous, to say the least, with year-round classes, hours and hours on set (12 hours a day), and being part of the crew and creative collaborator for my fellow students’ films. I’ve come out having directed three short films, written many screenplays, and with a varied skill set.
Now it’s time to get back out there and look for work. I am excited for this new venture. Before grad school I received my undergrad in journalism and worked as a production specialist and freelance editor. Having a variety of skills, including film production, video editing, journalism, creative writing, and design, I hope to find a job that will be a good fit for me and one that I can bring my many experiences.
Here’s the Q & A after my Dragon Con screening of Sovereignty for the Shoemaker with two other sci-fi filmmakers. Apologies for the poor quality.
Being a sucker for words, I have a tendency to break the rule of thumb and judge a film by it’s cover (well, title). Here’s a list of some of my favorite film titles that suckered me in, incidentally many of these are among my favorite films as well.
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