OFFICAL STATEMENT:

At five years old, I sat in my car seat as my mom drove around the parking lot, attempting to put me asleep. My mom and my older sister were scheduled to see the midnight showing of one of the very first Tyler Perry Films. They had no one to watch me that night, so I was along for the ride. My mom’s honest efforts were of no avail. I was determined to stay up and see whatever movie everybody was so excited about. I walked into the theatre, proud that I was getting to be a "big girl". As the film played, I sat silent the whole time. Finally, after the movie was over I managed to utter the words “did she ever go back to her first husband?” 

That, was the non-official beginning of my film career. I would later find out that the name of the movie was the infamous, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman''. As a child, I wouldn’t have been able to articulate what pulled me into the film, but I believe that the dynamic of being snatched up into a narrative and taken along for the ride completely intrigued my young mind. 

Those childhood moments rapidly turned into my life ministry. In a world of division and fear, my desire is to use the medium of film and cinema for communication, understanding, and reconciliation. When it comes to hot button issues, there are usually two narratives that play tug-of-war. However, there is always a third narrative that goten gets  overlooked, and seeing this narrative is the missing link to our goal of reconciling two ideas. 

     As I move forward in my education, I will be focusing on directing, screenwriting, editing, and producing. Not only will each of these areas prepare me to create and fortify the visions I have, but they will also help me to come alongside others in creating their visions as well. I don't care for riches and noterity. 

However, I care about the person who doesn't speak english who can love and relate to my films. I care about the person who is bed ridden but can freely join in the cinematic journey; forgetting about the limitations of their body. I care about the person who sees one of my films, stops to humbly examines their own flaws, and decides to do something different. 

"All simply because of a film??" one might question. However film is not just only entertainment; it’s an awakening. Every time someone watches one of my films I want them to be that five year old in the theatre, watching with full attention, leaving forever changed. 

-Mariah Leigh Maynard

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19