I have pondered for years on what I want to be when I grow up. The idea of having a career and putting my all into one particular thing until retirement has always been a thought in the back of my mind. I was not entirely sure what might fulfill me for the next few decades so I began to ask myself some key questions. I thought to myself, what do you like to do? What are you passionate about? What are you good at? Asking these questions began to spark some ideas. Television has always had a huge impact on me growing up and still today. The television shows and cartoons I grew up watching have been embedded in my brain. Although I enjoy the content of a tv show, it’s exciting for me to also observe the writing and production style. It’s so fascinating the way characters within a show are so uniquely and brilliantly crafted to coexist within a group or dynamic to make the show what it is. I admire such attention to inclusivity among characters to create the foundation for a strong television show or cartoon. My love for the entertainment world was sparked at a young age. I remember I was given my first cinematography assignment in 4th grade when I was just nine years old. Our class was recreating the 1902 French silent film A Trip to The Moon. As the majority of my peers wanted to be center stage, I was curious to explore the magic behind the camera. As soon as the director called action, I knew this would become a newfound passion of mine. Shortly after we wrapped up production of that class project, I eagerly expressed my interest in filmmaking to my parents. As we searched for opportunities for me to explore this new field, we stumbled upon the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California. They were offering a summer program for youth to explore their interests in the world of cinema. The program was too expensive for my parents to afford on their own, but after fundraising among our extended family and close friends, I was off to Burbank to partake in the world of Hollywood motion picture entertainment. For an extraordinary two weeks, I learned how to work a real professional camera and analyze and discuss movie classics. I was even able to write and shoot two of my own short films on the Warner Bros. studio lot where they shoot real blockbuster movies. I learned how to edit clips from old movies, as well as my own short films. It was incredible to work with film experts as well as other inspiring individuals who enjoy the world of movies and television just as much as I do. This surreal experience is something that significantly impacted my major life goals and propelled my ability to turn my passion for film and production into a career goal. I still have so much to learn about film and television production, but studying arts education as an undergraduate at UC San Diego provides me with the tools and knowledge I need to learn and pursue this dream.

I have pondered for years on what I want to be when I grow up. The idea of having a career and putting my all into one particular thing until retirement has always been a thought in the back of my mind. I was not entirely sure what might fulfill me for the next few decades so I began to ask myself some key questions. I thought to myself, what do you like to do? What are you passionate about? What are you good at? Asking these questions began to spark some ideas. Television has always had a huge impact on me growing up and still today. The television shows and cartoons I grew up watching have been embedded in my brain. Spongebob Squarepants is my favorite show of all time. I am 20 years old and have Spongebob related items all over my room. Spongebob has been my main inspiration and sparked my interest in pursuing a media career in the first place. Not only did Spongebob shape my humor, it shaped my newfound goal of getting into film and animation. It’s exciting for me to also observe the writing and production style. It’s so fascinating the way characters within a show are so uniquely and brilliantly crafted to coexist within a group or dynamic to make the show what it is. I admire such attention to inclusivity among characters to create the foundation for a strong television show or cartoon. My love for the entertainment world was sparked at a young age. I remember I was given my first cinematography assignment in 4th grade when I was just nine years old. Our class was recreating the 1902 French silent film A Trip to The Moon. As the majority of my peers wanted to be center stage, I was curious to explore the magic behind the camera. As soon as the director called action, I knew this would become a newfound passion of mine. Shortly after we wrapped up production of that class project, I eagerly expressed my interest in filmmaking to my parents. As we searched for opportunities for me to explore this new field, we stumbled upon the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California. They were offering a summer program for youth to explore their interests in the world of cinema. The program was too expensive for my parents to afford on their own, but after fundraising among our extended family and close friends, I was off to Burbank to partake in the world of Hollywood motion picture entertainment. For an extraordinary two weeks, I learned how to work a real professional camera and analyze and discuss movie classics. I was even able to write and shoot two of my own short films on the Warner Bros. studio lot where they shoot real blockbuster movies. I learned how to edit clips from old movies, as well as my own short films. It was incredible to work with film experts as well as other inspiring individuals who enjoy the world of movies and television just as much as I do. This surreal experience is something that significantly impacted my major life goals and propelled my ability to turn my passion for film and production into a career goal. I still have so much to learn about film and television production, but I know my drive, determination, passion, and creativity will provide me with the tools and knowledge I need to learn and pursue this dream.

If there is one word that best describes me, it’s creative. My name is Jalyn Corzine, and I am a 20 year old African American Female attending UC San Diego. I am majoring in visual arts, because I cannot picture myself majoring in anything else nor pursuing anything else that isn't art related. I best express my creativity through an array of different art forms. These include film making, photography, comic book sketching, cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and sculpting. When expressing my creative side, there is one particular rule I stand by. That rule is to appreciate each step of the creative process, as well as its outcome. While a great final product is always the goal, being inflexible on what that may look like can taint the creative process. When engaged in the creative art process, I find there are opportunities to expand and grow creatively along the way. This is why I find art so important and crucial in society, ideas can change and the vision may even widen. Possibilities are endless during the process phase. Thus, for me the process is just as rewarding as the outcome. We are given the opportunity freely express ourselves in whatever art form that may be. We are given a blank canvas to tell a story, send a message, make a statement that we want our society to see and hear. When creating a piece of work, whether it is a photography project, a short film, or a new comic book entry, I make every effort to pursue it with passion as well as creative flexibility. Experiencing those light bulb moments during the creative process is a superb feeling. Attaching movement and life to my vision is an amazing feeling, such as bringing characters to life that I created, telling a story through the visual, or even creating a gift or keepsake for someone. Taking my vision and turning it into something I can share with others makes me feel proud of my ideas, and encourages me to emphasize the importance of art in society. Pouring my creative focus into each step with genuine excitement is what makes the final product a success. Believing in myself and my abilities, while appreciating opportunities to grow and collaborate with others, is everything my creative side needs to thrive. My future depends on my creativity, and I hope to make an impact on the future of art in our society.