The World in Our Hands (2020)

A personal essay film about the nature of artistic creation, the process of social construction, and the responsibility that comes along with both. Created for FIL 690: The Essay Film, in partial fulfillment of a Film MFA at Syracuse University.

You & Eye (2020)

A personal, poetic examination of eye contact, social anxiety, and the nature of connection between self and other. Created for FIL 690: The Essay Film, in partial fulfillment of a Film MFA at Syracuse University.

Boy Story: Pixar, MeToo, and
Misogynistic Storytelling (2019)

A feminist critique of gender representation in Toy Story (1995) as well as Pixar's larger filmography, in which I draw connections from depictions of women in animation to reports of an unsafe workplace culture for women at the animation studio. Through this video essay, I aim to explore the complex relationship between art and artist in the context of the #MeToo movement. 

SOURCES

​

Burke, Tarana. "Me Too is a Movement, Not a Moment." TED Women. November 2018. https://www.ted.com/talks/tarana_burke_me_too_is_a_movement_not_a_moment?language=en

Chapman, Brenda. “Stand Up for Yourself and Mentor Others.” The New York Times. 14 August 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/14/how-can-women-gain-influence-in-hollywood/stand-up-for-yourself-and-mentor-others

Desta, Yohana. “Pixar’s Had a Problem with Women for Decades.” Vanity Fair. 22 November 2017. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/pixar-john-lasseter-boys-club

Gillam, Ken, and Shannon R. Wooden. “Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar.” Journal of Popular Film and Television. vol. 36, no. 1, Spring 2008, pp. 2–8. EBSCOhost, doi:10.3200/JPFT.36.1.2-8.

Hennekam, Sophie, and Dawn Bennett. “Sexual Harassment in the Creative Industries: Tolerance, Culture and the Need for Change.” Gender, Work & Organization, vol. 24, no. 4, July 2017, pp. 417–434. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/gwao.12176.

"John Lasseter on the Supporting Characters of Toy Story." American Film Institute. 2 December 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMBT_Cy5F_w

Maddaus, Gene. “Pixar’s John Lasseter was the Subject of a ‘Whisper Network’ for More Than Two Decades.” Variety. 21 November 2017. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/john-lasseter-pixar-disney-whisper-network-1202620960/

Masters, Kim. “John Lasseter’s Pattern of Alleged Misconduct Detailed by Disney/Pixar Insiders.” Hollywood Reporter. 21 November 2017. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-lasseters-pattern-alleged-misconduct-detailed-by-disney-pixar-insiders-1059594

Sarkeesian, Anita. “We Must Be Critical of the Art We Love.” Time. 11 September 2015. http://time.com/collection-post/4030632/anita-sarkeesian-sexist-media/

Scott, Ellen. “Agony and Avoidance: Pixar, Deniability, and the Adult Spectator.” Journal of Popular Film & Television, vol. 42, no. 3, July 2014, pp. 150–162. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/01956051.2014.881773.

Smolcic, Cassandra. “How Pixar’s Open Sexism Ruined My Dream Job.” Variety. 27 June 2018. https://variety.com/2018/film/news/pixar-boys-club-john-lasseter-cassandra-smolcic-1202858982/

"The Making of Toy Story." Disney. 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VdERcRJ3jI

Toy Story Wiki. "Bo Peep." https://toystory72.fandom.com/wiki/Bo_Peep

Variety Staff. “Rashida Jones Denies That She Left ‘Toy Story 4’ Over Unwanted Advance From John Lasseter.” Variety. 21 November 2017. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/rashida-jones-john-lasseter-toy-story-4-1202621286/

Zuckerman, Esther. "Rashida Jones Shares Her Hopes for the Leading Lady in Toy Story 4." Refinery29. 14 January 2016. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/01/101146/rashida-jones-toy-story-4