Fall Grad Spotlight: Makenna Tuttle

Makenna Tuttle, from Painesville, Ohio, is graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree in film from the School of Film in the College of Fine Arts.

What are your next steps or plans for the future? 
I plan to continue down my path of producing, or post-production. Both allow me to be directly involved in the filmmaking process and I really enjoy that and working with the director.

What memory stands out from your time at OHIO?
Any time that I have been on a film production with the other film students. There is an amazing energy and “connectiveness” that happens during these sets, and it really brings all of us closer together within our major.

Why did you choose OHIO? 
I liked the overall atmosphere and that it wasn’t a huge overwhelming campus. It was a nice transition from a small town to a slightly bigger town, and now I will be able to slowly transition to an even bigger city after graduation. 

Who were your favorite professors and how did they make an impact on your life?
Professor Lindsey Martin, along with the countless graduate students who poured their knowledge into us and helped educate us. They always encouraged creative freedom while also encouraging us to push ourselves outside our comfort zone and question our ideas about the world. 

Lindsey Martin has helped me through countless obstacles while in school, and really acted as a mentor when I needed advice relating to school or outside of school.

What was the hardest hill you had to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) at OHIO? How did you overcome challenges or obstacles in your path?
I had to learn to stand up for myself and ask for help when I needed it. You are your own biggest advocate while at college, so it’s important to speak up when you need something and be firm about getting what you need.

What are your favorite OHIO memories?
The Athens Film and Video Festival, going on walks with friends on the bike path, going to Strouds Run, enjoying Karaoke nights, etc. 

What’s the one thing you would tell a new OHIO student not to miss?
Do not miss the opportunity to join organizations on campus. I joined National Society for Black Engineers as a Social Media Board member and met some awesome people. Even though I am a Fine Arts Major, I was also able to land a really cool video editing internship over the summer at Hyland Software, a company that came and spoke at one of our organizational meetings. You never know what opportunities might present themselves by putting yourself out there.