On-Set Experience
Being at USC, I’m blessed with an incredible environment to produce & create many individually-ran short films, while simultaneously being able to assist my friends & peers in the creation of their own. I have contributed to several sets crafting films of various genres on USC’s industry-replica sound stages & out & about in different interiors & exteriors across LA. I love obtaining different kinds of experience in various areas from set to set, & plan on continuing to do so for as long as I possibly can!
Europa
Art PA
Sony Pictures Entertainment Project
Europa is by far & away one of the coolest sets I’ve been able to work on. We’re currently still in the post-production process, & therefore I can’t yet say much about the project as a whole; I can’t wait to share more about how amazing my experience with Sony has been when the project is released to the public! I got to work very closely with the art & costume teams & also as a runner on set, & I truly value the professional experience this set gave me - it will hold a special place for me always!
Something in the Woods
Director of Photography, Art Director, Colorist
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 310 Junior Thesis Film
Something in the Woods was Written and Directed by my friend Sparrow Nicole and produced and edited by another friend Julian Barahona Rhi. The three of us have had the pleasure of working together on each of our junior thesis films during my fall semester as a junior at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to have worked with both of them. This film in particular was very challenging for me as a Videographer as it was mostly shot outdoors at night; something I was more unfamiliar with at the time. However, we pushed through, collaborated very consistently, and were all very happy with the way everything turned out! Forever fond of my trio and will continue to look back on this semester with much pride and love in my heart.
Labor of Love
Producer, Editor
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 310 Junior Thesis
Labor of Love is another incredible film that I had the pleasure of producing and editing for my good friend Julian Barahona-Rhi, with DP Sparrow Nicole. It was certainly one of the most challenging films I’ve helped create - there were many safety and intimacy points throughout that I learned to tackle as a producer and I’m especially grateful for the lessons I learned throughout this particular production. It was very cool being able to work with an intimacy coordinator for the first time, and even cooler getting to edit what became our final product. Truly a unique and rewarding project and a great way to wrap out our semester of trio junior theses!
“Chore” Official Music Video
1st Assistant Camera
Silverdeer Official Music Video
I was brought onto the “Chore” Music Video by my friend and former coworker Emma Holabird, who directed (and did a wonderful job might I add!) Silverdeer is a band made up of two best friends who like to write about the trials and tribulations of love, loss, and growing up in a modern-day world. “Chore” was a unique take on this with a clever artistic vision - getting to work on the videography side of the whole thing felt like anything but a chore (apologies for the pun), and was worth any challenges that came our way. Very happy and honored to have been a part of the project and so excited by the results!
Just Friends
2nd Assistant Director
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 480 Senior Thesis
We shot Just Friends this past spring for SCA’s undergrad senior thesis program! I had the privilege of joining 1st AD Autumn Bryant as a right-hand man and had such a blast doing so. The film itself took a comedic approach to the awkwardness of friends-to-lovers arcs that many of us experience throughout high school - but more than anything, the set itself was so much fun to be a part of! Another fabulous 480 experience!
1st Assitant Camera
Haute Magazine Issue 10 Theme Reveal
USC Haute Magazine Official Video
Shooting for a highly anticipated event - the reveal of the theme for Haute Magazine’s semesterly issue - was incredibly fun! This was certainly challenging however in the assistant camera realm mostly due to the first portion of the video, which was filmed entirely underwater. The DP had very strong communication & were able to push through many obstacles, though, despite the difficulties we came across! Ultimately it was such a rewarding experience & made for an incredibly unique & positively impressionable Spring 2024 Theme Reveal.
I Have Some Thoughts
Art PA, Set Decorator, PA/ Runner
Freelance Out-of-School Short Film
Directed by legendary editor and filmmaker Taylor Engel, I Have Some Thoughts was a brief summer project that shot over the course of a few weekends. We were tasked with some pretty challenging set decorations, as we had to transform a corporate office bathroom into a Mexican restaurant theme. While short but sweet, it was such an honor getting to meet a creator as talented and knowledgeable as Taylor, and a huge shoutout to good friend and classmate Cecilia Mou for inviting me onboard!
