Growing up, I was a repurposer. My collection of things “new and improved” were built from junk collected around the house and even garbage; old boxes, a shoelace, anything I could get my hands on -- all to make something cool and unique. I have always loved creating things and trying to make something new.
I once had a history project for my 7th-grade class where the assignment was to make a model of a great invention in history for presentation. When it was my turn to present, I could not bring in my project, it was just too big to bring to school. Instead, I showed the class a video of me riding around on my full-scale chariot made from PVC, wood, and some old bike tires. Unfortunately, I did not have the budget for a horse (nor did we have a horse lying around the house), so instead I had my friends pull me around,
In high school, I thought engineering was my path and took four years of classes. I learned certain computer technologies, but the career path simply did not “feel right.” I wanted to dive deeper into visual arts. I always drew in my free time and love to visualize new things, create characters, and new worlds for them to inhabit through art. I then attended McFatter Technical College and obtained certificates in graphic design. My passion continued to grow and change. I began to paint and create through film.
At Full Sail University, I was allowed to continuously create. When we returned to live classes during the pandemic, my artistic expression began changing rapidly.
One of my instructors offered me the opportunity to write a short script with the chance it could be developed further into a movie. I began to write and write and write.
Ultimately, “Love Heist” was born and to my surprise, was selected by my colleagues as the script we would develop into a short movie. I stepped out of my comfort zone, applied to direct, and was chosen as the director of the film.
I was thrown into the thick of it fast. I adapted and changed. As a director, I stepped into every aspect of filmmaking and the entire creative process. Then, I realized “Love Heist” would not work without a circular bank vault door. With our limited budget, the only option was that it “had to” be built and I had to make it happen.
My engineering days in high school had paid off. With the skill set of engineering design, I was able to design, mill, and build the bank vault door.
Now, armed with a wide array of creative abilities and skills, I am ready for the next professional challenge.