Why did I join this class?

As a singer, dancer, and actor, I got used to being the one in front of the camera; the one on stage, the one in the spotlight, etc. In the spring of 2017, I took part in Burr and Burton Academy's spring musical, Pippin, directed by Jim Raposa. All actors were required to help on set both before and after performance week. Before the show, I sewed costumes, painted sets, designed and built structures, helped with lighting and sound, etc. After the show, I helped take down the set, raise the stage, put reusable props and structures in storage, etc.

Taking part in a production as a singer, dancer, or actor, you're aware that costumes are being sewed, sets are being painted, structures are being deigned and built, and that lighting and sound are getting worked on, but you don't realize just how much time and effort is spent doing these things. Throughout the spring, I learned a lot about all the preparation and behind-the-scenes work that has to happen before a production is ready for opening night. I gained a much greater appreciation for all the people who help out back stage. I'm taking this cinematography class in hopes of gaining a greater appreciation for all the work required before a production can be filmed. I also hope to gain insight into what those behind the camera are looking for in a performer. 

What do you hope to gain from this class?

In short, experience. As of right now, I have very little knowledge and experience with cinematography. I'm taking this cinematography class in hopes of gaining a greater appreciation for all the work required before a production can be filmed. I also hope to gain insight into what those behind the camera are looking for in a performer.

What do you know about cinematography?

As of right now, I know just about nothing about cinematography. My only notable experience comes from eighth grade, when my teachers got my class involved with GNAT. We split up into groups of about five or six people. We drew story boards, created informal sets, filmed, acted, etc. As a reward for our hard work, we took a trip one day to the set of a local cooking show. We were introduced to the actors, got to walk around on set, were talked through the process, etc. In addition to this little day trip, my teachers also had a man who films football games for the NFL come to talk to us. He explained the different types of shots he uses most often while filming, informed us how heavy his camera and equipment is, explained the different precautions necessary when dealing with rain and weather, etc. 

What do you want to know about cinematography?

In short, anything you can tell me. More specifically, how do I work the equipment? How do I know what I want my lighting to look like? How do I go about recruiting help for bigger projects? How do I effectively use the editing software to enhance my film?

What kinds of films would you like to make?

My one and only experience with cinematography in the past was very fun, informal, and silly. This semester, I'd like to focus on some more serious, formal, and complex films. Looking at the films we're going to be completing this semester, I'm probably looking forward to the New / Documentary and the PSA the most.

What are three of your favorite movies?

While it's hard to chose just three movies, I would have to say that my top three are the following:

What is your favorite movie genre?

To be honest, I love being scared. My favorite movie genre would, hands down, have to be horror. Horror movies full of jump-scares are fun every once in a while, but, in my opinion, they're not that scary. You jump and maybe even scream a little when the doll pops up out of nowhere, but it doesn't necessarily keep you up at night. I really like the horror movies with detailed plots and complex characters that you're reminded of every time you go into the basement or every time you're the one who turns the lights off at night or every time your dog barks at nothing. 

What motivates you to work hard?

In short, I'm motivated by things I care about. For better or for worse, I'm an extremely all or nothing person. If I'm passionate about something, I'll do it constantly and I'll hold myself to very high standards; I'll come in flex, I'll come in after school, I'll invent my own projects to do, etc. On the other hand, if I'm not passionate about something, I will not put a lot of time and effort into it, and I won't try to go above and beyond. Singing, dancing, and acting are all passions of mine. No one has to tell me to go to the studio during flex; I'll already be there. No one has to tell me to practice my guitar; I'll already be playing it. As I've gotten older and found things that I'm very passionate about, I've realized the importance of having a passion and doing the things that make you happiest. Yes, I have to go to math class and, yes, I have to write my English essay. I'll go to math and I'll write my essay, but those things don't make me happy; they aren't fulfilling. The older I've gotten, the more time and effort I've put into the things I care about, and the less time and effort I've put into the things I don't care about. I will always work hard for the people and things that I care about. 

What are five concerns that you have now in your life?

As an upperclassmen, you start to spend more time thinking and worrying about college, work, money, and your future in general. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't starting to think and worry about all of these things. Where do I want to go to college? What do I want to do? What if I change my mind?

I'm the type of person who wants to be a part of everything. I don't like sitting at home doing nothing, I don't like missing out on potential opportunities, and I don't like wasting time. Because of this, I always have a full schedule. This semester, I'm taking dance, cinematography, AP Spanish, AP US History, and pre calculus. After school, I manage the cross country team, participate in multiple dance classes, and am responsible for my siblings. During flex, I participate in even more dance classes and catch up on homework I didn't have time to complete the night before. On the weekends I work and do homework. As much as I enjoy all of these activities, it's a lot to juggle. I'm concerned I'm going to run out of time to do all the things I want to do. 

As in previous years, my mom works in Castleton, Vermont, which is about an hour from my house if the roads are good. Starting this past August, my dad began working in Woodstock, Vermont, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from my house if the roads are good. My sister, brother, and our two international students all go to school in Dorset, Vermont, while I go to school in Manchester, Vermont. Being a family of seven attending five different schools, my parents have been talking lately about the best plan of action moving forward. The word "move" has come up in conversation far too many times for my liking. When my dad began working in Woodstock, I was given the option to commute with him. I said no. I don't want to move and thinking about the possibility is stressful. 

Adding onto that thought, this past summer I was given the option to move back to where I lived in Wisconsin, to live elsewhere in Wisconsin with relatives, or to move to Seattle with relatives. Even though I love where I am in Vermont and at Burr and Burton Academy, there was a time this summer when I did seriously consider all of these options. Being a singer, Seattle would've been a good place to be. Leaving my friends years ago was hard, and moving back would be very exciting for me. I've never been as close with my relatives as I've wanted to be, so moving to Wisconsin with relatives would've been a good bonding experience. Thinking about all of this was and still sometimes is very stressful.

Adding onto that thought once again, my best friend from Wisconsin, Maggie, was seriously considering moving in with me until the end of high school. This would've been my childhood dream come true, but in the end she decided not to make the move. While this was a very exciting proposition, it led to a lot of worries as well. Would we share a room? Would she go to my school or to Long Trail School? Would she find her own friends or just join my friend group? What if we couldn't handle spending so much time together?

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

My favorite subject in school (besides dance) is and always has been math. Everyone always thinks that I like math because my dad is a math teacher, but this is not the case.  I like math simply because I'm good at it and it makes sense to me. I'm a perfectionist and I like to do things I can do "perfectly". 

What are three words that best describe you?

Passionate, outgoing, and talented are three words that I would use to describe myself. 

What is your biggest "character turn-off"?

There are definitely certain qualities some people have that make me dislike them before even knowing anything else about them. Some examples of these characteristics are when people think they're better than others, when people think that their way is the right way, when people don't give others the time of day, when people always feel that their voice needs to be the loudest in the room, etc.