Hannah Sam

BFA Film and Media Arts

Fall 2022 – Junior | Expected Graduation – Fall 2023

https://fmx298.santiago.bz/sam/

Ever since the feeling of satisfaction of thriving in something I love came to me as a kid, it became a sensation that I strive for in everything that I do. In high school, I took my first film-related course where I learned the basics of film, camera, and production. After already developing an interest in film through behind-the-scenes videos and messing around with editing, this class solidified my love for film and lead me to chase a BFA major in Film and Media Arts at the University of Tampa. As soon as I entered the collegiate experience at this university, I was instantly invited with love and the push for success. My Digital Media course with Professor Santiago Echeverry was the perfect introduction to this school; he gave me the encouragement I needed to feel confident that I was doing the right thing. I treated every task and assignment as if my life depended on it, and pushed to do my best work for each one; no matter how hard it was or how long it would take.

I had always known that I wanted to pursue film, but I never knew what I wanted to specialize in. My solution was to try everything and that’s exactly what I did. After being a production assistant on my first senior seminar film during my freshman year, I got thrown into production as a 1st Assistant Director on a senior’s independent study film. I struggled with imposter syndrome and whether or not I was ready for what I was doing or if I was in over my head. In the midst of my turmoil, Professor Aaron Walker sat me down and gave me one of the most reassuring and informational consultations I’ve ever had. I went into the position head-on and was successful and continued to thrive in higher roles on a plethora of student productions thereafter.

The experiences I’ve had since then have grown me into the person that I am today. My ability to be an assertive, confident person in my work and act as a learning tool for others has grown exponentially. With whatever kind of concerns my colleagues present from how to press record on a camera to putting together a production from scratch, I believe that I’ve become a person who can honestly provide helpful and supportive information to people. Negatively, my passion and willpower to be an overcommitting person often lead to the heightening of my stress and workload. It can be extremely difficult for me to pull myself from the work that I wish to pursue without factoring if it’s a task I can handle. However, my love for what I do and for helping others is what motivates me to keep pushing myself beyond new boundaries each time and testing the limits of what I can do and how well I can pursue it.

After I graduate, I hope to throw myself into the industry where it’ll take me. I’ve had the blessed experience to be able to work in professional occupations already from working as a 1st Assistant Camera on feature films, camera operating on commercials and comedy specials, and doing script coverage for a production company. The connections I’ve made along the way have been major supporters in solidifying my place in the industry and helping me how to prepare and understand it. My plan is to continue to improve myself academically and professionally to prove that I’m ready for what the world will throw at me in any capacity it plans to.