Hi, my name is Amber, and I am a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying journalism and creative media. I am originally from Mobile, Alabama where I found my passion for the arts, specifically theatre and film. I grew up acting and singing in local performances and in my late teens started acting in films. I decided I wanted to study what goes into making these productions possible, and I found a love for working with other film makers and creating content that means the world to everyone involved. I would love to professionally go into acting, whether it be on the stage or in films, but I decided to put pursuing acting gigs on hold so that I could have a backup in the unlikely event that I’m no good … (a highly unlikely circumstance but just to be safe). Ever since I worked on my first film, around two years ago, I have been obsessed. The film was called Marley and it focused on a young professional struggling with the death of her best friend, and it was LOOSELY based on A Christmas Carol (I, a young female, played Ebenezer Scrooge a character who is traditionally neither of those things). Shameless plug aside, this film showed me how amazing it is to create content that has such a powerful meaning to it and made me realize that I want to be able to tell the stories that have the power to change lives. The film industry has so much potential to change people’s perspectives on a wide range of topics, but it also gives the opportunity for people to talk about privilege. People have used films to talk about the privilege that is granted to certain groups in our society, and it has shown just how blatant that privilege can be in some cases. I think it’s important to bring topics like privilege into the public eye because in some cases people are not even aware that it could apply to them. Film gives people who see privilege, or even people who experience it for themselves and want to change the system, the chance to make the public more aware of the way their society operates in favor of people who meet certain criteria and how it can be detrimental to the people who don’t quite fit that description. Privilege is not something that I personally thought much about until I took a gender studies course and was then assigned many readings on the subject. While most of those readings focused on male privilege, I think it is important to look at how it could possibly apply to anyone and everyone. There are so many people in the world that may not realize that they have privileges over someone of a different gender, race, or religion. There are so many ways that people can be discriminated against and if one person happens to be what society deems the best and most capable they, inevitably, will have privilege over those who don’t meet whatever that criteria may be.
9/3
Bob strolls to class, and on his way, he is bombarded by a large, very lost-looking, group of freshmen. Bob being the generous guy he is decided that since he was early this morning that he would take some time to help this group find their class. Little did he know they all had different classes. Each explanation required more time than the one before it, and Bob was doing his best to try and give accurate directions. As he began to see the line of freshman dwindling down, he began to grow anxious about making it to his own class. So, with the last few freshmen he gave the quickest explanation he could and hoped that they didn’t get turned around on such a large campus. Relieved that he had finished directing those poor lost freshmen to their classes he walks into his own class and sits down. As the professor came in and started the lecture Bob grew quite embarrassed. Why? Because Bob was in the wrong class.
9/3
I am an addict. What am I addicted to? It’s not a drug or anything like that it’s musical theatre. My whole life I’ve been in stage productions of all types. I cannot count the number of musicals I have either seen, been a part of, or listened to. Theatre and music gave me a space where I felt as if I truly belonged. Because of that I find myself listening to cast recordings and imagining it were me in the actor’s place. Musical theatre holds a very special place in my heart and because of that I am addicted.
9/3
The actor that I think would play me in the movie of my life would be Sutton Foster. A movie with me in it would inevitably have song and dance associated with it, and Foster is capable in both of those aspects. We also share similar voice types and a bit of a quirky personality. So I think she would be the best suited actor to play me in a film.
9/5
My best friend is Maddi Welch. We found each other a few years ago because we were both in show choir at the university. We found that we had similar interests that varied a lot from the norms of the other people involved in the choir, so we stuck together. Even though I haven’t known her as long as the friends I have from back home, I feel like we share a stronger bond because we can both openly talk about our interests in D&D or cosplaying. She gave me the knowledge that even though I have different interests as most people, I can still find someone who can share those with me.
9/17
If I could have any three wishes granted from a genie, first of all I would make sure that I was wording everything right so that there were no sneaky genie loopholes to mess up my wishes. My first wish after careful consideration on wording would be to have more confidence in myself and my abilities. My second wish would be to make sure that my loved ones were safe and cared for. And my last wish would probably be to always have the time energy and finances to stay involved with my hobbies and interests.
9/19
During the fall I generally try to take a few trips back to Mobile, AL where I grew up. This is mainly because there are festivals and events that I have gone to all my life that I don’t like missing out on. My favorite thing that happens in Mobile in the fall is Greek Fest, which is exactly what it sounds like. The food and music and dancing are some of my favorite memories, and not to mention one of my closest friends is a part of the dance groups so I love to see her perform. Greek fest is something that I wish to find wherever I end up as well because it is always such a fun time and I hope to experience something like that for as long as I can.
9/26
I know it kind of seems like a cop-out but my favorite food is, and always will be pasta of any kind. Pasta is so versatile in one dish it can be covered in a thick and creamy cheese alfredo sauce, and in the next is can be slightly coated in oils and herbs to create a more delicate dish. The one problem is that the pasta itself is so filling so I can never actually eat enough.
10/8
Right now I am seeing the bright light coming off of my computer screen and the dim light that backs all of the keys on my keyboard. I am hearing the clicking sound coming from people typing on their own laptops and hearing the whirring noise from my laptop trying to keep itself cool. I can feel the keys beneath my fingers and how the “f” and “j” keys have little ridges on them to signal where your hands should be resting. I feel almost at peace in a quiet room full of the little clacking sound of all the students working on the same project.
10/29
I have no plans for Halloween, but for fall break I plan on taking a trip. I am going to Nashville so me and my boyfriend can spend time with his family over break. We also plan on visiting some of Nashville’s newer museums and attractions with everyone.
11/19
I am most looking forward to spending time with friends and family back home. Even though I don’t live too far from home I don’t get the opportunity to visit as often as I would like to. I think break is going to be good for me to spend much needed quality time with those I am closest to.
11/26
The number on inspiration in my life is my mom. Throughout all that she has been through in life she has made a reputable career for herself. She also has managed for 27 years to be a mother and a full-time employee and, somehow, struck a good enough balance so that she could also pursue the activities that she enjoys on top of her other responsibilities. She has been in so many roles throughout my brother’s and my life that it is hard to believe that she has time for anything. Somehow she managed to do it all, but now that I, her youngest, is out of the house she is probably taking a well needed breather.
11/26
The biggest lesson that I have learned this semester is do not procrastinate. I’ve always struggled with this and this semester I let myself get too close to due dates for many of my classes. Because of this I did not get the grades that I wanted. They weren’t bad by any means; however, I would have liked to have had better grades throughout the semester. Another thing that is caused by me procrastinating is how I am not turning in work that I am proud of. In most cases after I review an assignment, I was not happy with what I was submitting, and I feel that if I had given myself more time then I would be able to put out work that I am proud of.
Amber's Blog 