My Journey To Mastery

Aloha everyone! My name is Robert Moore, and I'm a Cinematographer and Photographer currently expanding my skills at Full Sail University in the New Media Journalism Master's program.

My move into New Media Journalism is driven by a desire to strengthen the journalistic foundation of my visual storytelling. I believe this program will equip me to create more impactful visuals and structure narratives with greater precision, ultimately enhancing my abilities as a visual storyteller, documenter, writer, interviewer, and researcher.

My immediate goal is to thrive as an independent videographer and photographer contributing to the dynamic world of digital news. Looking ahead, I envision establishing a multimedia business that not only empowers talented individuals to connect, create, and grow but also actively gives back to our communities.

This journey of finding my professional path resonates deeply with a quote from Robert Greene's book Mastery: “For masters their inclination often presents itself to them with remarkable clarity in childhood. Sometimes it comes in the form of a simple object that triggers a deep response.” (Greene, 2012, p. 30).

For me, that object was a drafting pencil given to me by my father, a draftsman. From that moment, I was hooked on art. Drawing consumed me, fueling an obsession to learn and create, envisioning a career turning imagination into tangible art – my perceived niche and lifelong goal.

"However, as Greene also points out, “A false path in life is generally something we are attracted to for the wrong reasons - money, fame, attention, and so on.” (Greene, 2012, p.37).

My enrollment in art school for media arts and animation revealed this false path. The initial passion dwindled under the workload, morphing into self-doubt and fear. It felt like I'd lost a part of myself, leading to a period of depression.

But then, a photography class reignited my creative spark. It was a revelation, like my eyes have opened for the first time. Picking up my first camera, I was driven to capture everything, traveling and seeking every opportunity to shoot. This rediscovery aligns with Greene's insight: 'The first step toward mastery is always inward, learning who you really are and reconnecting with that innate force.” (Greene, 2012, p.19).

This reawakening led to client work, music videos, and eventually a Bachelor's degree in Digital Cinematography from Full Sail University. This journey has been my apprenticeship, transforming me into a proactive creative.

Yet, I recognize that mastery is a continuous process.

Looking forward, in the next three weeks, I'm focusing on two key areas: revamping my business website to reflect my current vision and reigniting a past project to showcase my growth.

Ultimately, my path from childhood artistic inclinations through a period of misdirection to finding my focus in visual storytelling underscores the critical importance of self-discovery and persistent learning on the journey to mastery.

My pursuit of this New Media Journalism degree is a vital step in that ongoing process, allowing me to further refine my skills and build a meaningful career. Thank you for your time, and for listening. MAHALO!

Reference

GREENE, R (2012). MASTERY.VIKING

MUSIC

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HUKU (2023). HEART STRINGS. SLIPSTREEMMUSIC.COM