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Freetown, Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone
In March 2024, Elena traveled with five other University of Illinois College of Media students to Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. The purpose of the 30-hour journey was to produce a documentary about period poverty in the country. Many women around the world lack the supplies or education necessary to take care of their menstrual cycle, preventing them from attending school or working. The documentary follows Uman Tok, a grassroots NGO made up of tailors using their skills to create reusable period pads. Uman Tok distributes these pads to schools in Sierra Leone, along with reproductive health and sexual education.
Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul, Illinois
In the Spring of 2024, Elena was hired as a freelance videographer by an Illinois Philanthropic Educational Organization, or PEO. She created three videos to be showcased at the annual PEO conference in Peoria, Illinois that summer. Elena directed, produced and edited the content while working with many PEO members to accommodate their requests and feedback.
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Through the University of Illinois Foundation, Elena has been fortunate to meet and interview numerous donors. One of them is A. Mark Neuman, a Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate and the main donor to the Ellnora Guitar Festival at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts. Elena interviewed Mark specifically about what inspires him to give back to the U of I and make positive change in young people today.
Urbana, Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Elena worked as a video production assistant for the Grainger College of Engineering on a video project promoting the University of Illinois. Elena set up microphones, fills, lights and other production equipment for a team of skilled videographers and directors. The project is still in progress and will air in the fall of 2025.
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