Sha Collier

A scene I’ll never forget directing was a conceptual piece featuring a woman dripping in gold. To create the effect, we poured gold paint from about a foot above the actress. Needless to say, it was a messy process.

Acting! I minored in theatre performance, and that’s how I first fell in love with film. But being behind the camera just felt like home, so that’s where I stayed.

There are a handful of films I find myself revisiting, some purely for the joy and comfort they bring, and others because of their artistry and impact. Sweet Home Alabama for fun, Gone with the Wind for its epic scope, Remember the Titans for inspiration, and of course, the Harry Potter series for a little magic.

My dream collaboration would be creating a Super Bowl spot with Nike or Jordan.

My favorite piece of gear is lens filters. Whether it’s something simple like a black pro mist or something funky like a kaleidoscope filter, I love experimenting with them and finding ways to add a unique touch to a shoot.

A fun, memorable moment that would make a great short is a time in high school when my dance team performed at the annual winter concert. We performed a difficult piece that we had yet to get perfect during rehearsals. That night, we were very nervous and scared we would make fools of ourselves, but the opposite happened. We crushed it. After our performance, we all ran backstage screaming with pride and congratulating one another. We were so loud that the entire audience heard us, and a teacher had to come backstage and quiet us down. While this isn’t a milestone moment in my life, it was one filled with pure joy and pride, surrounded by friends while doing something I loved. The memory brings a smile to my face.