Story By: Walker Payne

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The role of a cinematographer is to hone the vision of the director and shape the visual world of a film’s script.

But according to UM Senior Emily Billings, the most exciting thing about the director of photography role is how it allows her to find a balance between creativity and technicality.

Billings began her undergraduate career in August of 2022, after spending all of her life studying under a homeschooled education.

Prior to her time at Montevallo, she says she had never gotten the chance to explore the world of film, with most of her life being set on the idea of going to college for pre-law.

It wasn’t until she visited Montevallo for an Exploring Mass Comm event that she discovered an interest in broadcast news, which led her to the program that introduced her to a passion for digital filmmaking.

“For me, it’s a form of expression,” she said. “I’ve never really been good at expressing myself. I never feel like I have the right words to say… But with a camera, I can show people how I feel. With a script, I feel incredibly comfortable writing about a situation that I’m in.”

While Billings says she has found a strong admiration and care for screenwriting, her passion primarily lies in the art of cinematography.

“It’s fun to play around with cameras, specifically my beloved, the Sony FX6. But creatively, it’s equally important to the directing,” said Billings. “You need to be able to visually convey just as much, if not more than the actors do, while also making sure the shots make sense, are cohesive, and don’t distract from the action.”

Over the years spent at the University of Montevallo, Billings has had numerous opportunities to work on various film sets. From “Jabari’s Log” and “Confess Your Sins” to both of the Broadcast Education Association’s most recent entries to the 48-hour competition, “A Day Without Popcorn” and “Morbid Heat,” she says she has gotten a lot of experience in a variety of different roles.

I just want my work to show people that you can be something. You can achieve your dreams, you can pursue your passions. Even if the cards are not in your corner, you can still create your own corner.

– Emily Billings

Last semester, Billings served as the cinematographer/director of photography for the the Digital Filmmaking’s Cinematography I class film, “It Comes Knocking,” and most recently, she continued in the role of cinematographer for the Digital Filmmaking capstone film, “Phantom Pain.”

Billings also took on another leading role with this semester’s BEA film, “Dreams of Murder,” as both writer and director.

While cinematography remains her truest passion, Billings says the director’s role has taught her a lot about how important communication can in the filmmaking world.

“That’s basically all directing is, and it’s something I really struggled with at first,” she said. “But I think by the end, I got a lot better at both telling and showing my actors what each scene needed.”

As she moves forward into the future of her filmmaking career, Billings says she would love to continue learning how to express herself and allow the world to see how she interprets the world around us.

“As a trans woman, I know I’ve not been dealt the greatest hand,” she said. “I know what it’s like to look at those around you and think that you won’t be able to reach their heights because of who you are. But I just want my work to show people that you can be something. You can achieve your dreams, you can pursue your passions. Even if the cards are not in your corner, you can still create your own corner.”

The premieres for both of Emily’s upcoming projects, “Phantom Pain” and “Dreams of Murder,” will be held on April 28th in the Discover Shelby Theatre from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is open to all and free of charge.

To follow Emily and keep up with her work, you can find her on Instagram @emilybillingsfilm.