“Clueless” can truly change lives.
At least, this has been true in the life of senior Abby McCormic, a film major at Taylor. When choosing a film that had impacted her the most, “Clueless” was the first thing to come to mind.
“I absolutely love the movie ‘Clueless,’” said McCormic. “I love the fashion and the classic-ness that is Brittany Murphy and Alicia Silverstone. I love how Cher is so fabulous and cool, but she also knows her value as a woman and knows that being kind to others is always in style.”
Films like this one have inspired McCormic since the early days of middle school. When she was assigned a project or an assignment, her mind instantly went into a space where she imagined her submission as a film project.
She wore many hats in these middle school production endeavors — directing, shooting, acting and editing each of her videos.
“I think my teachers knew me as the girl who could turn any subject into a short film,” McCormic said.
She continued this trend in high school, gaining skills as she continued to turn each project into a full-fledged project.
It was not until she reached her senior year of high school, when it became time to choose a major for her upcoming college years, that she knew this could be something she could make her career.
However, with her time at Taylor coming to an end, McCormic shared the impact that film and the department itself at Taylor has had in her life.
“I chose film because I have always been creatively inclined,” said McCormic. “Whether it was making up games or stories with my friends as a young girl, I always knew I would do something creative when I got older.”
The idea of storytelling as a career was what really sealed the deal for McCormic, but as a woman entering the film industry, a place highly dominated by older white men, she knew it would not be easy.
But she also knew it would be worth it.
While there is still a long way to go, women have been making their mark on the film industry more and more in recent years, and to be one of them would not only be an honor, but a historic moment in film history.
Greta Gerwig, one of these monumental female filmmakers, has been continuously proving that she has a place in the film industry. With her notable films “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” Gerwig has inspired many, including McCormic. She’s inspired McCormic to keep going and keep being unapologetically herself through her films.
“I love being a woman in film and that love is what drives me to keep going,” McCormic said. “I know that I will unfortunately have a more difficult time getting my foot in the door in Hollywood as opposed to a man, so I really have to allow my love for film to continue to be the foundation of my desire to be successful.”
By keeping her love of film as the motivating factor in her career in film, McCormic is unstoppable.
She recognizes the need for further diversity in film simply beyond the aspect of being a woman. Women in film should simply be the beginning of widespread change in the industry.
“Diversity of all kinds are important in film,” said McCormic. “It wouldn't be right to say that only the increase of women is important. Although it is great to have women in film, we need more Black, Asian, Latinx etc. leaders in film as well.”.
As she works towards her final film as a Taylor student with her peers, McCormic is staying true to all her beliefs while she helps produce, film and edit with her group-mates, seniors Aidan Strite, Matt Neu, Kendra Copeland and Beth Sluser.
The group is not taking their job lightly either. They all understand the meaning that film has in the world around them.
“Filmmakers have the chance to make an impact on someone’s life for a couple hours out of the day,” McCormic shared. “Although that is a lot of pressure, it also is meaningful in the sense that we can give someone hope, joy or simply an escape from their daily lives.”
McCormic is a filmmaker who knows her place in the world. She sees the potential, goes after what she wants and shares what she believes with those around her.
With a drive like this, McCormic is going to create serious change in the film industry and for the better.
