Being a filmmaker + journalist is like being a jack-of-all-trades. You have to be able to do it all, from writing to directing to producing. Rewarding.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first writing job was working for a great editor, John Virata, at Digital Media Online, covering film, visual effects, and the magic of movie making. I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun doing it.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have absolutely used a typewriter. I was taught how to properly use one in high school—a manual typewriter by Duke Snyder and an electric typewriter by Mr. Bianchetti. He had the most debonair glasses.
How is social media changing news?
There are many answers to this question. Information now spreads quickly and widely, although not always accurately.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
My favorite fictional journalist is Nancy Drew. I began collecting the Nancy Drew book series when I was ten.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's an honor and a privilege to be a journalist and to be entrusted to tell someone's story.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I preferred to be pitched on stories by email.
What's your favorite social network?
I would say my favorite social network is TikTok. I have learned so many useful things, from how to remodel a Victorian home to cooking tips and organization tricks. My favorite thing, however, is watching golden retriever videos while snuggling with my own golden floofs.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I wrote for our high school paper, The Axe, at South Eugene High School. I wrote stories and did layout design.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I would say that I was most proud of having my first college story on the cover of my school paper, especially after my journalism teacher told me I would never be a writer. Years later, I wrote the cover story for Millimeter Magazine on 'The Making of the Mega Matrix' about the Matrix Trilogy VFX team. I autographed that magazine and sent it to that journalism teacher with a bunch of balloons.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
The best advice I can give to aspiring journalists is to do the legwork, find the heart of the story, and let its truth resonate through that. Most importantly, enjoy yourself and have fun.
What's your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is iced tea. I am an ice tea enthusiast. I never met an ice tea that I didn't like.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I am not at my computer, I am spending time with my family and our three crazy golden retriever floofs.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
My favorite publications to read are NPR, Al Jazeera, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker and the New York Times.
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