Teaching Philosophy

For me, teaching is an opportunity to awaken a deeper sense of curiosity and understanding of oneself and the world around them. As a film professor, it is my goal to enhance student learning as a transformative experience. Ideally, I want students to feel personally changed by their participation in a course I am teaching. My ultimate objective, however, is to provide a safe and creative space for students to discover their own unique relationship to film and to use if for good with respect of its power. 

My teaching experience is in film theory, history, and practicum for both scripted and nonscripted practices. I have served as a professor for both college and university, in rural Florida and Appalachia Ohio surrounded by underrepresented communities, as well as more conservative and exclusive ideologies. Situated in such places, I use these environments as starting points to discuss my teaching philosophies, film practices, and to generate dialogue around ongoing inequalities. Because of my sensitivity towards able, BIPOC, LGBTQIA people and awareness of various detriments to them still ongoing in the 21st Century, I am committed to helping others develop their own sensitivity and awareness. 

For the more interactive, hands-on production classes, I start simple and build from there. Many students start out thinking big-budget ideas. I expose them to lower budget, independent films, i.e., Tangerine directed by Sean Baker, Tarnation by Jonathan Caouette, and Wasp by Andrea Arnold to name just a few. My goal is to give them enough of a foundation in film production, history and theory that can then create their own unique work within their means and budget while still being remarkable, bold and creative.

I address the subject of ethics in all my film classes. As a documentary filmmaker, it is my responsibility to maintain truthful and respectful representation of anyone I put in front of my camera, to the best of my ability. It’s virtually impossible to create “pure cinema” once the camera’s on and editing takes place, however, it’s not impossible to represent the values and beliefs of the individuals I film, in their truest form. As a filmmaker and individual who stives to be aware of my own actions and their effect on others, it’s my responsibility to do nothing less than that. 

Additionally, I rely on my working relationships with industry colleagues, fellow filmmakers, professors as well as student evaluations and student feedback, to continue my own growth as a filmmaker, teacher, and professional. 

Curriculum Vitae

EXPERIENCE

Independent documentary filmmaker, instructor, and editor with extensive experience with Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro. My work has spanned over the last fifteen in creative development, production and post-production of both non-scripted independent and commercial projects for film and television. My work focuses on de-stigmatizing mental illness through up-close portraits of individuals sharing their deeply personal stories, as well as the inequities in access to resources for the marginalized. Currently, I’m assisting those in need win long term social security disability benefits.

EDUCATION

Master of Fine Arts, Film, Ohio University, Athens Ohio, Spring 2013

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio, Spring 2004

WORK HISTORY

ACADEMIC:

Adjunct Instructor, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL (2019 – 2021) - Classes taught: Intro to Digital Filmmaking, Film History, Motion Picture Production, Screenwriting.

Instructor, SOCAPA, New York, NY (2014) - Classes taught: Film Production and Editing.

Teaching Assistant, Ohio University, Athens, OH (2008 - 2013) - Classed taught: Film History, Screenwriting, Filmmaking (production and post-production)

Post-Production Manager, Ohio University, Athens, OH (2011 - 2013) - Graduate Level Avid Media Composer Classes

INDUSTRY:

Her Little Red Productions, LLC & Actor Susan Gallagher, Creative Consultant/Editor (2019 -2021) Orlando, Florida.

McGee Media, Lead Junior Editor (2017 - 2018) Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan’s   Personal Archival Documentary. New York, NY.

McGee Media, Junior/Assistant Editor (2016 - 2017) Discovery Channel - First in Human: The Trials of Building 10: Directed by John Hoffman, narrated by Jim Parsons. New York, NY.

Leftfield Pictures, Assistant Editor (2015 - 2016) The History Channel - Alone, The Weather Channel - Brainstormers, The Cooking Channel - Holy & Hungry, A&E - Pawn Stars. New York, NY.

Tupelo Honey Productions, Assistant Editor (2014 - 2015) The Travel Channel - Breaking Borders: Mariana Zeller & Michael Voltaggio - New York, NY.

Salty Features, 2nd Assistant Editor (2013) Small, Beautifully Moving Parts Directed by Annie Howell & Lisa Robinson - Athens, Ohio.

High Noon Entertainment, Production Assistant (2013) DIY Network - Disaster House, Denver Colorado.

PM Productions, Legal Video Specialist/Camera Operator (2006 - 2008) Video Depositions & Courtroom Playback. Columbus, Ohio

Columbus Pro Video Inc., Videographer/Editor (2004 - 2008) Columbus, Ohio.

A JAW Productions, Director, Camera Operator, Editor (2004 - current) Columbus, Ohio.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The Development of Mental Health Treatment, Awareness and Preventative measures and their effectiveness in modern society. Using cinema and other forms of media in more effective ways educate and destigmatize mental illness.

·       Examining the History of Mental Health treatment in the United States and its development in the modern era to the present

·       Effectiveness of treatment in the modern era to the present

·       Examining topics depicted in film and television, such as mental illness and addiction, and its continued misrepresentation.

 WORKS IN PROGRESS

ECT: Electroconvulsive Therapy. Writer/Director/Camera Operator/Editor (2020 – present)

Documentary (currently in post-production)

HONORS AND AWARDS

We Are Mary. 2017. Writer/Director/Camera Operator/Editor - https://youtu.be/FBJbGh1pAps

2nd place winner for Best Documentary Feature - Bushwick Film Festival

We Are Mary. 2017. Writer/Director/Camera Operator/Editor - Official selection Columbus International Film Festival

 Awarded School of Film (2009) Graduate Super Stipend for excellent performance and talent. Ohio University

SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION

Adjudicator Senior Portfolio Review. (Fall 2021) Bowling Green State University -Department of Theater and Film.

Film Juror. (2019) Lake Wales Art Center & NAACP/Afro - Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)

Educator. (2019) Bok Tower and Duke Energy. Environmental Education Day for Lake Wales Schools.

Producer/Director/Editor. (2007) King Avenue United Methodist Church. Short documentary film for Casa De Misericordia Orphanage, Piedras Negras, Mexico