Sierra McKeiver
Get to know some of our College of Media students! Sierra McKeiver is a Class of 2024 media and cinema studies major.
What media-related extracurriculars are you a part of?
I just restarted Focus Pull on campus. It is a minority film board for students who want to create their own content and learn more about film within and outside the College of Media. I also want Focus Pull to be a safe space for students to create things that impact other minority voices. In this space, members gain more knowledge about the professional video and social media spheres. They will also be able to create meaningful relationships with other Media students that will boost the quality of their collaborative projects in Focus Pull.
I am also the public relations and social media chair of several organizations I am involved in on campus, including my sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, in the Black Greek Council and Moda Bellissima, a student modeling agency.
What class would you recommend for media and cinema studies major take?
Film Production (MACS 260) is a great class to take.There are a lot of courses that teach you about film and video, but that class was the most hands-on. I got to make short films and projects every other week and was able to explore campus during class to find the best location to create a story. I even received awards in this class, and one of my films was shown at the student film festival at Spurlock Museum. It was very cool to see my film on the big screen.
As a senior, what is on your bucket list before you graduate?
I want to create a film by myself. I want to be in complete creative control of the film I put out. I am still trying to figure out the subject of the film and the look I am going for, but this project is something that I am excited to produce before I graduate.
After graduation, what role do you plan to pursue, and what responsibilities would it entail?
I am currently considering a film production role as a production assistant. I am also searching for jobs that complement my minor in business, such as production company manager. However, my dream role is to be the executive producer of a long-running show. I love Issa Rae and her comedy TV show Insecure because it shows that young Black girls are relatable and funny, too. Her production style is something that I would love to emulate.
What advice would you give to an incoming media and cinema studies student interested in production like you?
I would tell them to try anything and everything. We have the resources, and as media and cinema studies students, we have so much creative control over our own projects and work. Also, create as much as possible, even though it can be scary. I know it is hard, and you don't want to see yourself on camera or hear your voice. Ask your friends for help with projects; it will be worth it in the long run. If you use the resources we have, you will go far.
—Interview by Mallory Miller, New Voices Intern
