Visions Reaction Blog

Visions was everything Shannon told me it would be. It was demanding, fast-paced and very hand on. I jumped in not really sure what to expect even with the in depth conversation I had before I applied to the class. I was immediately thrown into the class in a position I was not completely sure I had the training to do. I learned early on that the tasks I would be called upon to do would call for me to learn while in the process of doing. I learned how to correspond efficiently through e-mail and how to coordinate a trip and presentation. As hospitality outreach coordinator it is important to remember to take a deep breath and remember freaking out only makes it worse. Sometimes you have to suck it up and do what has to be done to make everything run smoothly. It is also important to help out others when you don't have alot on your plate. There is never a time when someone else in the class could not use your help. Visions has its separate departments but we are all one family that has to come together to create a wonderful undergraduate film festival and conference. I started out the week leading up to visions pretty tightly wound. I had a paper due and a test in another class so I was ripping and running everywhere between my different responsibilities.  Wednesday Jean-Jaques came into town and me and Ally showed him a good time and we hung out at my house and talked about his film. We also talked about series and films we liked and had a few drinks. It was really fun to hang out with him. Then Thursday arrived where all my pre-visions anxiety arose. Welcoming all of the people into town and shepherding was also a great experience. I enjoyed how awesome and down to earth everyone seemed to be minus the few troublemakers everyone was a delight to be around. I feel at Thursday night dinner is where those initial connections were made. It was great to see undergrads networking together and sharing ideas in such a fun and open environment. I feel Dig and Dive was a great place because it was fun and it encouraged us to interact with each other. That could also be due to the drinks some of us had. After getting everyone back to the baymont I went home to prepare for the next day. That night I didn't get much sleep because I was so nervous about Visions. I was up at 6 and at the hotel by 7:00 that morning to help guide UF to Visions. Everyone seemed very excited. Once they were settled in at Sharkys I jumped right into helping with whatever I could. It was amazing how smooth everything ran, nothing seriously impeded screenings or speeches and Q&As. Everyone was active and engaged, the video race helped bring the crowd together and by the end there was a genuine sense of comradery. My to favorite parts of Visions this year would have to be Caroline Roberts and her keynote address and all the networking at the Thursday night dinner and the after party. Caroline really acted as encouragement and inspiration for me to continue to strive to be the best as well as to take advantage of the opportunities available to me. I can't wait for next year to do it all over again as Visions 6 programing director.