Student Film Ambassadors

MINAMI, Film Studies | Email: boyd.919@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Minami [she/her] is a fourth-year Film Studies major with Production Focus Area, and Minors in Screenwriting and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Minami's dream job is to become a showrunner of her own television shows in the fantasy genre (specifically, the magical girl genre that can be found in shojo anime). She would like to create characters drawn from underrepresented communities in media, including her experiences of being hapa/hafu/mixed-Asian (half-Japanese and half-White). Minami is currently working on a screenplay that focuses on queer people of color. 

Minami is a member of the student organization "LGBTQ*mmunity," and lends her film expertise to discussions about representation in media. She practices many different types of art to try to prevent writer's block when writing scripts, and enjoys drawing and knitting. She also loves fandom culture, and would love to further study how fandom culture relates to spectator experiences of media. Minami has production experience since elementary school, participating in her school news room, high school YouTube channel, football team hype videos, and assisting with livestreaming varsity football games as video mixer. Minami is excited to share her passion for film, which she sees as a powerful tool for sharing different cultures and life experiences. 

Favorite movies: A Silent Voice [Koe no Katachi] (2016), Howl's Moving Castle [Howl no Ugoku Shiro] (2004), Legally Blonde (2001), Mean Girls (2004). 

SEBASTIAN, Film Studies | Email: griffith.948@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Sebastian [he/him] is a fourth-year Film Studies major with a specialization in Screenwriting and Narrative Production. Sebastian hopes to work in a creative role in the narrative world of film. He would like to apply his experience in screenwriting and production to work on developing features or continue as a film critic, a role he currently holds for Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern.

Sebastian is the President of the Film and Video Society, OSU's premiere film discussion club. He is also an intern at Epicenter LA, a literary management and production company that represents clients that have produced and written Oscar-winning movies and Emmy-winning TV shows. Sebastian has written several feature screenplays; he sees 1-2 movies a week at Gateway Film Center, and keeps a list of his top 100 favorite movies on Letterboxd at the handle @theplantman.

Favorite movies: Pacific Rim (2013), Paris, Texas (1984), The SpongeBob Movie (2004), The Outrun (2024), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Donnie Darko (2001), and all of the Lord of the Rings (2001-2003).

RILEY, Moving-Image Production | Email: johansen.49@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Riley [she/her] is a fourth-year Moving-Image Production major, specializing in narrative and animated film, and a Minor in Film Studies. Riley is particularly interested in storyboarding, visual development, and pre-production. After graduation, she hopes to work in pre-vis and pre-production (ex: story/concept artist) for film, tv, or games, ideally for animated films for Sony, Disney, Illumination. Another role of interest is to possibly work in motion graphics, design, and video/photo for a professional sports team, especially MLB (and her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs!).

In addition to her studies, Riley leads a campus group for The Salt Company, a campus Christian ministry affiliated with the Capital Church in Upper Arlington. Riley is an intern for The Salt Company, doing photography, videography, and graphic design for their social media. Riley also serves as a Consultant with Spark Thought, a Houston-based consulting firm. In this remote role, she has worked for three years to maintain their social media, assist on graphic design projects, and create animated explainer/vector videos for clients and promotions. Riley spent the summer traveling and photographing her younger brother's baseball team, and was able to shoot on Hawkins Field on Vanderbilt's campus in Nashville, TN. At Ohio State, Riley is a student athlete with the OSU Club Softball team, and runs their social media. Riley also is a secondary handler for 4Paws at OSU, training service dogs. 

Riley is currently working on quirky, childlike character designs for a story that may be adapted to her senior film, inspired by a short story she wrote in first grade titled "The Runaway Grape." She has had a film recognized in the Mad Royal Film Fest (nominated for Best Production Design). Riley is also a coffee FANATIC, which helps with late night editing sessions on film projects. She loves to collect vinyl records, and pulls artistic inspiration for drawing from listening to vinyl or from the books she is currently reading. 

Favorite movies: Aftersun (2022), Lady Bird (2017), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

CLAY, Moving-Image Production |Email: kessler.428@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Clay [he/him] is a double major in Moving Image Production and Marketing with a Minor in Film Studies. Clay specializes in narrative film with an interest in cinematography. He is co-president of the Mad Royal Film Society and is a member of the OSEuchre Club. Clay works for WOSU Public Media editing public television shows, with Ohio Sea Grant as an intern videographer, and creates sporting event broadcasts in Columbus for B1G+ network.

Clay is passionate about narrative film because of its power to change the way one thinks. He enjoys shooting movies with his friends, staying active, and spending time outdoors. Clay's dream job is to work as a director of photography for commercial projects and narrative features.

