BIOGRAPHY
MARISSA WOODS
I am an environmental enthusiast, animal lover and aspiring wildlife filmmaker. I discovered my love for film and photography while working at an animal shelter in Florida. I wanted to find a way to help homeless pets get noticed by members of the community who may not see them otherwise. So, I bought a camera and started bringing it to work every day. I worked on creating engaging photos and short videos of adoptable pets for our shelter’s social media channels. I would often find myself editing videos and reviewing photos hours after my workday ended and even on my days off. And it made me proud to hear visitors say they made the trip to the shelter because of a video they saw online.
I had been working at my local SPCA for just over five years when I decided I wanted to pursue a career in visual storytelling. In 2018, I moved to the DC area to start an MFA program at American University studying Film and Media Arts.
One of my favorite things about being a filmmaker is getting to meet people from all walks of life and listening to their stories. I believe in lifelong learning, so I’m always excited to make connections with people, places, and organizations that widen my understanding of the world.
