Title: Producer and Writer @ Made By Things

Volunteer:

The Iowa Motion Picture Association Education Board
Tri-State Film La Femme Founder
Depth of Field Film Festival Co-Founder and Educator
Judge and Speaker at the Wildcat Spirit Film Festival
Volunteer Lobbyist for the Nebraska Film Incentive

What are you passionate about, and how do you use your voice/talent to make a difference? 

I’m passionate about telling stories. I have always been a writer, whether I knew it or not. I began writing short stories as a kid. Then, many years later, I went on to earn my MFA in Writing for Film and Television from Emerson College in Boston. Now, I’m a producer and writer at Made By Things, an award-winning animation studio. I love telling stories and bringing them to life on the screen. Film is a language that can transcend borders, so there is a certain power that comes with visual translation. I approach every new story with the same sensibility as I did the last. I don’t treat one story as being better than another because they are all important. And I like to bring this into my everyday life. We all have interesting stories that should be heard and should be regarded as important and valid. 

What is your vision for the future of Siouxland? 

I want to see safe, creative spaces where artists can come together. We need to collectively share our stories, work with one another, and connect in a way that not only allows us to teach and learn, but to feel seen and heard. Being an artist – especially a writer – can feel isolating. But I see film as a binding agent for the arts because you can showcase so much through the medium. Artists find strength and support in numbers, so building the community to be more unified and encouraging one another can lead to even more creative growth within Siouxland. 

 What are you doing to make that happen? 

I started building communities. This first began with Tri-State Film La Femme, a Facebook group for diverse filmmakers in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. I also helped lead the effort with the Siouxland Filmmakers Club to host a local film festival in Sioux City, the Depth of Field Independent Film Festival, which is also supported by the podcast I co-host. This podcast, Depth of Field, features interviews with filmmakers and provides updates on the film industry. In addition to this, I bring young filmmakers and students onto my film sets to provide learning opportunities with professionals. I am also serving on the Iowa Motion Picture Association’s Education and Professional Development Board to help further film education in Iowa by providing workshops and classes. 

How can people help you make that happen? 

We need common spaces for artists to work. Unfortunately, Sioux City does not currently have a free, open, after-hours-friendly communal place for artists to work on their craft. And while one could always rent, this is not possible for many artists, especially if they are younger or are not yet full-time creatives. We also need to build excitement and support. There are so many incredible artists working right here in Siouxland. Attend events supporting local artists, purchase their art if you can, and share what you love online. Reach out to them, even if it’s just to offer a few words of support. It can make a world of difference. 

What quote inspires you? 

 “You have to invent life.” – Agnes Varda (French filmmaker)