Throughout my time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), I’ve had the chance to grow not just as a filmmaker, but also as a storyteller and media creator. My journey at UIUC has shown me that my path in life is not defined by what others expect from me but by my passion for media and film. It’s been a journey that started in high school and grew stronger through my classes and hands-on experiences.

In high school, I discovered my love for YouTube, Twitch, and gaming videos. These platforms gave me a way to escape the pressures of what my family wanted for me. At first, my parents wanted me to follow in their footsteps and join their catering business, but I found that my heart was elsewhere. While I did well in culinary school, a part of me always felt more drawn to media creation. The rise of social media during the pandemic—especially seeing creators like MrBeast rise to fame and the success of platforms like TikTok—made me realize that digital content creation was a real career that could shape my future. These moments solidified my dream of becoming a creator and filmmaker.

This realization pushed me to change my focus from culinary arts to media production. I enrolled at UIUC to study Media and Cinema Studies, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The courses I took here gave me the tools and skills I needed to pursue my passion for filmmaking and storytelling. One of the first classes I took was MACS 150, Introduction to Digital Media Production. In this class, I learned the basics of creating digital content. This class taught me how to create videos, how to use editing software, and how to connect with an audience through platforms like YouTube and TikTok. I learned both the creative and technical sides of media production, and by the end of the class, I had a better understanding of how to make content that could attract viewers online.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the class. I had used YouTube to create videos before, but those were mostly for fun. I didn’t know much about the technical side of filming and editing. However, this class opened my eyes to how much goes into making a video. We learned about different types of shots, the importance of lighting, and how to record clean audio. I was amazed by how something as simple as adjusting the camera angle or adding a soundtrack could completely change the feel of a video. By the end of the semester, I felt more confident in my ability to create content that could stand out online. I even created a short video project for a class that received praise from both my peers and the professor.

After MACS 150, I took MACS 260, Film Production. This class helped me learn about the more technical aspects of filmmaking, such as how to shoot a film, set up lights, and record sound. I worked on a group project where I had to apply these skills to create a short film. It showed me how much work goes into making a film, and I learned how important it is to work as a team. In this class, I also discovered how films use things like camera angles, lighting, and sound to tell stories in a way that goes beyond words. The experience taught me how every detail in a film is important to creating the right mood and feeling for the audience.

I remember the first time I had to set up a camera for a shot. I didn’t realize how many adjustments were necessary just to get the right frame. It was not just about pointing the camera and hitting the record. We had to make sure the lighting was perfect, the actors were in the right positions, and everything in the background made sense for the story. Working in a group on this project taught me that filmmaking is not a solo effort. Every person involved, from the director to the sound technician, plays a vital role in making a film successful. It was amazing to see how everyone’s contributions came together in the final product.

Before diving into scriptwriting, I took RHET 101, Creative Writing, a class that helped shape my creative input and thinking. Although this class wasn’t specifically about film or media, it played a huge role in developing my ability to express my ideas through words. RHET 101 taught me how to approach writing in a way that allowed for more creativity and imagination. We explored how to write in different voices, structure compelling stories, and refine our ideas to make them clearer and more engaging. This was key when I moved into scriptwriting, as it gave me the tools to think outside the box and develop characters and dialogue that would connect with an audience.

I also learned how to take feedback and use it to improve my work, which helped me grow as a writer. One of the biggest lessons was learning how to shape a story with a strong beginning, middle, and end. This class encouraged me to experiment with different styles and perspectives, which is exactly what I needed before moving on to scriptwriting. It helped me break free from my initial, more basic writing patterns and pushed me to dive deeper into my characters and their motivations. In the process, I gained the confidence to approach scriptwriting as a form of art that could impact an audience. The creativity I practiced in RHET 101 helped me later develop stronger, more complex ideas when I tackled my screenwriting assignments in MACS 372.

After RHET 101, I took MACS 372, Scriptwriting. Writing a script for a movie is different from writing a paper or a story. This class helped me understand how to create characters, plot out a story, and write dialogue that would connect with an audience. I also learned about the rewriting process—scripts are rarely perfect the first time, and it’s through revision that the best work is created. This class taught me how to take feedback and improve my writing, a skill I plan to use in all my future projects. I also learned how screenwriters work in the industry, which helped me understand how scripts are turned into actual movies.

In this class, we were asked to write a full-length script for a short film. I was nervous at first because writing a screenplay was something I had never done before. But as I got deeper into the process, I started to enjoy the challenge. It was about more than just writing down what the characters were saying—it was about how to bring them to life on screen. I learned to think about every scene, every line of dialogue, and how it would look when the actors performed it. The revision process was key, as I would read through my script, make changes, and then share it with my classmates for feedback. Their suggestions helped me make my script stronger, and I learned how important it is to keep improving your work.

Besides these technical classes, I also took RHET 101, Creative Writing, which helped me become a better writer overall. This class taught me how to write more clearly and creatively, which has been helpful when writing both academic papers and my scripts. It also helped me develop the storytelling skills I need to create strong characters and plotlines. In all my writing, whether it was for school or my film projects, the lessons from this class helped me engagingly express my ideas.

In one of my writing assignments, I wrote a short story about a young character who feels lost and disconnected from the world around them. The story focuses on their journey to find themselves. Through this process, I discovered how important it is to connect emotionally with the audience through writing. This class gave me the tools to express my ideas in a way that would make people think, and that’s something I want to bring to my films.

One of the papers I wrote during my time at UIUC compared two movies, Fight Club and Disney’s Soul, to explore the idea of purpose and meaning in life. In Fight Club, the character is searching for purpose in a world that seems focused only on material wealth. The film questions whether the things we own define us, and shows how people often seek something deeper. On the other hand, Soul is about finding meaning through passion and personal growth. It tells the story of a man who learns that life’s purpose isn’t just about one big achievement, but about the small moments and connections we experience along the way. I looked at how both movies explore the idea that finding your purpose is a journey, not something that can be easily defined. These films both show how people today are often struggling with the same questions about what their purpose is in life.

Another paper I wrote focused on movie fandoms, specifically looking at how fans of true crime and serial killer stories affect the success of films and TV shows. I looked at how the Netflix show Dahmer and the movie Ted Bundy became popular because they were based on real-life events. These stories about serial killers sometimes romanticize or make the killers seem misunderstood, which can blur the line between entertainment and real tragedy. I explored how social media plays a big role in making these films popular by spreading the word and getting fans talking about them. I also looked at how these fandoms can influence how we view the people involved in these real-life crimes and raised ethical questions about whether it’s right to make heroes out of criminals.

In addition to my academic work, I had the opportunity to work on many film projects, where I got hands-on experience in writing, directing, acting, and editing. These projects gave me the chance to apply what I had learned in the classroom to real-world situations. I co-directed and acted on several of these projects, and each experience helped me understand how important teamwork is in filmmaking. Filmmaking isn’t just about one person’s vision—it’s about collaboration and working with others to create something that everyone can be proud of. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue pursuing my dream of working in media. I plan to use what I’ve learned at UIUC, both in my classes and through my practical experiences, to create content that entertains and inspires. Whether I’m making a short film or a digital media project, I want to tell stories that connect with people and make them think. I also want to continue learning and improving my craft, so I can create even better content in the future. My time at UIUC has been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and experienced. I’m excited to take the next step in my career and see where it leads.