Pushing Up Orchids

I am an aspiring filmmaker from Staten Island, New York currently studying at the Los Angeles Film School for a bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking. As a visual artist I take pride in creating abstract poetic independent projects. Film is more than just a roll of footage, for me it’s a trip into the deep corners of someone's imagination. It’s a chance to bring their dreams and creative visions to life. Growing up in the 90s I was always fascinated by horror films and dark romances like “Edward Scissorhands.” It is my passion to infuse abstract art with film. As a visual artist all my projects hold elements of pop art in them, as art plays such an inspirational role in my life; My first film internship was at the Educational Video Center. Soon after that I continued on my journey through different film internships at Manhattan Neighborhood Network. I found myself being drawn deeper into the art of filmmaking after working for a short while at the Youth Channel and training younger children how to film. Working at El Barrio Firehouse community media center. It opened doors for me as an independent filmmaker; Leading me to create and direct my own independent projects such as “An Abstract Mind” and alternative rock music videos “Remstate” and “Wasted.” As I embarked on writing my very first screenplay of “Flowerchild,” I stumbled across a school online called “The Los Angeles Film School.” I started my film academic journey three years ago; Spending years studying the mise-en-scène of filmmaking, I would learn how important a premise is in a film. I would reach deeper within myself to produce projects that held the essence of an abstract mind. In 2020 my first course in directing 1, would lead me to experience my first emotional breakthrough with my poetic short film “Sleepless Slumber.” Throughout my journey as an aspiring filmmaker, I have learned to wear many hats of pre and post-production. That includes, directing, cinematography, screenwriting, editing, color grading and many more; But most importantly I learned that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, that nothing can hold you back. Not a learning disability, or funding, or even if all of society tells you that “you grew up in east Harlem and you can’t do it.” I believe anything is possible. It is my soul passion and purpose to shed light on important struggles people face through the art of filmmaking; I believe that by raising awareness through cinematography can make a difference.