I've always loved media, ever since I was a child. I gobbled up as many movies, TV shows, news programs, music, theater, magazines, and books as I could. Around the age of 12, I realized that my passion for media, but especially films, could be turned into a career. I dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and working on movies that would win awards and praise from critics. I took as many film classes as I could, learned about cameras, and how to work with Final Cut Pro. But after I started thinking about applying to college, this dream shifted as I realized that film was not my only passion anymore. As a dual citizen of two very different countries, I was fascinated by how world governments worked together. I discovered that if I combined my love of media and my interest in international politics, the resulting career path was journalism.
Since I've decided to study journalism, I've had a goal of working in broadcast news: in television or on the radio. I don't necessarily want to be in front of the camera either. Instead, I'd rather produce and focus on international issues. My dream is to be a foreign correspondent for a large news organization. I'm still passionate about film as well so I also want to try telling stories in that way through documentary. I don't know if all of this is possible.
I am inspired by many different media-makers. Nicholas Kristof, the New York Times columnist and author of Half the Sky, comes to mind in terms of what stories I want to tell. Ira Glass and Sarah Koenig at NPR have sparked my interest in working in radio. As far as documentaries go, I love the films of Errol Morris, Michael Moore, Werner Herzog, Alex Gibney, Kirby Dick, and Jennifer Sibel-Newsom. I'm obsessed with filmmakers on YouTube like Casey Neistat and how he finds a way to shape a new story every day. I'd love to work for an established organization like NBC, CBS, BBC, or even Vice.
I don't consider myself an "artist" right now, but maybe taking this class will help me develop that.
