Zoe Swanson
She/Her
Film and Media Arts – Fall 2024
Signing up for dual enrollment my junior year of high school was one of the most significant decisions I ever made. It opened doors to genuine college courses that not only advanced my education but also led me to my passion for filmmaking. I got to learn from professors with experience in the film industry. I specifically remember taking a live newscasting class that gave me my first hands-on experience working with high-quality equipment and other people. Those experiences drove me to study film and media arts at the University of Tampa (UT). At UT, I have gotten to test out various types of equipment in the cage, explore different mediums that expanded my knowledge of genres, and helped create connections that have gotten me onto my peer’s sets and learn more than I could in a classroom. Taking cinematography with Warren Cockerham has boosted my confidence behind the camera and pushed me into leadership positions. I have continued to evolve and learn about the film industry here at UT.
Before entering college, I was so quiet and reserved. But what used to be my greatest weakness became my biggest motivator. I realized being quiet didn’t help me learn, but it was my determination to learn that motivated me to break out of my shell. I am a quick and determined worker, becoming a director, assistant director, and cinematographer within just over a year. My desire to improve and succeed has driven me to work tirelessly, overriding any self-doubt. Cinematography has proven that I am hands-on, always the first to jump in and learn new skills. I have gone out of my way to meet with professors and seek specialized training on equipment to learn as much as possible during my time in school.
Dual enrollment helped me recognize that film is my biggest passion in life, but I faced a huge challenge when arriving at UT. Despite completing two years of college courses during high school, I found myself lacking the filmmaking experience I had thought I was gaining. Arriving at UT, I realized that my prior experience was limited to working on Live News production and solo projects using my phone. This became apparent when I stepped into the more advanced film classes at UT. Seeing the gap in my knowledge and experience compared to my peers was humbling. I felt as though I was a beginner already taking advanced classes, trying to keep up with the class. My starting point in knowledge, being so far behind the skill levels of my peers proved to be my biggest weakness. Though, I was determined to turn this weakness into a strength. To close this gap, I am continuously looking for ways to expand my experience with equipment and editing software. While I still feel as though I am playing catch-up, my passion for filmmaking only continues to motivate me, pushing me to strive for greater heights.
I’m looking forward to the next stage of my journey; I consistently apply for internships and job positions. My motivation pushes me toward the dream of working at a major film studio, filming big-screen movies, or editing for popular TV shows. I am confident in my determination to reach this goal, and I know that UT is an important stepping stone to reaching my potential. While at UT, I have used every opportunity to gain a better understanding of the entire filmmaking process. I have loved the classes I have taken, and each one has left me at least one valuable lesson I carry onto all my film sets. Yet, being physically on film sets has taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom. The excitement of being on set only further proves my belief that my place is behind the camera, playing an important role in the filmmaking world.