Thanks for Stopping By
Scroll down to see a small collection of videos I have produced over the past few years. I started creating videos with my video webcam at the age of seven, I could have never imaged video creation becoming one of my favorite ways to share a story or to capture my life. Each video is paired with a description of how the video came to be. Feel free to take a peek into my mind by scrolling through this portfolio.
The Knopp Family Story
While serving as the Public Relations Liaison for Penn State’s THON I was in charge of the media output for the organization’s Cancer Cannot campaign. The Knopp Family story inspired and gave me so much hope throughout my own cancer experience from the moment I read it nearly a year prior to when this video would be released for the campaign. The family’s story had such an immense impact I knew it would not only be a highly successful video for our philanthropic campaign, but that it would also work to help and support families that had also lost their child to cancer, or those who were dealing with a child’s terminal diagnosis After many pitches of the story to THON directors, countless hours on the phone with the Knopp family ensuring that their story would be told with dignity, grace, and authenticity, I filmed and directed the production of the Knopp Family Story. It was immensely inspiring to watch this family muster up the courage to turn their story of loss into something that could help others and honor their son’s selfless way of life and legacy. This video, from pre to post production will always be something I am incredibly proud of. Due to the positive and healing experience I created for the Knopp family and the incredible bond we formed through the creation of this project, I was awarded the Courtney O’Bryan award – one of the greatest honors of my life.Other THON Family Focus Videos
The Knopp family focus video was just one of the three family focus videos I was in charge of producing while serving in my role as the Public Relations Liaison for THON. The following videos showcase two incredible family stories that were used for philanthropic campaigns over social media that reach up tens of thousands of people. I had the pleasure of selecting each story, pitching them, scripting and conducting the interviews, and working closely with each family to creatively direct the production in a way that would authentically tell their stories. The inspiration I gained from working with each of these brave and strong families is something I carry with me every day. Teacher Interviews for Penn State’s Center for Childhood Obesity Research
One of my first tasks when beginning my internship at Penn State’s Center for Childhood Obesity Research, which has now turned in to a part time position, was to produce video interviews of teachers discussing meal time within their classrooms. These videos were placed throughout interactive modules used to educate teachers and parents on what a healthy and educational mealtime experience should consist of for children in and outside of the classroom. Once I gained a firm understanding of the scientific goals of the content wanted in the interviews, I scheduled filming times at a preschool, and managed the entire filming set up and process, including conducting the interviews. Once the filming was complete I edited each interview and returned them to the research center to be placed within seven different research modules. Here you will find one of the many interviews I produced for this portion of the project.A Party For Patty
When I heard a close friend was throwing a party for her friend, Patty, who was about to begin chemotherapy treatments, I automatically told her I would come and photograph the party. Personally, I thought the party was something her and her friends should be able to hold on to forever, especially knowing how Patty’s life would change throughout her cancer journey from my own experience with cancer. When I arrived at the party I was told that a video was wanted rather than pictures. While I was excited to make a video, it was definitely a challenge, as I brought only my photography equipment rather than my video and audio equipment. Nonetheless, a meaningful video which captures the emotion and nearly every one who attended the party was created for Patty, to hold on to and look back on especially on her darkest days.Everybody Has a Story Series
Often I think about the power of story, and how every person no matter their age or origin has a story of struggle which unites us all as humanity. So many stories go untold when a person is lost, and so I decided to start a mini series where I interviewed people in my family to share any story that they thought helped to identify them. Below you will find two of the videos from the series. Organ Donation Awareness Video
Below is a video I created to raise awareness for organ donation. The video speaks of my own experience with organ donation and how it saved my life while providing my donor family an incredible way to honor their daughter. When I initially created the video it was just to have a way to share my story and spread awareness however I was fortunate enough to receive scholarships for the video by organizations that now use the video in high schools to teach students about organ donation.