Filming: A New Hobby or a Career?

One of my favorite films, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Finishing my Government film project, I had the urge to do something. And it was to film. When I logged on to Vimeo to upload the video, I started to look through all the videos that they had. And I thought, Wow I cannot believe you can do so much with a camera.

After that, I started reflecting on my career plans and what I wanted to do during college. I thought really hard about it, and I figured out that I want to do something with film. But not just any type of film. I want to be able to raise awareness with the videos I will make.

I noticed that film plays a big role in documenting people’s stories, or movements. And that is what I wish to do. I want to be able to show the reality of what life is for people of color.

What I find so intriguing about filming are the different shots that you can take. These shots come in different angles. For example the long shots, centered shots, profile shots, etc.

Not to mention the different effects you can create with them. It is truly fantastic: the different shots, themes, colors, you can make a film look like. I am talking more about technique, not the actual subjects, or overall story. That is something different and more complex.

When I said I wanted to raise awareness with films, I want to be able to use what you call counter-media. In society, we have seen so many films that show negative connotations of people of color. Not to mention that most of the films we watch and show support patriarchy, white supremacy, homophobia, and all these negative things.

To me, this is not healthy for a world that has been oppressed, suppressed by these negative things for years. In order to be able to live a healthy life, you need positive things that motivate you to move forward although the universe falls. And that is, what I want to be able to show in my films.

To show the real truth that people face every day in their lives. And to be able to understand the complexities of such problems that we have. Whether  it is queer rights, borders, the ocean, or anything that needs a new different angle, I want to be able to film it and show it.