Favorite movies: The Shining (1980), Whiplash (2014), 1917 (2019), and The Florida Project (2017).

JACK, Moving-Image Production |Email: knellinger.7@buckeyemail.osu.edu

NICHOLAS, Moving-Image Production |Email: marrone.26@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Nicholas  [he/him] is a fourth-year Major in Moving-Image Production, with a Minor in Film Studies. Nicholas is a member of the Mad Royal Film Society production club, and the Media, Marketing, and Communications Scholars Program. Nicholas has a DVD collection of film and television favorites that he continuously adds to. He has also dabbled in graphic design since high school, and designs posters and illustrations for organizations he is involved in.

During summer of 2023, Nicholas served as a Video Operations and Production Intern for the Florence Y’alls Baseball Team in Florence, Kentucky where he learned about professional sports media and broadcasting, including producing the team’s official live broadcast, motion graphics, and edited videos used for the team and their social media accounts. Nicholas hopes to pursue a career in sports videography and work for a major league sports team or league, but he also has a passion for narrative and experimental filmmaking, and wants to continue producing film projects in his free time as another path of exploration.

Favorite movies: Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Interstellar, and other science-fiction and fantasy movies. 

JULES, Film Studies | Email: biller.60@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Jules [she/they] is a third year double-major in Film Studies and Studio Art, with a Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Jules loves experimental films with documentary subject matter, especially those specific to queer and female spaces. These topics inform Jules' creation, research, and operation as a student and artist. Jules is an avid fan of pop culture, plays bass in a band with hometown friends, and is an active member of AROUSE student radio (Amateur Radio Organization for Undergraduate Student Entertainment), as well as several music groups and film/art student organizations, with the goal of meeting and collaborating with like-minded students on campus.

Jules loves taking classes and developing film at the Cleveland Print Room, and has had the chance to work with independent and professional artists in Cleveland, Columbus, and on-campus to learn more about self-marketing and pushing artistic boundaries. After graduation, Jules plans to enter graduate school, with the dream of creating film and art, becoming a professor, and teaching in a university setting, to research and uplift marginalized voices in experimental film. 

Favorite movies: Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, Napoleon Dynamite, Kill Bill, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Trainspotting; experimental/underground films Scorpio Rising (Kenneth Anger), Chocolate Babies (Stephen Winter), what remains (belit sağ), and Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren). 

CORA, Moving-Image Production | Email:  hernandez.873@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Cora [they/them] is a third-year Moving-Image Production major with Minors in Film Studies and Studio Art. In the MIP major, Cora specializes in experimental film, and is interested in other topics such as video art, 16mm film, and commercial video production. Cora dreams of making moving image art and participating in artist programs and curations for moving image art. They would also love to work for an arts institution (like Art 21 or the MoMA) as a video producer.

Cora is currently the marketing director for AROUSE Student Radio and participates in the Arts Scholars program at Ohio State. Last year, they participated in a video production internship at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Cora has also worked on a few film sets, in roles including Production Assistant, Assistant Camera, Sound Mixer, and Director of Photography/Cinematographer. One of Cora's favorite experiences has been working for a commercial video production company under Rogue Media at the Arnold Strongman Competition in Columbus.

Cora is a huge fan of horror movies, loves music, and plays different instruments. When they are not on campus, they also love to cook, and work as a chef. Cora is excited to be an Ambassador for the opportunity to bring students together and participate in intellectual discourse outside of the classroom. They believe that the sharing of thought and discussion of films is one of the best ways to develop a personal style and cultivate a sense of community among aspiring filmmakers. 

Favorite movies: Monsters Inc (2001), Mother! (2017), Nowhere (1997), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021).

GEORGIA, Moving-Image Production | Email: nielsen.199@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Georgia [she/her] is a third-year Moving-Image Production and Arts Management double major, with a Film Studies Minor and Certificate in DICE (Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement). Georgia is interested in the business of cinema and learning about how screenplays are chosen, funded, and created through all modes of production. Georgia's dream job is to hold a managerial role within film production (such as production coordinator, line producer, or creative producer). Her passion for filmmaking stems from being a figure of support in the creative process for artists, and assisting them in the curation of their art by alleviating logistical stressors during production. Georgia aspires to live and work in Los Angeles or New York City, but is also excited to see how the film industry continues to grow in Ohio/Columbus.

At Ohio State, Georgia is Co-President of the Twilight Club, member of the Female Gaze Screening Club, and member of Mad Royal Film Society. She has held roles in film production since she was 15 years old, as production assistant for her hometown’s city cable network, filming events for local government, and filming high school sports events and music performances. During her college career, Georgia has worked at the MMC Digital Lab, first as a Video Apprentice, Junior Video Developer, and most recently promoted to Motion Graphics Team Lead. She spends her time learning more about creating fluid motion graphics through Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop.

