Artist Statement

As a filmmaker, I am constantly drawn to stories that are real and raw: stories that don’t always have a perfectly happy ending, or characters or make perfectly reasonable decisions. I find myself most motivated to create documentaries, or narrative films that are based on real life events. I find so much beauty in grounded authenticity, but despite this, I am a perfectionist when it comes to the technicalities of pre and post production.  

Some topics I have explored in my work includes sexual assault, LGBTQ+ rights, poverty, school shootings, and suicide. Some might call that morbid, but I think humanizing these stories makes it less frightening for the people who have actually lived through these things. Uncomfortable realities that are shown truthfully instead of being sensationalized. All of my work thus far is either a documentary of a true story, or a narrative that is based on a true story.  

When I am creating a story, I always start with a character, and then build the story around them. The conflicts that my characters go through is less forced upon them by their situation, but rather a consequence of their own actions. In order to have an understanding of your story you need to have an understanding of your character, and why they make the choices that they do. This is also why I specialize in directing, because I know the characters. I would rather collaborate with my actors and let them explore who these characters are, than tell them exactly how I would like them to deliver a line. On set, I deeply appreciate conversations with actors that allow them to really get to know the human that they are portraying.  

I don’t make films to provide answers to anything, but more to shed light on things happening around us; to make us all feel closer to the people around us. Seeing the situations that other people live in, remind us of our own resilience, and I want my films to serve as inspiration for everyone who watches.