Journalist, Annenberg Media Center
Under the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Desk, I pitched, reported, and wrote articles covering USC community and the LA area. I took on field reporting, international, and agency collaborative assignments. A few of which include SAG-AFTRA, Cotopaxi, USC School of Cinematic Arts programming. I was also hired by the Arts & Design desk to create original images and graphics. I concluded this role upon graduating in Spring 2024. Articles and creator commentary below.
Up until this article’s publication, AM writers sensed a pivot in widespread Coachella culture. Here, I analyzed stage presence in recent Gen-Z live musical performers, largely showstoppers at that year’s festival. A few stage stormers include Dominic Fike, Willow Smith, and Olivia Rodrigo, who all call back to classic rockstars who reigned in pre-Instagram days. I do a few field interviews at the Smorgasburg Record Fair at The Row in LA. Reporting photos by me.
Read “Your favorite indie artist is actually a rockstar” October 4, 2023
The Fall of the House of Usher, Succession, Beef… but really I mean that one holiday episode of Season 2 of The Bear, why are the hottest 2023 TV releases so angry? Specifically, the heat around a family dinner table hit the streaming screen hard. Analysis and original graphic by me.
Read “Heated Holidays” November 13, 2023
A master of hi-res anime feature films, Director Makato Shinkai visited the Academy Museum who hosted a limited-time exhibit for his filmography. As widespread climate anxiety creeps up on the common conscience, particularly Gen-Z, Shinkai films place natural disasters as the backdrop to universal “what if?” narratives about destiny and romance. His answer lies in the truth about the desire for reversibility and the power of an individual to tip the scales. Reporting photos by me.
Read “Destiny within Disasters” November 29, 2023
I was lucky to see “How Do You Live” in Japan before it was released in the U.S. as “The Boy and the Heron.” I also read the source novel by Genzaburo Yoshino to extra prepare fully grasp what could be Miyzaki’s last film… maybe. I also got to chat with M.S. Game Design student Seleny Xie who was working with Sony Pictures at the time to translate intellectual properties to new platforms. Ultimately, this film had a lot hanging on its production, but how was it received by global audiences? Trace the perspectives side-by-side in my article here. Reporting photos from Shinjuku.
Read “Miyzaki’s Film about a Long Goodbye” October 17, 2023
Field reporting and write-up of the first Amazing Race plus photo hunt plus community service event, called “Questival” at USC, hosted by Cotopaxi. Powered by student leaders and local organizations, 200 “missions” were designed for the ultimate adventure for good.
I was brought behind the scenes of the organizers’ planning and live operations, all run through an app called Goosechase. On the flip side, I rushed alongside competitors who followed coordinates, merch drops, and tiered tasks for ultimate prizes as they canvassed the larger LA area. Collage by me.
Read “200 adventures in 24 hours” April 8, 2024
My most impromptu reporting experience. In the best way.
I attended GDC as is customary of most students in USC’s Games department and carried the Annenberg Media affiliation on my conference badge. This caught the attention of a SAG-AFTRA representative at an AI concerns session, which led me to follow an invite to what would be SAG-AFTRA’s first hosted event at GDC. This was in the midst of their standstill with the biggest game studios to agree on AI protections for game talents’ performances. Grateful for the right time, place, and the graciousness of one representative to include a student reporter’s eyes and ears. 3D and text graphic by me.
Read “AI Protections in the Game Industry” April 4, 2024