Great video. It's a topic that most artists can relate too, not just filmmakers. It can be very depressing when you are not able to realize a dream, because it reveals a harsh truth about who you are. It triggers a lot of frustration. Why can't we express ourselves the way we want to. Why do we have dreams that can never come true. Why does creativity have to be so painful. The good news is...if you're a true artist your dreams will never die. Giving up on them is not an option because they won't let you. The bad news is that your dreams will haunt you to the grave. Which can be a blessing and a curse. This is the path of an artist and the cross you have to bear. It's why most normal people avoid creativity. Because when you open up your mind to consider all that could be...you risk losing your sanity in the process. So...if you're feeling lost...no worries...that just means you're normal.
I graduated from film school almost 9 years ago, I did a few films and worked on some shorts after that. I didn't go to L.A. to work in the movie industry, did a 9-5 while working on photography and weddings which I'm still doing now. I have been planning on reviving some of my old screenplays and getting back into filming and directing. I'm still in touch with former classmates that still have the creativity in writing and making films.
Hi Aria's Lens I have been on a gap period for my research university for a while now. During this time, I mostly just spending time alone working on my portfolio for an Art University in the Netherlands. Ended up got accepted, when I came back to live with my family and let them know this. I feel so dreading about my decision because they wanted me to stay and help them. I got into a big existential crisis and still do. I lost my connection with myself and thought that I am forever stuck in a limbo between myself and my passion. It is magic that you posted this video. You show me that I am not alone and that no matter how I ended up, it is indeed possible, because you can do it, we all can do it. I'm still young but I want to be responsible haha, perhaps this is not the time. I'm happy for you that you restored an inner faith, I wish you the endurance of the sea
Hi Khôi, thank you for your magical comment! I am so touched that my video, which I made mostly for myself, is moving other people. I believe in you and hope that you will continue to pursue your passion in some way or other. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and the endurance of the sea! :)
Lucky RU-vid recommended me this video. The conversation with Monkey and the quote "Documentaries are a way of expressing love" really struck with me. This video kinda feels like a love letter to yourself.
Really insightful and well told, extremely relatable as well, I’m in Australia and it’s crazy that we can share such similar experiences from across the globe. Thanks Aria, keep documenting, keep creating, I believe there is a place for us all to succeed.
Hi there, thanks for your comment! I'm happy to hear that you related with the video, even though you are halfway across the globe. That means a lot to me!
Time sure flies! I remember 5 years ago subscribing to your channel when you got into usc film school. A lot of friends whom I knew from Chapman film school, UCLA, and USC ended up not being DP's or director's anymore after we graduated. Especially in LA where the cost of living is so high and since the industry is built upon nepotism it's really hard to get in so like your friend said you'd have to work from bottom up. My goal was similar to yours. I wanted to be a big hollywood DP. But to get there I would have to spend years 1st AC'ing... Assistant camera is great....the money was good. But it felt like I was chasing a paycheck rather than me getting to do what I actually wanna do which is to DP. But the more I worked I realized I didn't want to do that anymore. One year I ended up taking a break from film and went overseas to Seoul, South Korea and started shooting my own travel stuff because it was the first time I had content that I got to call my own. I started shooting these visual journals and people started taking notice. I was always assisting the DP so no one knew I could shoot/edit. Pretty soon through posting my own work, I got an opportunity to shoot a chili sauce documentary in Taiwan and realized I found more joy in traveling, meeting people, and giving life to stories which would have never been told. Life works in crazy ways because immediately after I shot the chili sauce documentary and came back home, Bopomofo cafe wanted to shoot a taiwan tea documentary in taiwan so I went back a second time the same year to Taiwan shooting a documentary. Keep chasing the dream and you'll eventually make it! It takes a really driven person to work a 9-5 but at the same time not lose sight in what they hope to achieve. Excited to see what lies ahead for you!
