DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Intg 2: Prompt 1

Prompt 1

            For as long as I can remember, I have been glued to the TV. When I was younger, while my sister was playing outside, my mom was trying to convince me that if I didn’t stop watching the TV, I would get sucked into it. I honestly didn’t mind. I loved watching movies and shows, going to the movies every weekend with my dad, and making my own movies with my sister and cousins. When I was in eighth grade and my class had the chance to work on short films with the American Film Institute, I realized that my love for making movies and watching them could be a career or even a vocation. This is why I chose to pursue film as an academic interest that I wanted to pursue.

            Part of my strategies for learning about this subject of film and filmmaking is immersing myself in it in all aspects of life. I pursue my passion in class by taking notes, paying attention and hanging on to every word my professor says, reading about film outside of class for fun, watching movies, and making my own films. I go to office hours and frequently talk to a film professor mentor I have through the Building Bridges Program that I am involved in. Additionally, I got a paid internship on campus with Fighting Irish Media where I help to broadcast sports games for Notre Dame and channels like ESPN and Showtime.

            For me, my passion for film as an academic interest aligns well with the Holy Cross Pillars. Part of my goal with film is to give back to others. One of the pillars for the Holy Cross is heart: service back to others. With the education I have been given and am now receiving from Notre Dame, I want to learn as much as I can in order to give that knowledge back to others through the films that I make. In terms of mind, I have found that my “deeper purpose” is to do just this – to give back the experiences and knowledge that I have to others through the films that I make. My zeal fuels my desire to do this and my passion to make films while hope keeps me focused on my future career and major goals as a Film, Television, Theater major and future director.

            During Week Two, we learned about the danger of a single story. I believe that often times with film, there is a single story – one that focuses on Hollywood Entertainment, drama, and money. This isn’t always the case, though, and it is important to me to show others back home in Los Angeles that films can be meaningful and teach us something.  For me, becoming a director is not about the money, either. It’s about the influence I have and trying to do good with that. Additionally, During Week Five, we read and discussed Notre Dame’s Code of Honor. In film, this resonates with me because I want to be able to put my name on my own work and become recognized for my own directing styles and films. It is important to me to be able to be honorable in a business that doesn’t always seem as such and to bring my values with me along the way.

            This semester, I had the opportunity to take the Basics of Film and Television course. In this class, we have been analyzing and discussing films from all varieties and genres. My love and dedication to this class have reassured me in my choice to be a film major, become a director, and give back to others.  My goals are to pursue internships, work more with Fighting Irish Media, possibly intern at the Cannes Film Festival one day, and to start making my own short films while here at Notre Dame. I hope to take an Intro to Production class next semester and get more hands on training behind the camera, as that is where I really desire to be.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Intg 2: Prompt 2

Prompt 2

            This summer, as I looked at everything Notre Dame had to offer, from classes to clubs and activities, I knew that I wanted to be involved in most of it, but had to prioritize. I picked a few categories that I knew I wanted to be involved in. While academics come first and are always important, I wanted to maintain a balance with my physical wellness, extracurricular activities, and service opportunities. To maintain my physical wellbeing and continue to do sports, which I have played since I was six, I decided to join the Women’s Club Boxing Team and it has been an amazing experience. I have gotten stronger both mentally and physically  and will be fighting in Baraka Bouts for the first time on Sunday, November 8th. When it comes to extracurricular activities, I joined NDTV and have been working with them in the special programming department, I work with the office of disabilities as a note taker for one of my classes, and now work with Fighting Irish Media, which is great hands on film experience. For service, I volunteer at ECDC on campus every Tuesday for an hour. There, I play with the children and help them with preparing lunch. I also am a Eucharistic Minister for my dorm’s masses. Everything is scheduled so that I know when I have time to study, do homework, and also take breaks to hang out and socialize with my friends.

            These activities promote my fitness, religion, physical and emotional health, which is why they align well with the Holy Cross Pillars of zeal and family. In regards to zeal, I am making healthy and balanced choices. I do what I believe is best for my well being and try to live out my balanced lifestyle. It can be difficult at times, but by reminding myself of zeal, I am able to refocus on what my goals are. In regards to family, it is important to me to find a community with similar goals and values. One of the ways that I have found this is through boxing. I have made good friends because we all have a similar interest and goal in mind. Each one of us wants to learn how to box and do well so that we can raise funds for our Holy Cross mission in Uganda. Boxing is about fighting for a cause greater than ourselves. During Week 3, we discussed friends and read an article on how to make close friends. It suggested to find friends in different activities who have similar interests and can help you to achieve your goals. This is what I have found in my friends in boxing who have supported me every step of the way.

            My goals going into second semester are to schedule my classes in a way that I still have time to study, do homework, workout, and do service. I hope to start my day earlier than I did this semester so that I can finish homework earlier and not go to bed as late. I plan to make time to do service, and hope to volunteer at the Robinson Community Learning Center as a Take Ten Volunteer who can speak to the children about important issues such as bullying. Additionally, I want to work more with Fighting Irish Media and get more experience. Because boxing ends after Baraka Bouts, I want to find a new sport or consistent activity to do, so I am looking into taking a Rec Sports class like kick boxing or yoga. Keeping this balanced lifestyle throughout the second semester is a goal that is very important to me.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.