Rachel Gordon
“ON YOUR RADAR” IS A WEEKLY GRAD FILM NEWS SEGMENT THAT FEATURES A STUDENT PICKED AT RANDOM.
RACHEL GORDON IS CURRENTLY A 3RD YEAR DUAL DEGREE STUDENT AT GRAD FILM. WE ASKED HER A FEW QUESTIONS, AND HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY:
1. Where do you consider home and what is it like there?
Home is wherever my partner and our new puppy are. We’ve been on two cross-country roadtrips, and I love exploring places that are different from what I know. I’ve had lots of homes throughout my life and have found happy places in different places: New Jersey, where I grew up and lived some of the experiences I’m hoping my characters convey; Philly, where I went to college for mechanical engineering, got married, and decided to become a filmmaker; Brooklyn, my latest NYC home. On our road trips, our van is our anchor. Each place has shown me something different about myself.
2. What is currently inspiring you as a filmmaker?
I am inspired by my family and the stories they tell, and fascinated by different versions of the same memory. I am exploring experiences from my adolescence from the perspective of my divorced parents. We’ve become closer through their vulnerability and willingness to engage about the past.
3. What has been your most rewarding experience at NYU Tisch Grad Film so far?
The first time I got to direct a project was for my second year film – the first day on set was an unbelievable rush and incredibly emotional day. My first career was in data analytics for media and government; I felt compelled to share stories but never knew I could actually make something like this. After that first day, I felt like I’d found my passion and the first job I ever really loved doing.