Emerson Blanton

Hi! I’m Emerson, a third year student at UC Irvine studying Film & Media Studies, with plans to double major in Literary Journalism. Getting here was a three-year journey full of major changes at community college in Sacramento, but through it all, I discovered where my passions really live. In 2024, I traveled abroad, and it completely shifted how I see and create art!

On campus, I’m involved in a few creative spaces that keep me inspired with incredibly talented collaborators. I’m currently a member of FADA, working on a short film this quarter, to be screened at the annual Zotfest. I am also a writer and photographer for Her Campus. As well as working with the student-run dance program Bare Bones. I hope to build into my professional career and start working in documentary or narrative storytelling focused on humanitarian issues. As well as continuing to explore film photography, especially while traveling.

My background as a professional and competitive dancer, paired with my love for photography, has shaped how I see the world and how I write. I believe our confidence grows from how we take in the world around us, and how we turn it into something personal. I’m always looking for the stories that live in quiet moments and the beauty that hides in-between.