The Importance of Film: My Story

People often say "it's just a film", mostly to those who are afraid of whatever monster or terrifying creation has jumped out at them. To me a film is a piece of art. It's not just a film, it's the collaboration of creativity designed to elicit a response from the audience. It's smart, it's psychological and it's brilliant.

Stories and tales create an outlet, somewhere to escape to that is completely detached from the real world. as a younger child books gave me this outlet, however as I grew and developed, I realized films were just like my books. Somebody else's imagination and dreams brought to life where I could see and explore their worlds through films. I'm still pretty sure to this day, that consuming films is the closest thing we have to seeing other people's dreams and I think that's beautiful and borderline spiritual.

If I was to pinpoint it, Disney must have been the start of my obsession with film, from Cinderella to The Lion King, the stories enchanted me with their promise of a happily ever after and the simple yet beautiful animation. To this day, my heart holds a special place for Disney, their standards of animation and beauty growing to the point where everything almost looks real. 

My father I think was also the biggest influence I had in terms of film. We'd sit and watch films regularly in the house, mostly when something was on TV that my Dad liked. It was in front of the television that I was introduced to films that I love and adore such as Mannequin, Top Gun, You've Got Mail and many more. Though my Dad was partial to a good Rom-com, (something which definitely rubbed off on his daughter) he did also introduce me to films such as Die Hard and The Day After Tomorrow. He started my journey, and for that I will be forever thankful. 

Now I'm 17, weeks away from becoming 18. I study media and I aspire to go on to create films of my own. My film taste has changed dramatically thanks to my studies and my media training, to the point where I don't care what I'm watching, as long as the narrative is good and the camerawork isn't all over the place. (I am however partial to a good independent or Rom-com) While I don't read as much anymore, I still find myself enthralled with stories, but now they're the ones on my screen, my temporary escape. 

The main point is, film isn't just a film to me anymore. I have learned so much and I know that a film is beautiful, it's an expression of feeling, a visual representation of a dream, of a story, of humanity. A film creates not only an opportunity for those producing it to express their creativity and ideas, but it creates a temporary escape from whatever trouble you're running from, inspiration when you need it the most, a source of answers when you don't have one and all coming from your screen. I am constantly astounded by the fact that we mere mortals can create such beautiful works. 

Film is important to me because I love stories and this is how I want to tell mine.

- Amy