I’ve been challenged in an entirely new way that I admittedly am not quite sure how to react to. While taking my second screen writing class in college, I’ve often been hearing that I need to find my artistic voice. I have been asked very specifically what tone I want to set in my work and what exactly I want to say to the world. I’ve been struggling with this because I realized that up until this point I’m not quite sure I ever knew the answer. The tricky part about this is that I thought I knew what I…
Author: Alexis McDonough
Alexis McDonough
As an aspiring Director of Photography, Alexis McDonough is currently entering her third year of college at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts as a Production major. Born and raised in the outskirts of Miami, FL, Alexis has always shown a curiosity for telling original and untold stories. She currently resides in the city of Los Angeles, CA and in the mean time of receiving her degree, she takes pride in advancing in her cinematography and editing skills alongside developing her natural story telling abilities. Making the decision to pursue film as a lifestyle at the age of 15, Alexis has taken advantage of several outlets to advance in filmmaking. Among these are internships and job positions that allow her to creatively exude her ideas and passions. Alexis enjoys indulging in her favorite films, creative writing, and reading novels and self-developing leadership books. With a strong work ethic and passionate personality, Alexis looks forward to writing for Ms. In The Biz. She sees this opportunity as an outlet for creativity and looks forward to networking, new experiences and opportunities
I’m going to be very specific with my audience with this piece and I (semi) apologize for that in advance. But, this one goes out to the filmmaker just starting out wondering if film school is a good idea. Hey, to each their own right? As for me, I vote yes and that’s not because I was just accepted into the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts… okay yes it is. I am totally and uncontrollably excited to be going to The Hollywood Reporter’s #1 rated film school in America. I’m here to say that if you do…
Yes I am a female and yes I am a filmmaker, no I am not a female filmmaker. See, the difference to me is very distinct. Many times we play up to this idea that we must mold into the fact that we are female filmmakers. And while that embodies a proud and feminist spirit, why can’t we be just filmmakers? Contrary to my belief, unfortunately, placing the adjective that differentiates male from female has been used in a negative connotation many times before. “You throw like a girl.” That’s my favorite. Not really. Last time I checked, when I…
Approaching my early 20’s, life has been exciting, adventurous, and very, very… sheltered. Yes, growing up in suburbia hasn’t presented many dangers; however, if there is one aspect I am prepared for, it’s the exhilarating rush of moving to a new city. For filmmaking, my current city isn’t exactly ideal. Of course, every aspiring filmmaker craves, let’s just say… the fast paced, opportunistic city of Los Angeles. The cat’s out of the bag, the city of angels is the Promised Land for the next generation of filmmakers. Although, wherever life may take you in the next few years of chasing…
Well, it’s that time of year again ladies… the month of love. Personally, I always seem to enjoy this month. I’ve learned to appreciate love in all of its forms, especially from friends and family. Now when it comes to romance, sure I would love it as much as the next girl; however, I’ve got bigger fish to fry at this time in my life. I’m not sure many would agree with me, especially being a hormonal raging college student; but I really just want to immerse my entire self into my work until one day I’m ready to settle…
Aspiring cinematographers, get ready for this because I am going to tell you something that will blow your mind…. You can capture footage of anything, with any lens, camera body, or even device and it won’t hurt you to do it. I know that didn’t really blow your mind but I had to get your attention somehow, right? As a college student not currently in film school yet, making the time to go out and shoot anything and everything can sometimes be a little tough. Many times, filming for fun gets put on the back burner behind tests, studying, and…
Recently I have had an amazing opportunity to help produce a commercial in the town in which I reside. I took part in a talent competition that chose six people from a pool of 250+. At first, the weekend in which the interview took place was the weekend that I was planning on heading home to see one of my best friends that I hadn’t seen in a very, very, very, long time. At first I thought to myself, what will be most beneficial to my career, my future, and myself; it was a hard decision to make to turn…
The professor in my writing for film class recently gave a lecture to our class about the types of characters we should and could create. He mentioned to us that we could do anything and everything to them. I thought to myself, imagine all of the vast possibilities that statement holds. I realized that we can turn our characters into heroes, villains, nerds, beauty queens, quiet gems, outspoken advocates, gender-confused males or females, disease stricken children, unloving parents, Mother Teresa type figures, or even the first female president of the United States. What ever it may be, they are our…
As a young filmmaker, I have been observing quite a bit: movies, television shows, and documentaries. The way I see it, there is literally never a point in a filmmaker’s life where they can stop learning. Every piece of work created by another individual can be a lesson for a filmmaker. Every movie can be a new insight to story line, character development, and even a new sense of dialogue. I have taken these five tips from my “Alexis McDonough’s GREAT Ideas: Favorite Quotes and Film Wisdom” journal and have decided to share them with you all. Now mind you,…
On our rise to the “top,” living in our late teens and early twenties, I know I can speak for myself and others when I say that I want it now, I want success now. Unfortunately for me, it’s hard to see if I am making progress at a slow rate or if life really is this slow. Sure sure, adults nag about how fast time flies once you pass that 25 mark. What they fail to remember in those words of endearment is how slow it felt as this age. I know I am probably the minority when I…
Starting out as a filmmaker, it is easy to picture directing a shoot to be simplistic and efficient. Unfortunately, starting out, it is also easy to misunderstand what it actually takes to effectively communicate with the people on set. At a young age, many of us have merely dabbled in the area of directing a video shoot and/or short film and have found that the communication needed on set is a lot more complex than what meets the eye. From personal experience, I have found that the ideas that are bursting at the seams in my mind are usually just…
EDITOR’S NOTE: Alexis is the “Ms. In The Biz” College Correspondent and the youngest member of the Ms. In The Biz writing team. ________________ Once again, it’s 7:00am and you find yourself waking up in small town suburbia… monotony is lingering in the air. Another day is dawning, another day away from the big city scuffle and natural hustle that crowds the air; hustle that mixes melodically with the aroma of the coffee shop down the street filled with ambition and too many shots of espresso. You wake up and you realize you are still in the same place, same…