About the Author
I’m also a retired Air Force veteran, and my background has shaped the way I see the world. The military taught me discipline, patience, and how to stay calm under pressure—skills that actually carry over into film production more than people might expect. On set, things move fast, plans change, and you have to be ready to solve problems instantly. I’ve learned how important teamwork is, and I enjoy being part of a crew working toward one goal: creating something meaningful.
What I love most about filmmaking is that it mixes creativity and technical skill. Cinematography is where I feel most at home because it’s the perfect balance of art and science. I’m always thinking about light, shadow, framing, camera movement, and how to visually support emotion in a scene. I’m interested in how different lighting styles can completely change the mood of a story—from clean and natural to dramatic and intense. I also want to keep improving my skills by shooting more projects, experimenting with new techniques, and learning how professionals make creative decisions on real productions.
Outside of filmmaking, I’ve also fallen in love with film photography. There’s something special about shooting on film that feels completely different than digital. It forces me to slow down and be intentional because every frame matters. I like the texture, the color, and the way film handles highlights and shadows. Even the imperfections—like grain or slight softness—can make an image feel more alive. Film photography has helped me become more patient with composition, exposure, and timing, and I feel like it’s made me stronger as a cinematographer too. I enjoy learning about different film stocks, trying new cameras, and experimenting with different looks depending on the feeling I want the photo to give off.
This semester, there are a few media-related questions I’m genuinely curious about and want to learn more about:
This blog is going to be a space where I can document my growth, share ideas, and explore topics related to media and storytelling. I want it to be a place where I can reflect on what I’m learning, post creative inspiration, and build confidence in my voice as a writer.
Hi, my name is Ernest, and I’m a film student based in Las Vegas. I’m originally from Louisiana, and I grew up in a small town on the bayou. Over time I realized I was always drawn to storytelling—whether it was movies, music videos, documentaries, or even the way a single photo can tell a story without saying a word. That love eventually turned into something bigger, and now I’m actively working toward building a career in filmmaking with a strong focus on cinematography.
- How do filmmakers use cinematography and editing to influence what the audience feels without directly saying it?
- What makes certain documentaries feel more emotional and powerful than others, even when they cover similar subjects?
- How has social media changed the way people consume film, photography, and news, and what does that mean for creators?
- What separates content that feels “real” and meaningful from content that feels rushed or overly staged?
I’m excited to keep building this blog throughout the semester, and I’m looking forward to learning more about media, writing, and creative communication. Whether it’s through film, photography, or storytelling in general, I believe there’s always something new to learn—and I’m ready to put the work in.
