Ashel Parsons

LA Dream
A

my Morris, a senior electronic media

major and a passionate film junkie,
made her dreams come true by
gaining acceptance to a film program at the
Los Angeles Film Studies Center. According
to Morris, the purpose of the program was
twofold: get participants into an internship
and teach them how to maintain their faith
in the challenging culture of Los Angeles
and Hollywood.
Morris always enjoyed movies and
discovered that she also loved the filmmaking
process. Once she discovered the film school
in Los Angeles, she knew that was where
she wanted to pursue her filmmaking career.
I like telling stories, and I want to make
them interesting and enjoyable, Morris said.
I like connecting images with thoughts and
making ideas tangible. I want to create an
experience for someone else and also put
God into it. I want to make quality movies.
Morris short film The Handshake was
shown at the English Literary Festival for
Harding faculty and was also viewed at
Hardings annual 5 Minute Film Festival.
In creating the film for her script writing
class, Amy worked with a team of people

After creating her own short film, senior

Amy Morris spends the semester at a
film program in Los Angeles

who helped her in the making of her film.

Mark Finch, a 2012 Harding alumnus, worked
the lights, junior Shane Healy worked the
audio, senior Carlton Norris produced the
film, and 2012 alumnus Riley Walling codirected it.
This was her project, and she led it, but
she listened to everyones advice and, for
the most part, incorporated into the film,
Norris said, praising Morriss abilities as
a leader.
The short film was based on both Morris
real life and a daydream she had. The
synopsis of the film was a girl and a boy
who met by chance years after being in a
relationship together.
Writing the dialogue was easy, Morris
said. I had played it out in my head so
many times that I knew what I wanted the
script to be like.
Kevin Newton, a 2012 Harding alumnus,
and Haley Rogers, a senior psychology
major, were cast as the man and woman
who unsuspectingly ran into each other.
Amy was a great director, Rogers said.
I felt that the whole filmmaking process was
a success with the crew, the actors and,

ultimately, Amy. She knew what she wanted,

and she would not allow any less. I honestly
cant wait until she makes another film.
The short film, in total, took about a
month and a half to write, produce, film
and edit. Morris filmed in downtown Searcy
near Quattlebaum Music Center and even
made a short appearance in the beginning.
I believe Amy is so passionate about
film because she has grown up around
great films, Rogers said, praising Morriss
creativity and passion. Amys eyes light up
when she speaks of film. I think the world
inspires Amy, and I think she takes what
she sees, and she pours some of her own
experiences, emotions, beliefs and opinions
into the mix, creating a well-rounded, nutty
idea for the making.
Morris was not yet certain which direction
with film she would take; she considered
becoming a director, a producer, an actress
or even a combination of the three. The film
school in Los Angeles ensured that Morris
could pursue any avenue she chose and
would be well-prepared for the professional
world of film.
Rachel Weiss

124 | People

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3/19/13 6:44 PM