What is the best thing that I love about my work? When it comes to my work, especially regarding film production, I love the community of the industry. I have met some of the most incredible collaborators and friends throughout my experience, and I love being able to work with them on their amazing projects. These creative people inspire me to test my abilities, and we celebrate each other’s accomplishments and learning milestones. It is truly a rewarding community to belong to!

What is my idea of happiness? My idea of happiness often circles around simplicity, whether I am with friends or taking part in my hobbies. I often find myself reflecting on the little things in life rather than the more grandiose moments.

What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is never doing enough to help me reach my potential. I like to see just what I can do and what I could even do one day with some time, patience, and practice.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I am not very proud of the fact that I am someone who likes to be one hundred percent certain of my feelings toward something before trying it since it tends to hold me back from some amazing things in life; however, at the same time, that same trait also lets me observe situations more carefully and learn more while I am at it.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Although I am in the early stages of my career, James Cameron, Dean DeBlois, and Jon Favreau are filmmaking heroes to me. Not only are they directors of some of my favorite films, but they are also multi-talented individuals whom I aspire to eventually work with and learn from throughout my career.

What is my greatest extravagance? My greatest extravagance would have to be my dedication to learning about the world of film and doing what is necessary to help me build a reliable skillset. Although many dollar signs have been spent on purchasing resources, programs, and classes, I tend to believe that, in certain situations, the greatest extravagance can often lead to the greatest payoff, especially where learning is concerned!

On what occasion would I lie? Lying is something I strongly disagree with. I find it more respectful of the other person’s feelings and time to tell the truth even when it is hard to hear. If my safety is compromised, however, I am a little more willing to do what is necessary to protect myself and dissolve the situation.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The one thing I dislike most in my work is the fact that industry rookies, such as myself, seem to have to work for free to help us get somewhere. Although we love to create and want to see the project succeed just as much as the next person, getting paid a livable wage is something that needs to be incorporated into the early stages of a rookie’s career.

When and where was I the happiest in my work? I have two memories that are tied: my first, big-time PA gig was on this massive set on the backlots of Universal Studios Orlando. The lights, the sound, the hustle and bustle of the cast and crew, the numerous runs to Starbucks, and especially watching the live show from the broadcast truck while working on multiple tasks simultaneously left me speechless in the best way. It was all so fast paced, but I felt like I was living on top of the world! The other memory occurred a few months later when I was working with a film producer on some of her projects. I was tasked with creating pitch decks from scratch. Although I was new at it, it was fascinating to learn how to take the words in an email or from our meetings and watch them turn into a visual representation of her idea. Even though this is just the beginning of my journey, I feel like I have already won.

If I could, what would I change about myself? Although it is more of a grouped thing, the one thing I would change about myself is my food allergies. I have lived with these pesky things since I was a child, so I hardly notice them that much in that sense. I would, however, like to travel the world without dietary restrictions and once again have the snack that I loved the most as a kid: the one that smiled back.

What is my greatest achievement in work? A couple of years ago, I spent months writing a screenplay. I wanted to push my limits and really challenge my skills as a screenwriter. With my mentor’s coverage and his endless support (and more all-nighters than I would like to admit), I learned new tricks of the trade, found new ways to revise, and perfected the project to the best of my ability. A few weeks later, I was notified that I had been anonymously nominated for a contest from which I walked home with the Outstanding Screenplay Award.

Where would I most like to live? My dream location is somewhere in Florida. As a natural-born Floridian, I am endlessly inspired by the ocean, summertime anthems, and the feeling of the warm sun. Also, as a horse lover, the idea of trail riding during the Floridian sunsets sounds like a dream. The theme parks are a bonus, too!

What is my most treasured possession? My most treasured possession is either my childhood teddy bear or my horseshoe necklace that my grandfather found at a garage sale of all places. Although both items did not cost very much, who they were from and the memories they contain mean more to me than the price tag ever could.

What is my most marked characteristic? Supposedly, I make funny faces when I am really into a conversation, so people often identify me by those reactions. Apparently, I am told certain things because my facial expressions are entertaining!

What is my most inspirational location in my city? There is a coffee shop about 20 minutes up the road from me that I often enjoy visiting when I need a little inspirational kick in my life: The Greenhouse. Beautiful plants paired with the cozy coffee shop environment creates an atmosphere like no other, and there is something for everyone. Personally, I enjoy sitting in the dimly lit area of the shop while I do my computer work, but on the days I want a change, the corners that bask in the sunlight are my absolute go-tos!

