Director’s Statement

Camila Barr Blanco

She/her

Fall 2023

Expected to graduate in the Spring of 2024

During my years in high school, I knew what I excelled at and in what I didn’t; I never enjoyed figuring out the slope of a triangle or studying the type of cells. But every time I had to create or design something, there was a spark within that ignited. Therefore, I always knew that whatever I ended up doing in my life, it would be in the creative field. I watched so many movies and always wondered how they were made, why they were made, and I fell in love with the powerful performances and images on the screen, planting the seed of the dream to study filmmaking. This was the moment I knew that this was not just a hobby, but that it could also turn into a career. However, as a first-generation Latina woman living in Florida with English as her second language, going into a male-dominated industry that is immensely competitive had me believe that there was no opportunity to become “successful.” Thus, I decided to put the dream aside for a while and to take an easier but still creative path, advertising.

Until one day, in the Summer of 2022 before starting my first semester at The University of Tampa, I decided to watch a Star Wars movie for the first time ever. This reignited that spark that quickly turned into a flame of curiosity. It then intensified when I attended the open house for the University and heard Professor Aaron Walker talk about the film program here at UT; I was sold, so I changed my major one month before starting my first semester. Without him even knowing, Professor Walker helped me make one of the best decisions of my life and unleashed the passion I have for filmmaking. Since then, I’ve been part of such incredible sets that have helped me shape my love for this career and discover my strengths and my weaknesses and collaborate with amazing, talented individuals.

I learned that I am fully myself when I’m behind a camera, framing a shot, and when I’m directing, bringing my vision to life. I enjoy editing and feeding my curiosity and my eager to continue to perfect this skill, especially color grading and composing the visual aesthetics. I also found passion in production design and casting. I lack excitement to work in the areas of sound and gaffing, and I aspire to become more knowledgeable about these areas with practice, as well as screenwriting. My time at The University of Tampa has been two years full of learning and personal development. Graduating high school with an associate degree meant I only had half of a degree left to finish. Therefore, with only two years remaining, I have had to adapt to learn and gain the experience that others had the opportunity to nurture in four years. This has given me the discipline and dedication to make the most out my time here and cherish it to the maximum.

After graduation, I see myself telling stories on the big screen and bringing them to life from a script. I dream of working in production in a buzzing City within the entertainment industry. There is still so much growth and learning for me, but as graduation approaches, I’m excited to see all the projects I have yet to be part of, the sets I have yet to contribute to, the talented people I have yet to collaborate with, and the places I have yet to go.