Hi Alan, thanks very much for this comment! I can’t believe that you subscribed to my channel 5 years ago when I first got into college! 😁🥹 Hearing about your journey was encouraging, and I’m glad you’re now working on projects that truly excite you. Thanks for sharing 🙌💌
I always told myself that USC would be the big-breakthrough opportunity I needed to enter Hollywood. And it was. I entered Hollywood... and immediately left after only 6 months at Warner Bros. I wanted to create my own films, but I continued to get caught up in "working to live." The creativity just stopped. I was working for a paycheck, rather than getting any individual inspiration. When I decided to leave and go on volunteering trips, I did so after an intense moment of meditation (similar to you haha). And I discovered that there were SO many different ways to incorporate my love of filmmaking into a sucessful and happy lifestyle. I never needed to be the next Speilberg in LA-- though for the longest time, I only wanted that. I could still make films without the notariety of a "big budget industry." I feel so much more at peace making these short docs of my volunteer missions than I ever would have recieved in LA/USA. Good for you for keeping up with these dreams. So many people loose focus of that after entering the workforce. Such an inspo!
@@savannahgriffin4641 Savannah! Thank you for leaving this comment 🙏🙏 I’m so happy that you relate to this video! You are right, there are so many more modes of success than just the LA-Hollywood-route. I’m happy that you’ve found a lifestyle and way of expressing your creativity that suits you the best. 😊🙌🙌 We got this!
Hi! I wanted to ask, do you think the online courses USC offers are good as well? I think the program you mentioned in the video was in person which I definitely would not be able to attend as I am living in Maryland.
Hmm, I haven't taken USC online courses, but I know UCLA extension's film school offers great online options. I'm taking a screenwriting class with them right now.
My name is Jonathan Trauner. I will be 30 this May 15th 2024 in Jerusalem. I work at Mobileye in Jerusalem. I have Autism. I am a poet artist and performing artist and I love Gal Gadot and Taylor Swift. On June 18th 2023, I got hit by a huge tour bus and I only broke my left collarbone and did not die. I finished recovering end of August 2023 and my bone returned back to normal and to a completely unbroken unified state beginning of December 2023. My greatest dream come true is to become the first openly autistic poet performing artist and artist with Autism to win my Emmy Grammy Oscar and Tony film and acting awards in Los Angeles California in 2025, or in 2028 at the 100th Academy Awards. #NEVERGIVEUP. "Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem," Emma Stone, 2024 Oscar Academy Award Nominee for film "Poor Things."
Hiii Aria! I don't know if you'll ever see this, but your video inspired me a lot when I applied for USC's film production major last year! You really helped me a ton when I was confused about how to structure my personal statement! I got in last year as part of class of 2026! The sick video you directed for haute magazine reminded me to thank you lol! Thank you sooo much Aria! Wouldn't be here without this video! :))
Hi Katherine, thanks so much for the heartwarming message, and congratulations on getting into SCA!! DM me on instagram @aria_sijia_li if you ever wanna grab coffee :)
When I was a child my face was okay but as I grew up I noticed that my face isn't symmetric . honestly I started to hate my pics but now I understand that I am not alone with asymmetrical face and accept the way I am .To all those with asymmetrical face I wanna say that love urself .u r beautiful .u r unique .may be u r not perfect but u r imperfectly perfect ✨❤️
If you had never brought it up, I would have never noticed at all. We tend to not notice at other people's imperfections, but when we look at ourselves, we find every detail of imperfection to not like. The smile at the beginning of the video is what I noticed first of you. This video was very well put together, and also you gathered all of us feeling like this together in the comments section as strangers supporting one another.
Hi! no worries if you can't get back to this, not sure if you're still active on this channel -- but I was wondering what your advice is concerning submitting short stories / pieces that, while dramatic and self contained, are not in the script/screenplay format?