Birdie
Production Sound Head
Student-Lead Independent Project
Birdie was written & directed by a close friend of mine from USC - Mason Deaver. It centers around a young LGBTQ+ runaway struggling to make ends meet & places a particular focus on his identity & the troubles that may come with it. I spent most of my time on set as the lead boom operator & sound coordinator. It was such a special piece to shoot & taught me how much more fun it can be to create meaningful pieces of work surrounded by people you know & love.
Amos’ Bride
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 480 Senior Thesis
Amos’ Bride was a larger-scale short film produced by mentor, fellow student, cinema mentor, & good friend, Gabriella Diaz. It was my first time shooting on one of USC’s many soundstages, which in & of itself already made for such an incredible experience. The film was a thriller that focused on a cult-like community led by a power-hungry abuser in which two young teens are planning their escape. We built an entire shed for interior scenes & spent lengthy weekends working on crafting the perfect shots. I spent a day as a script supervisor, communicating directly with the Director & DP to keep things flowing smoothly, & spent the other weekends as a Grip, helping out with lighting setups & achieving desired on-screen looks. The final product of the film was absolutely stunning.
Script Supervisor, Grip
Lemons Loop
Lead Actress, Assistant Camera
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 290 Creative Project
Lemons Loop was a very personal & cathartic project written & directed by my best friend & roommate, Maizy Zenger. I had the privilege of not only helping her map out some of the shots for the film but also getting to perform in the short as one of the two main characters alongside my good friend Chloe Rankin. As a partially “retired” performer, it was certainly a lot of fun to be able to work in front of the camera again - something I haven’t gotten to do so much since Freshman year!
Till’ Death
Production Sound Head
Student-Lead Independent Project
I was brought onto Till’ Death quite deep into the process by my good friend & very talented filmmaker Jiayang Liu, who served as the project’s DP. Not only did the film tell quite a heartbreaking story, but being on set surrounded by fellow students & friends made it all the more worthwhile. Not to mention, I was also crowned with the title of Sound Head due to my many areas of assistance - it was an honor!
Teenhood
Grip, PA
Student-Lead Independent Project
Teenhood was a personal project written & directed by my good friend & peer Jiayang Liu. Very early on in the film’s conception, we had agreed that he’d let me help on set, as it meant a lot to both him & me to be able to lend a hand! We filmed on a beautiful family ranch in Malibu where we made many furry friends (as pictured above :)) & experienced a challenging, but ultimately incredibly educational & highly rewarding weekend!
A Part from Us
Student-Lead Independent Project
A Part From Us was written & directed by fellow Brit & good friend from USC, Daniella Rapahel. It takes a look at themes of heavy unrequited love & struggles with self-love, coupled with the complications of finding your place in the world within the LGBTQ+ community. I had a lot of fun on set as a boom operator & coordinator of all things sound & was also able to assist my friend in the casting process while we ran through auditions & callbacks & selected our main cast members. This set will always hold a place in my heart as one of my first independent sets, & I was so proud to see what our small group of friends were able to accomplish.
Sound Lead, Assitant Casting Director
Twisted in Time
USC SCA Official Film - CTPR 310 Junior Thesis
Twisted in Time was so much fun to be a part of. Directed by student & friend Lexi Howard & shot by Gabriella Diaz, we all pulled together on a very tight schedule to create a colorful, cheeky, fun result. The film focuses on an awkward teen who uses her friend’s newly invented pocket-sized time machine to try & impress a boy she likes. We shot in a gorgeous local cinema, on set at USC’s Robert Zemeckis Center, & in a few other places off campus. I spent time assisting with lighting setups & electrical systems, while also serving as an extra set of hands, mostly to the DP.
