For junior Lauren Medrano, the UCLA Cinematography Intensive wasn’t just a one-week camp, but a chance to immerse herself in the craft of visual storytelling. The intensive allowed her the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and equally passionate peers. Between long shoot days and lessons, Medrano found the confirmation that film is more than just a hobby; it is a part of who she is.
“From a really young age, I was always super interested in storytelling. I really enjoyed reading, and I’ve always preferred history, which I believe really corresponds with filmmaking, because the whole point of filmmaking is to tell a story,” Medrano said.
As she got older, Medrano realized her love for cinema and films was more than just watching them. Beginning with small snippets on iMovie, she grew her passion for cinematography and is now inspiring others to create their own short films through her club at RUHS.
“I am the president and co-founder of the Short Film club, and the idea is that we’re going to get together and make a short film club as a group,” Medrano said, “I really enjoy hearing everyone’s ideas because stories are definitely something that brings so many people together.”
Medrano hopes to emulate the same sense of learning and community that she found at programs like SOCAPA and the UCLA Cinematography Intensive through her leadership in the Short Film Club. While she developed a wide range of skills across both camps, the interactive experience at UCLA stood out to her the most.
“At the UCLA camp that I went to, we were working with these massive lights that they use in the industry, and so I definitely developed the skill set on lighting, specifically because cinematography has so much to do with that,” Medrano said.
But Medrano wasn’t navigating the intense week of filmmaking on her own. Fellow high school filmmaker Ivy Lynden, her roommate during the program at UCLA, had a front-row seat to Medrano’s growth both on and off set.
“My initial impression of Lauren was that she was super outgoing, bubbly and friendly. We immediately became friends, to the point where everyone at the camp thought that we had already known each other going into the camp,” Lynden said.
The instant connection with her roommate is only one example of the way that Medrano builds community through film. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue sharing and exploring the sense of purpose and passion she gets through film with other students who might be curious about filmmaking but are unsure where to start.
“Film is one of the most popular art forms, in my opinion. We live in the South Bay, and we’re exposed to a lot of people with different backgrounds,” Medrano said. “By watching films, you can learn about people from the other side of the world, and you can learn about their stories. So I believe that film is so important because it changes people’s perspective on life, as well as their empathy for others, which I think is something the world definitely needs more of.”
Medrano hopes to turn her experience and passion into real-world opportunities, even if the next steps aren’t always easy to reach.
“I hope to one day work in the industry. My goal is to try to get an internship this summer and study film in college just to get more experience, so I can prepare myself to be a part of the industry,” Medrano said. “Whether it’s the business side, or if it’s the actual production side of filmmaking, it’s something that I want to do going forward.”