In the words of Albert Camus, “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” As imperfect beings, our worldview is clouded by the existence of stereotypes and false assumptions. Yet, for all our faults, the camera is an equally staunch, unbiased arbitrator of human life. Through its lens, it can capture an unfiltered view of reality which even the sharpest eyes fail to see. As a filmmaker, I am fascinated by the power of visual storytelling: in the spirit of Camus, I am constantly searching for narratives so authentic that their very existence rebels against existing perceptions of the world. Two summers ago, I had the rare opportunity to explore my personal narrative as an Asian American during a five-week film production camp at Northwestern. Though I had entered in multiple festivals before attending, the camp was my first experience receiving formal education of any kind and having access to professional-grade equipment. After many heart-to-heart conversations with my co-director and crew, we created Whipped Cream Cake, a film portraying the second-generation immigrant’s identity conflict between their ethnic heritage and American culture. While the recognition in film festivals was rewarding, I was proudest knowing that we had shared an authentic part of our lives to the world. My experience at film camp has taught me to find new narratives even in day-to-day life, from photojournalism to documentary filmmaking. During my junior year, I enrolled in IB Film, a discussion-based course which helped me better appreciate the global and cultural perspectives shared through film. The same year, I also began work as a photojournalist, as an intern for my local newspaper, Current in Carmel, as well as a photographer for my school newspaper, HiLite. Photojournalism fascinated me because, just like in film, it aimed to create a compelling narrative from the real world—this time through a candid view, capturing a living, breathing moment within a single shutter of the camera. In college, I am inspired to continue my pursuit in visual arts in an environment with students from around the world with diverse perspectives and interests. Despite my intentions to major in economics, film will not only be the tool for me to document the lives of others, but also a vehicle for me to share my own ideas to the world. This skillset will serve me well wherever I go, as both an outlet for my creative endeavors and a podium for my voice.