Hometown: Glen Allen, Virginia

Major: Bachelor of Arts in Visual & Media Arts Practice

Minor: Creative Writing

Post-graduation plans: Master of Fine Arts in Film, Syracuse University

Accolades:

“Adam has produced incredibly accomplished works across animation, documentary, experimental film, shortform narrative, and video art. Beyond his regular coursework, he has completed four feature-length narrative films over the past four years. Adam is a truly remarkable and unmatched film student.” – Jeremy Drummond, Associate Professor of Art

When did you decide you wanted to become a filmmaker?

I’ve spent most of my life wanting to make movies. During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time writing screenplays and teleplays. In my second semester at the University of Richmond, I took a course titled Introduction to Film, Video, and Sound, which was taught by Professor Jeremy Drummond. I credit that course as one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

You created four feature films in four years. How were you able to accomplish this?

I approached Professor Drummond with a feature idea during my freshman year. I remember telling him what I wanted to do, and he told me to just go out and do it, to create what I wanted and how I wanted to create it, and that nothing is impossible if you just keep working at it. I produced my first fully narrative short film, titled Leave, my sophomore year.  After that experience, I couldn’t stop. Four features later, it’s been the most important piece of advice in my entire life.

What topics do you like to explore in film?

Memory is a major component in my work. I often refer to my portfolio as personal hypotheticals. What I mean by this is that the dynamics of family history and emotions are all real. Parental relationships, romantic relationships, intimacy, loss, and love are all aspects of my work. I frame them in ways that can be opened up and reconsidered, which I think is one of the greatest gifts of movies.

What do you hope to get out of your graduate education?

I hope to push my artistic work as far as I can. I’ve spent 22 years of my life in Richmond. I’m excited about entering a new environment and seeing what it can do for my creative process.