ChomPics Guest Post- Lizette Arocha, "The Bite" Executive Producer

For the past month, I have loved reading all the guest blog posts from everyone involved with ChomPics. In general, there are two types of posts – the sentimental ones and the funny ones. (Fittingly, the funny ones tend to come from the writers and actors of Pressed.) I’m no comedian, so this is going to be one of the sentimental ones.

Last year I wrote a blog post about my experience as Director of Cinematography of the pilot of "Off University" (you should go read it!). In it I talked about how hard it was to bring myself to check the box saying I was interested in a team director position. I skipped over it, thought about it, hesitated, and finally checked it and submitted my application before I could change my mind again – and it was the best decision I could’ve taken. From that I learned to not be afraid to challenge myself, and by the end of the school year I had my mind made up that I would be a Director this year.

Much to my surprise, when the applications opened this past summer, ChomPics announced it was creating two new projects – podcasts and an entertainment news show. Immediately I knew that I wanted to be a part of that entertainment news show. No, scratch that. Immediately I knew that I wanted to be one of the people in charge of that entertainment news show. No more hesitation. No more doubts. When I filled out my application, I checked the “Producer” box right away. On the miniseries application, I checked the “Director” box without a second thought. I knew that I was perfectly capable to fulfill these positions, and there was no reason to sell myself short.

Being a part of The Bite has been the highlight of my senior year. It was definitely challenging, but I have learned so much and worked with some great people in the process. I want to give a special shout out to my co-Executive Producers, Alyssa and Michelle. We each brought different strengths to the table and combined them to make a great team. I am extremely proud of what the entire Bite team – EPs, APs, reporters, techs - has accomplished. We have produced seven episodes, and we still have one more to go. We were nominated for an award from the National Broadcasting Society Undergraduate Electronic Media Competition! We may not have won, but just being nominated is amazing. To our Associate Producers – Briley, Elena, Liz – we will soon entrust the torch to you. I look forward to seeing The Bite back in my news feed come fall.

What about that “Director” box I checked? Well, I’m happy to say that I am the Director of Episode 5 of Pressed. Going into it I was nervous, but I was crazy prepared, and those were the smoothest filming days I have ever been on, let alone been in charge of. That process was definitely a confidence boost in my own skills.

Being a part of ChomPics was one of my greatest college experiences. I have learned so much about the craft and about myself, I have met amazing people and made great friends, and I have contributed to amazing productions that I am extremely proud of. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Thank you Beth and Connor for having the courage and the drive to create and maintain this great organization, which has given opportunities that simply didn’t exist before to so many people, and thank you for letting me be a part of it!

#lizettearocha #thebite #chompics #pressed #gatornbs