Story By: Walker Payne
MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The role of a film producer is often underestimated by general audiences due to its logistical and behind-the-scenes nature.
However, UM senior Calliope Moore says the art of film producing gave her the answer to who she wants to be.
Moore began her undergraduate career in the fall of 2022 with an undeclared minor and no prior film experience.
Despite a brief time under the environmental studies major, Moore shifted her focus to the Mass Communication department in 2024, where she began a concentration in broadcast production.
Moore says that it wasn’t until the fall of 2025 that she realized her future was always meant to be in film.
“I found film really only in the past year, and it has been something that has, like, kind of been a ‘well duh,’” says Moore. “Like, I’m kind of surprised it took me this long to, like, find it and figure it out because it really combines everything in, like, the artistic sense that, like- the performance aspect of it, the aesthetics, but also the like raw emotion behind it, because that’s always been something I care about so much.”
Moore acted as the associate producer for the Broadcast Education Association’s 2025 film, “Seeing Red,” and later in the fall, she served as the assistant director for the Digital Filmmaking’s Directing I class film, “Talk to Him.”
There is so much good that can be done through film. I mean, it is something that is, like, so integral that it- it is something that both creates society and is created by society… There’s a lot of power behind that.
– Calliope Moore, UM Student
The role of producer found Moore at a time when she says she wasn’t quite sure where she wanted to go, but since finding that passion, she says that she’s never felt more inspired.
“One thing that inspires me in, like, the more producer-y aspect of things is generally just being around people and being able to see, like, how cohesive the film community is,” she said. “It really is, like, kind of the phrase, ‘it takes a village,’ because really each film has a huge community behind it.”
Now, Moore is continuing to pursue her passion with roles in two more projects, both of which will begin filming next week.
Moore will take on the role of producer for the 2026 Digital Filmmaking capstone film, “Phantom Pain,” while also serving on the production design team for the Broadcast Education Association’s first 2026 film, “Dreams of Murder.”
“I definitely think that a lot of people see the arts as something that isn’t inherently valuable because there’s not a lot of practical use to it…” says Moore. “But genuinely, there is so much good that can be done through film. I mean, it is something that is, like, so integral that it- it is something that both creates society and is created by society… There’s a lot of power behind that.”
Moving forward, Moore says that she hopes her work can show others that there are narratives out there where you can do things and commit to enacting change, no matter your background or differences.
To follow Calliope and keep up with her work, you can find her on Instagram @callys.credits.
Vallo Vision News 