When I first met Mudia two years ago, in introduction to television studies with Professor Sunka Simon, I immediately admired his laid-back disposition. He seemed like the upperclassman who had all the answers safely tucked away in his camera. So when he apologized for coming a few minutes late to our interview and began fiddling with a can of water, I was ready to learn a whole new side of him.
I began by asking Mudia what he thought about being a double major in film and media studies and economics. He said both are very competitive. Although he has a “love-hate relationship” with economics, it was his first film class at Swat that reignited his love for film, an extremely memorable aspect of his childhood. “One of my core memories from childhood is my mom taking me to Blockbuster every Friday after school. It was almost religious for us.” Movies, he explained, were about community. “Another [core memory] was phases one through four of Marvel, when the movie theater lines would go out the doors, and you knew you’d have to get there early for good seats.” The experience of going through those moments in theaters still sticks with him: “I think the first time I ever cried happy tears was during the ending of ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ All my friends were out of their seats. It was unreal.” For Mudia, those memories continue to motivate him. “All those memories are what keep me going, to commit to what I want to do: for that kid to hopefully in the future be outside waiting to watch a movie and just cry some happy tears.”
I was curious how Mudia reconciled this childhood love for film with the demands of an academic setting, far removed from the ritual of Friday nights watching blockbuster films. “It’s something that I’ve had to learn,” he admitted: “to make use of what is here right now. It wasn’t overnight that I came to that realization. Even though I didn’t go abroad, I am fortunate enough to take classes at places like [University of Pennsylvania], so that’s a huge plus.”
For Mudia, who’s drawn to production and behind-the-scenes work, classes at UPenn like advanced screenwriting and writing for television rekindled his passion for film and media studies. Still, the choice to major in the field hasn’t come easy. “Do I want to go into this industry?” is a question Mudia has asked himself constantly. “It seems very cutthroat — there’s a lot of nepotism … and it’s definitely been something that’s on my mind. Am I wasting my time? Am I not? But I’m betting on myself.”
Mudia’s outlook on choosing what’s right for him, regardless of the state of “the industry,” was extremely refreshing. I asked him where this confidence comes from. Although he’s a senior, he revealed, “I don’t know if I’m able to give people advice. There’s two [first years] I met for dinner, and they asked me, ‘Is there any advice you can give us?’ I told them, ‘Be true to yourself.’ I think it’s important to do that while also being empathetic and able to collaborate with others.”
I pressed further, wanting to know more about how conformity had shaped his experience, particularly as a film and media studies major. “A lot of people have preconceived notions about different majors,” he explained. “When I tell people that I’m a film and econ [major], most people are surprised. I think once you get into [the] flow of doing what you love, good things will come.”
For Mudia, good things have come by way of creative risk taking. Throughout his three years at Swarthmore, Mudia has consistently placed himself outside of his comfort zone. Beyond film, he’s enrolled in classes ranging from acting I to sculpture II: metal. Outside of classes, he’s deeply fascinated by interior design. All his varied interests have influenced his creative process behind a short film satire about gentrification in Harlem, NY.
Now, he’s channeling that same energy into his current project. Mudia is in the early stage of starting a group of creatives (working title “Paparrazi”) that helps members of the campus community with “whatever [they] want to create, whether it’s TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram Reels.” Since it’s his last year at Swat, Mudia wants to “go full throttle” on his independent work.
Before we wrapped up our interview, I had to ask Mudia about his post-graduate plans. He’s considering a master’s degree in film after taking a gap year to build his portfolio.
“I think a lot of people are afraid to do something new [because] their risk appetite is too low, and I get it. The unknown is scary. But you’ll never create something new without trying. I think trying also brings me a little thrill. Will I make it? Will I not? TBD. That attitude energizes me.”
Seeing Mudia open up about his struggles and aspirations gave me a sense of kinship. As a fellow film and media studies major, I recognize that it’s difficult to juggle others’ notions with your passions. Regardless of your major, what others think of you, or your future plans, Mudia illustrates that we should always take the chance to try something new.