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? While trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I have developed a liking for Panda Express. I get the same thing almost every time, and I am never disappointed.

What books influenced my life and how? When I was younger, my grandmother read a lot of Jules Verne to me, mainly 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days. Verne’s imagination was endless and inspired me to explore the areas of my own imagination to see what was hiding in the depths or just around the corner. To this day, I still return to Verne and the memories I have of sitting in my grandmother’s living room listening and watching her paint each one of his chapters before my eyes.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? This is probably the hardest question for me to answer because of how much I love music. One of my biggest hobbies is listening to new artists and making playlists of my favorites, but if it was my last day, I would probably just shuffle my Liked Songs on Spotify and let it go from there!

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? My heroine in fiction is Neytiri from AVATAR. When I experienced the first installment in the series, I saw a lot of admirable qualities in her character. I realized how our values aligned and how much of her attitude I respected. She stood up for what she believed in and defended the innocence and beauty within her world. From that alone, she inspired me to never fear the unknown but to place my confidence in the knowingness that I will overcome the challenge one way or another.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Behind the camera lens, my family is composed of my life’s truest heroes and heroines, those present and since past. My mother taught me kindness and optimism; my father, innovation and persistence; my grandmothers showed me the importance of understanding the ways of the past, while my grandfathers emphasized the true value of money and preparation; my aunts and uncles, they taught me strength, resiliency, and dedication. I am truly grateful for the people I have had in my life, and I hope to one day return the favor to the ones who helped me every step of the way.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? A once-in-a-lifetime movie that I would recommend seeing is HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. The adaptation is breathtaking, and it is my absolute go-to film. From the worldbuilding all the way down to the dragons’ individual personalities, the story creates the feeling of coming home almost right out of the gate and throws some unexpected humor in there, too! It continually inspires me to keep learning, to keep writing, and above all, to find new ways to achieve success when all else fails.

What role do stories play in my life and work? In my life, stories often help me learn more about myself. I have discovered many things within the depths of my mind thanks to the power of stories.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? To me, knowing that I am my own storyteller gives me a sense of confidence in transforming my life into whatever I please. If I do not like my character, I find ways to grow. If I do not like the conflict that has been presented, I search for the solutions. Like film, life has a “next scene” and sometimes a “take 2.” They say life is not like a movie, but I often find that it is. Perhaps it is not told in the format or formula with which we are familiar, but all the aspects of the Hero’s Journey are there.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My greatest fan, sponsor, and even partner in crime is my mother. If she is not there in person to celebrate the moment, she is the first person I call to talk about the experience!

Which people or companies would I like to work with ? Growing up, I always wanted to work with companies like DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, and Hallmark Media. Individually, though, I would love to work alongside Elizabeth Meriwether, Catherine Bell, Zoe Saldana, and Karen Gillan, because of how empowered, knowledgeable, and inspirational they are.

What project am I looking forward to work on? The project I am most looking forward to working on is an indie film I started writing in 2019. Initially written as a novel, I slowly began adapting it to the screen a few chapters in. Oddly enough, this project is the product of a brief dream I had and the overwhelming panic of trying to get everything down before it left my mind!

Where can you see me or my work? If you want to view some of my work, you can find the previews of my screenplays and video game design concepts at https://jennifermusser.wixsite.com/onlineportfolio. The site, however, is currently being transferred to another platform. Once it goes live, the new portfolio will be posted on my social media accounts, so be sure to check there for any updates regarding the transfer process!

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? To me, the words “Passion Never Retires,” create a sense of everlasting wonder and possibility; it is a way of life or a way of thinking. As a Creative, I tend to live by those words. Passion is one of the most important qualifications that I can bring to the table every day, and if there is no passion, how can there be art?

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? Some individuals who come to mind are Megan Lee (writer), Chevy Harrington (actress), Taylor Coffman (writer), Emily Gray (writer), and Zel Anders (producer). If you need a way to reach them, I am more than happy to reach out for their preferred method.

How can you contact me? You can reach me via LinkedIn and IMDb (Jennifer Musser), Instagram (@heyy__itsjen), and email (mussjbfilm@gmail.com).