Contributor Introduction – Casey Anderson 🇺🇸

Hi, I’m Casey! I’m writing to you from the brewery-loving, friendly state of Wisconsin. The charm of my lovely state lies in the generous spirit of our neighbors, the live music and outdoor yoga classes, the creamiest ice cream you can imagine, and the most beautiful lakes that glisten and beckon you for a swim.

I just recently graduated from UW-Madison, where I followed my passion for storytelling and writing right into a Communication Arts degree. Not only did my education strengthen my love of writing, it also gave me an inside look into the hands-on labor and planning necessary to make a film. After working in a small filmmaking group and experiencing the roles of assistant camera, director, boom operator, and gaffer, my understanding of and respect for television and movies have skyrocketed. I’ve gained such a deep appreciation for color choices, wardrobe, set design, and camera angles; these artistic choices, as well as the visual aesthetics of movies, lie at the heart of my love for film. Beautiful shots and perfectly chosen colors can create emotion, inspiration, and change perspectives–and that’s what art is all about.

A great example of what I tend to look for in movies would be the beautiful cinematography, blocking, production design, and unique color palettes such as the ones chosen for Wes Anderson’s effervescent The Grand Budapest Hotel, or Damien Chazelle’s bittersweet La La Land.

As much as I love movies, though, I have to admit that I don’t really stay up to date on them. During my free time, you can usually find me singing, writing songs and poetry, or creating content for TikTok (if you’re interested in getting to know a more creative side of me, you can find me on TikTok as @caseybeamusic or on Spotify as Casey Bea).

Overall, I’m a creative, open minded person who isn’t too picky about what movies I watch. I’ll watch just about anything that Netflix or Hulu is recommending! Specifically, I can’t turn down a good rom-com, feel good comedy, science fiction thriller, or just a beautiful, inspirational story. I’m your sappy, easily inspired, and oft-impressed movie watcher, so I can find something to appreciate in almost any film. However, movies are super time-consuming even before you set aside extra time to read blog posts about them, so I’ll only be writing about those truly special, inspirational films that moved me or caused me to reflect on things. Films that leave you feeling a little bit different, a little bit better, kinder, and softer at the end credits. For example, I will always recommend The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, an inspirational story of a man, played by Ben Stiller, discovering what it means to truly live a fulfilling life. These types of films, I believe, are the ones that are worth carrying with you.

I’m a very optimistic, curious young woman, so I hope to share with you the films that have changed and inspired small pieces of myself. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration in them, too.