Ami Oberg
Arts Scholar
Pentathalon Semester 2
Follow along this semester as I document my arts experiences this semester.
Hysterics Comedy Show
December 5, 2020
This was the Hysterics' (UMD's female and nonbinary stand-up comedy group) first show of the year, and included a performance from Jenny Cavallero, held over Zoom. This event was very personally meaningful to me; it was my first time performing stand up comedy. I saw this as a large moment of growth as a person who struggles with social anxiety. Performing stand up related back to Arts Scholars in the way it draws from personal life as inspiration for creativity. My entire set, and most if not all of the others', was inspired by and commenting on events from my personal life. I now look at events in my life through the lens of "can I make it funny." Despite the nerves, I look forward to performing again and am proud of the first. #theater
ARHU Alumni Career Chat: Screenwriting
February 26, 2021
I attended an alumni career chat with Josh Eiserike, a screenwriter who graduated from UMD in 2003, through the University Career Center. Eiserike discussed his work, with his credits including Legacies, MAD magazine and G.I. Joe: Renegades, as well as what it takes to work in TV and movies today. I found this part of the discussion especially interesting since he went over some of the changes the industry has undergone during Covid-19. He noted that in the past, living in Los Angeles was imperative to being a successful screenwriter. Because of covid, he said, things are more remote now. He also said that he does not think graduate school is a necessary step to becoming a screenwriter; everyone has a different path but many successful writers do not go to graduate school. I also found Eiserike's background interesting since he also worked for the Diamondback and as a newspaper reporter. Being a journalism and film studies major and a potential creative writing minor, I loved seeing all three of these interests intersecting in Eiserike's successful career. #presentation
WH&N Elissa Washuta
March 24, 2021
I attended a Writers Here & Now event with the Writers' House where Elissa Washuta read excerpts from her collection of essays "White Magic." After reading select excerpts, Washuta answered questions and talked about her work. Her essays discuss "land, heartbreak, and colonization" from her point of view being a member of the Cowlitz Indian tribe and having experienced abuse, addiction, and PTSD. I was very happy to have the opportunity to listen to such a unique and underrepresented voice. I definitely plan to read the rest of her essays after having heard the few she read as I find it to be full of very interesting and moving stories. Being in Writers' House and considering minoring in creative writing, this reading connecting to that part of my studies. Recently, I've focused more on scriptwriting but in the past, autobiographical essays have been my favorite form of writing. This reading inspired me to consider writing more essays in my free time, especially since Washuta illustrated how powerful that form of writing can be both for yourself as an artist and for an audience. #literature
Art Behind Bars
March 24, 2021
I attended Katie Rees' Capstone project Artlinks event, Art Behind Bars. After a discussion contextualizing art among mass incarceration, Rees showcased artwork from artists in the Justice Arts Coalition network. Seeing different capstone projects is always exciting, and Rees' was no different. The topic she chose is very informative, striking, and important. I've read a few graphic novels by people who have been incarcerated so I know how powerful that medium can be. The work that stuck with me most from the presentation was a short comic about how there are both mental and physical cages in jail. "Cages in cages in cages," said artist Charlie Castillo. Seeing the ways people bring social justice and activism into their projects is very inspiring. Again, I felt very grateful to be able to see work from such unique and underrepresented voices. Being incarcerated is a uniquely terrible experience that those who aren't familiar can't often comprehend; artwork is very helpful in communicating what it can be like and the pieces showcased were very raw and moving. The comic Rees' project inspired a lot of thought, and I'd love to learn more about the organization she partnered with, Justice Arts Coalition. #visualart #ArtsScholars
Kevin Meehan
April 22, 2021
I attended a guest speaker event with Kevin Meehan by the Maryland Filmmakers club. Meehan spoke about his experience as a freelance (primarily reality) TV producer in DC, working with National Geographic, Discovery, A&E and more. I found Meehan's experience after college very relevant as he majored in film and I want to be a TV producer. It was very interesting to hear about the jobs he started off doing, primarily freelance editing. I was very happy to hear that Meehan has been freelancing for 15 years and has always had work since I currently freelance and can see myself doing it long term. Meehan also spoke about how much can be learned from actually working hands-on with a production company, which is exciting as I am currently looking for an internship. When Meehan spoke about the importance of knowing how to take criticism and notes when working for a production company, I was reminded of critiques in Arts Scholars and how we are taught to take those in. #presentation
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