VIDEO PRODUCTION
Through UNCUT Blacksburg, I've worked on video teams and served as the Executive Producer to publish six video projects highlighting Virginia Tech student-athletes.
These videos have, combined, received over 110,000 views across Instagram and Youtube.
As the Executive Producer, I am the organizer of all the moving parts that make up the filmmaking process. I serve as the point of contact with student-athletes and their respective Student Information Directors, meet with the student-athletes to get to know them and their stories, help the creative team storyboard, schedule shoots with our creative team, the student-athletes, and facilities managers, assist the team on-site during shooting, review first video drafts, and coordinate the video releases with our graphics and social teams.
EMMA ATKINSON | UNCUT CORNERS VOL. 5
"Seeking help is not a weakness, it makes you stronger."
During her swimming career, Emma has struggled with depression, anxiety, and the overall burnout of the sport itself. By taking her mental health seriously and asking for help, Emma was able to grow to where she is today. Watch her talk about her mental health journey and how she has taken what she has learned to make her stronger each and everyday.
NOTE: Apologies in advance for the audio quality, we had issues with the mic during our interview with Emma.
John Camden | UNCUT Corners Vol. 4
“The average person has no idea what it’s like to be inside one of the 10 guys that’s running up and down the court. I think people see us as athletes and not always human, but also don’t always realize what it took to get out there on the court.”
In the fourth volume of UNCUT Corners, John Camden details his experiences with three serious injuries. It’s clear that when Camden sets his mind to something, he plans to do everything in his power to make it happen. What originally felt like a setback ended up shaping him into the person and player he is today.
5 Student-Athletes on Eating Disorders & Struggles to Manage Weight | real talk ep.1
Five brave athletes across four different sports break silence about their experiences with disordered eating. This mini-documentary was shared hundreds of times, including reposts from large organizations such as The Hidden Opponent and Morgan’s Message. Its impact is hardly over as we are currently in talks with the ACC Network for further promotion during National Eating Disorders Awareness week. This episode marks the start of our 'real talk' series with UNCUT Blacksburg.
CHHInda som | UNCUT Corners Vol. 3
Volume three of UNCUT Corners follows Chhinda Som, the first female Cambodian-American athlete to play tennis at the collegiate level. Her parents fled Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge, restarting their lives in Rochester, New York. While Som is forever grateful for what her family was able to provide her, coming to Virginia Tech exposed the gap in resources she received during her childhood. Som reflects on how she felt like an outsider competing in the world of tennis, a notoriously affluent sport. One day, Som hopes to start her own inner-city program for kids like her.
Mara perry | UNCUT Corners Vol. 2
In volume two of the UNCUT Corners series, we sat down with Mara Perry to discuss the importance of mental health in athletics. Perry is now a mental health advocate, urging student-athletes to know that asking for help is not a weakness. It took the loss of a close friend for Perry to finally seek help for her own anxiety and depression. This piece marks the beginning of more mental health focused work in our organization. Our platform strives to show the human behind the athlete, since people don’t always realize what goes on behind the scenes. Mara’s story inspired many more athletes to reach out to UNCUT Blacksburg.
Aisha Sheppard | UNCUT Corners Vol. 1
This project marks the beginning of the documentary-style content that would later brand our organization. The film follows Aisha Sheppard as she prepares to make the leap from collegiate basketball to the WNBA. Specifically, it covers her growth as a basketball player, who she is as a person, injury, and a reflection upon her legacy as a Hokie. It also features her former coaches, Jonathan Scribner and Kenny Brooks.
