| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | It's simple, but the most memorable moment for me as a kid was in December 2001, when my father took me to see the first LORD OF THE RINGS film. I'd always been in love with movies and storytelling - but seeing that movie cemented my dreams to become a filmmaker. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | In adulthood, I've come to cherish my relationship with my little brother. We always shared a lot of things growing up. We had the same favorite movies, TV shows, and toys. We did everything together. Now, we are both pursuing the same career paths, and he is my best friend. I'm very thankful to have him in my life. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Loyalty and compassion are the two most essential attributes of a person. At least that's what I think. With loyalty, you can be sure someone has your back. With compassion, you can be sure they will have your back even when you screw up. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I know I'm not alone in this camp, but I could not wait to get away from high school. I hit all the usual cliches - "these people, this place," on and on... Right as senior year was coming to a close and college was within reach, a film studio chose to film at my high school. As it all unfolded, it was like a tragic comedy. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would travel to the Middle East, specifically Iran. The extensive history of that country and its beautiful culture have long captivated me. I know I may sound like a typical or ignorant American millennial seeking picturesque landscapes for social media, but what I really want is to learn about a world very different from my own. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | We live in an increasingly polarized world, and what we need now more than ever are people who can empathize with those they disagree with; see all the sides to an argument without getting lost in their own beliefs. I would like to instill this quality in my future children by teaching them about different ways of thinking and seeing the world around us. I want them to understand that their life is their own journey and what their mother or I may think or believe should not be the only factor for making decisions. A deep understanding of others and relatability are some of the qualities I hope to instill in my children. |
