Maddie Torres

What are your central passion(s), and how do you plan to pursue them after graduation?  

My passions are photography and music. Photography is the reason why I learned to be a cinematographer; it’s a similar concept. As such, I plan to do photography on the side. Although I have played in a drumline for almost ten years, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like without it. I like to think of it as a chapter; instead of being an instrumentalist, I would be a cinematographer- a different way of storytelling. 

Who or what inspired your passion in this area?  

Interestingly enough, Hamilton. During COVID, there wasn’t much to do, so I found myself reluctantly watching a musical that everyone was fawning over since its first showing. I watched it so many times, and then something clicked; I wasn’t watching a musical, I was experiencing the performance. I saw the lighting choices, the use of camera angles, and the simplicity of traveling through time. I had questions regarding the way it was made and the artistic choices, so I needed to find out. In high school, I joined the theater as a lighting operator and found my way to filmmaking through Flagler. 

Can you share a memorable story from your time at Flagler that always makes you smile?  

A memorable moment I think about often was the hot summer the crew of “A Book of Freedom” spent together filming. Little did I know then that the team I worked with would be my first pick as a crew member for any film project. We all spent so much time together that we learned how to manage each other and problems as a team. 

Which academic resources, experiences, or mentors at Flagler were most valuable to you, and how did they contribute to your success?  

The resources that I used the most were the recording studio and the equipment room. Having access to industry-leading equipment allows for a variety of technical experiences. Additionally, as a student, I went to my professors for a lot of things. Questions, advice, guidance, all for my majors and professional experience. It is for this reason that it has opened a few doors to opportunities that I periodically find myself in, whether it’s on set filming a commercial or production work for a company. 

What advice or lesson would you give to your freshman year self about the college experience?  

Get out there and get the experience you need. If you don’t see an opening, make one. You are your own obstacle. Sometimes you just have to trust yourself.  

In the Flagler spirit, how do you hope to make history after graduation?  

One day, you’ll see my name in the credits as the Director of Photography. But I am already making history, my parents started in a new place with only 10 dollars in their pockets. Now, their daughter is graduating with a double major in things she loves doing.  For now, I intend to use my experience here to excel at a media company, whether as a broadcaster or a videographer, ready to collaborate creatively.