Tell us about your project. What inspired the idea?

[It’s about] a Filipino American [named] Vera, her estranged father and an undocumented nurse who grapple with their discoveries when the father’s dementia brings painful memories from his past to the surface. As a Filipino American who has lived both in the U.S. and the Philippines, I have always been interested in exploring the themes of history, memory and culture, and how these shape our identity. Never Forget is also a take on historical revisionism and how it can affect us on a personal level.

What most surprised you once you started working on the project?

Two things: how difficult it would be to produce my film and how many people were willing to support my vision.

What was a highlight of living and studying in New York City?

I have always loved New York City, even when I would visit as a child. The energy of the city cannot be found anywhere else. It’s exciting to be creating art here.

What is something you learned at SVA that you’ll always take with you? Was there a faculty member or course that was essential for you?

Christina Kallas was instrumental in helping me develop my story in our screenwriting class and Sean Manion, our editing teacher, has helped me hone the material into a well-crafted film.

What was your favorite piece of advice that a teacher or student shared with you?

This is from an email to me from our program chair, Bob Giraldi:

“Actors need the security of a director’s creativity, originality and finality. Directors direct. Actors act. In between, the train keeps moving. You are the conductor. When someone suggests another route to take, you consider it and make the decision based on many issues—script, time, money, willingness to experiment. . . . Don’t get strapped in; don’t cower to every demand of others, or the frightening pressure of time and money—it’s going to work—and keep the train on course.”

What advice do you have for incoming students in your program?

Prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and financially for the challenges of shooting your film. It will be difficult and there are times when overcoming the hurdles may seem impossible. But filmmaking is a communal art. You have a whole crew, cast and supporters that are behind you, who believe in your vision. Make that vision one that is important, a story that needs to be told. Use every opportunity to tell significant stories.

For this year’s SVA Alumni Scholarship Awards, 67 students were chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants and granted scholarships worth over $52,500 for projects in such fields as design, animation, painting and photography. To see a list of the 2022 recipients, click here. For more information about how to apply for an Alumni Scholarship Award, click here.

To contribute to the Support the Talent campaign, you can make a donation online at sva.edu/give.

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