Georgia challenges herself to watch 3-4 movies per week, and catches most of them at Gateway Film Center. She has the entire script of “Twilight” memorized, and can read back all dialogue in the film verbatim! She also has a gargantuan world map hung precariously from her dorm wall, on which she circles and notes all international films she has watched. Georgia is excited to be a resource for students about different stages and components of video production, and the types of resources available at the university. 

Favorite movies: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), The Witch (2015), Nope (2022), Princess Mononoke (1997), Pride & Prejudice (2005), and Twilight (2008)!  Friend her on Letterboxd at georgieanne.

LOGAN, Moving-Image Production | Email: sthilaire.7@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Logan [he/they] is a third-year Moving-Image Production major with documentary Focus, and Minors in Film Studies and Studio Art. While in the Moving-Image Production program, Logan hopes to gain the necessary training and knowledge to continue as an independent director for music videos, curate fashion editorial looks, and travel to produce documentaries. 

Logan has served as a Video Editor intern for SlapStik Comedy, and has been a photo and video specialist for the PAST Foundation, a transdisciplinary, program-based educational and research group. Currently, Logan is an independent director and artist, directing music videos and creative directing for several recording artists in Columbus. 

As an Ambassador, Logan hopes to share knowledge about courses, scholarships, and other opportunities with those curious about the film program or interested in developing films outside of class.

Favorite movies: Spun (2002), The Worst Person In The World (2021), Natural Born Killers (1994), The Conversation (1974), Dressed To Kill (1980).

TOBIAS, Moving-Image Production | Email: zuniga-shaw.2@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Tobias [he/him] is a third-year Moving-Image Production major and Spanish minor. His specializations are cinematography, documentary filmmaking, and experimental strategies. After graduation, Tobias hopes to work as an in-house producer, DP, or director for commercial and documentary projects. It is his dream to one day own and operate his own production company in the commercial/doc space. 

Tobias is a Morrill Scholar, member of the Mad Royal Film Society, and serves as a committee representative on the Justice and Equity committee for the Undergraduate Student Government at Ohio State. After his first year of university, Tobias interned at commercial production company GP Creative on the photo and video team, where he was subsequently offered a part-time position as an assistant editor and production assistant. He currently works for GP Creative as an editor and project lead. Tobias has also worked freelance for Sansom Media as a production/camera assistant for the 2023 and 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic with Rogue Documentary/Media team.

Tobias co-founded a student documentary collective called “Demise Creative” that makes short documentaries on Columbus creatives and activists. He is currently associate producing a documentary about the impact of ESL programs in the United States. When not busy with school or work, Tobias is an avid bike rider and loves to travel. His favorite camera is the Sony FX30 and he hopes to one day own an ARRI Alexa 35. 

Favorite movies: Roma (2018), The Last Repair Shop (2023), Bill Cunningham New York (2010).

MILY, Moving-Image Production | Email: stanhope.20@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Mily [she/they] is a second year dual major in Film Studies and Moving-Image Production. Mily’s Film Studies focus area is also production. After graduation, Mily's career goal is to become a live multi-camera director for concerts or sporting events (particularly hockey!). Mily works at Nationwide Arena when school is in session, and at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls during summers. 

Mily is a connoisseur of really corny “bad” movies, and is a member of the Female Gaze Screening Club and Mad Royal Film Society. Mily also participates as a member of the Women’s Powerlifting Club and a STEP participant at the Ohio State University. She is excited to share more about the Film Studies and Moving-Image Production majors with students who are learning about film-related opportunities at Ohio State. 

Favorite movies: Jaws (1975), Copacabana (1985), and Asteroid City (2023).

LUIS, Moving-Image Production | Email: ramos.312@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Luis [he/him] is a second-year Moving-Image Production major, with a main area of interest in Narrative Production. He hopes to add minors in Theatre and Spanish. Luis would like to use his degree to work in the film industry as a director or in practical special effects. His favorite genre is horror, and he has worked in haunted houses since the age of 13 (including currently at Fear Columbus).  

Luis is an active member in student organizations including the Film & Video Society and Mad Royal Film Society, and he serves as a mentor in the Humanities Scholars program. Through the Film & Video Society, Luis attended the Sundance Film Festival in 2023. In high school, he was also active in Business Professionals of America, and placed 3rd and 7th at the 2023 BPA National Leadership Conference in Los Angeles for individual promotional video production projects. Luis is excited to be an Ambassador to share his first-hand experiences with students considering studying film.

Favorite movies: Evil Dead (1981/2013), Dune (2021), Will & Harper (2024), Singin in the Rain (1952).