Thank you so much for this. Thank you to Everyone who commented. Just yesterday I went into an emotional tailspin after trying to get a "good" photo of myself on my cellphone. It took me half of my life to love the way I look when I look in the mirror, but I am almost always shocked when I see myself in photos. It was only my mother who pointed out that my face was asymmetrical when I was a child. That was cruel of her. Two former boyfriends commented on my facial asymmetry. That was cruel of them. A mental health counselor noted that my face became asymmetrical when I was in grade school when she looked at photos of me throughout my childhood. One eye was more open than the other. Perhaps I had Bells Palsy? Perhaps emotional trauma was involved? Several medical professionals have suggested plastic surgery for "droopy eyes." That is their business, not mine. I'm 72 years old now. For now, I'm choosing to love my asymmetry, especially knowing that I am in such good company. I don't feel asymmetric or ugly in any way in my heart or soul and that's what matters to me.
My entire face isnt asymmetrical, just my eyes. But not in the way most people seem to have asymmetrical eyes. Most people with asymmetrical eyes look like this "👁 👁" where one eye is lower than the other, I have that too but the lower eye is also noticeably smaller. I know its noticable cause my uncle has pointed it out may times. In the mirror I'm so confident 10/10, the hottest girl in the world... but in pictures my eyes look so stupid and ugly. They ruin my entire face. I hate this
Im getting more insecure cause not also my face is asymmetrical,even my brows and eyes and teeth is asymmetrical! (Im ok about the teeth tho cause im getting braces soon) but like i think its ok having asymmetrical face but what if people this im weird?im getting more insecure when people say im 'pretty' in social media because what if they saw me in Rl and judge me,It bothers me alot and i always feel like crying...And dont even want to go outside even tho i want to, i also think people in our house is trying to comfort me when they found out i was insecure about my face.
Gurll same. I noticed it last year and ever since then everytime I look at my back camera photos I just wanna barf. I hate it so much. One of the reasons why I never take off my mask. So yea. You're not alone
You should see MY face. THEN you'd realize what asymmetrical REALLY means. I hate the way I look. My body looks disgusting. I am eating healthy, working out, getting enough sleep but still looking like sh*t. I guess being ugly is just what's destined for me. I haven't smiled in any picture for 7 years now because my face looks totally deformed. Nobody close to me understands and nobody really cares so.... It's not just insecurity and trust me I am not overexaterating. It is something that's standing on my way of making my dreams come true. I feel so pathetic. But I won't give up tho. No matter how difficult it gets.
Hi there, you sound like a really strong individual whose been through a lot. I know it might be hard to believe this right now but you're beautiful in your own way and are worthy of love and success. Hope you're doing better!
@@ariasijiali1689 Hi! Thank you for replying. Yes, I've really been through a lot and now that I look back at it I know that it has made me the person that I am today and even tho many times I wanted to give up on everything I still had dreams and hope that kept me going. I am in so much better place now it's been 5 months since I've written this original comment and the way I view myself has completely changed now. I can finally sincerely say that I'm happy, positive, my dreams are becoming my reality, everything is so much more better and it's getting even better every minute that passes. The best is yet to come and I wish you all the best as well! 😇🥳🙌🏻
@@A469-l2y I’m so happy to hear this!!! I went through a hard time the past year as well and am also feeling a lot better now. Happy we’re both growing together :)
im an international undergrad looking for usc sca for majors.. I love this.. I had some queries regarding the admission process could you help me out.. maybe via instagram or something
I'm sorry, but I will be getting surgery to fix my asymmetrical face. My face looks like it's turning another way, its not like your asymetry where its just your jaw and nose slightly. My cheekbone and eyesore is inverted, and then my jaw and nose turns in the durrection of my inverted cheekbone and eyesore so when I look at you, it actualy still looks like my face is turned to the side.
Hey asymetrical face friends, can we all make a Snapchat group and appreciate or do something which makes us comfortable...bcoz I wanna do that😪 I'm crying
@@moanashey9140 hey can we talk on instagram and make this group there to support each other.... Only we who have assymetripal face can support us.. Plzzz
