Inside The Collective

Building My Presence Matters More Than I Thought One of the biggest takeaways I got from my strategic presentation course is how important it is to actually build my presence, not just talk about what I want to do. Before this class, I had ideas, projects, and goals, but I wasn’t really putting myself out there in a consistent way. Using platforms like LinkedIn and building my own website showed me that how I present myself matters just as much as the work itself. It’s not en

Fight Club (1999) : Promotional Still (Cinezapping.com) https://www.cinezapping.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fight-Club-620x350.jpg Podcast: https://audiomack.com/ajt216/song/episode-1-you-do-not-talk-about-what In this first episode of Off Script, I talk through how Fight Club completely shifted the way I look at movies. Instead of just watching films for story, I break down how I’ve started paying attention to how everything is built, editing, pacing, narration, and all t

I used to believe that the person I was during my senior year of high school would stay mostly the same throughout my life. I thought my personality, my habits, and even the way I saw the world would remain consistent. But since then, life has shown me otherwise in the most natural way. Between then and now, I have met so many different people who have influenced how I think, how I communicate, and how I understand myself. I have also had experiences that involved traveling a

Looking back on this course and the program overall, I think the biggest thing I am taking with me is learning how to move with more intention. It was not just about finishing assignments but about thinking about my future and how everything connects to what I want to do long-term. One of my main takeaways is the importance of building and maintaining a personal brand. I learned that it is not enough to have good work. You also need to present yourself consistently across dif

One of the best trips of my life was when I went to Hong Kong for 5 days with my roommate Manuel from Singapore and my friends Carlos from Washington and Mathis from France. We were all studying abroad in Korea and decided to just go for it. The crazy part is we basically backpacked the whole trip with no hotel or Airbnb. Every day we were just figuring things out as we went. We still did a lot of the main tourist stuff like going to Victoria Peak and exploring different isla

Step 1: Accept where you are and be real about it Japan, 2025 (Photographed by Ace Winters) Sometimes things just suck and there is no way around that. But being at your lowest point is not the end, it just means there is only one direction left and that is up. Instead of running from it, face it. Understand what is going wrong and why. When you accept your situation, you take control of it. That mindset shift matters more than anything. Step 2: Start now, not later (Photogra

In the next 10 years, I see myself doing what I love and running my own media production company. I want to be my own boss and make the kind of projects that really show my vision. I want to have connections all over the world, working with people from different places and learning from them. I want to make work that matters, reaches a lot of people, and leaves a mark. https://st.depositphotos.com/1496410/4798/v/600/depositphotos_47987641-stock-illustration-jubilee-10-years.j

A new documentary series created by The Winters Collective, interviewing creatives all around the world from different backgrounds. Directed, Shot, and edited by Ace Winters (2026) Research Sources and Their Impact The most helpful source for me was honestly my own interview with Zion B. Instead of just reading articles or watching videos, I was able to learn directly from someone who is actually living what my topic is about. He’s an artist who has been using social media an

One problem I sometimes deal with is feeling overwhelmed when I have too many responsibilities at once. Between school, work, and personal projects, it can feel like everything is happening at the same time. When that happens, it becomes harder to stay motivated and I start feeling mentally drained. During the semester especially, assignments, deadlines, and other responsibilities can build up quickly. If I am not careful, that stress can affect my focus and overall mood. One

A video on learning the basics of editing a cinematic video For this project, I created a tutorial video that explains some of the basic steps behind creating a cinematic video. In the tutorial I walk through my editing process, including how to select the right clips, choose a song that fits the mood, sync the visuals to the music, and add things like transitions, sound effects, and text. The goal of the video is to simplify the editing process and show beginners that making

Creating a Website That Actually Represents You In today’s digital world, having strong web development skills is more than just knowing how to code. It’s about knowing how to present yourself. A website is usually the first impression people get of you, your work, or your brand. Because of that, it needs to feel intentional. When I started focusing more on building websites, I realized that good design is not random. Every choice should connect back to a purpose. Steps to Bu

"Always Surround Yourself with people who are better than you" - Donny Osmond (1957 - Present) The first time I heard this quote and its message wasn’t from Donny Osmond himself, even though he’s most commonly credited for it. I actually came across it on my Instagram explore page in a short podcast clip from Pharrell Williams. Pharrell is one of my favorite producers, designers, and creatives of all time, and someone I’ve always looked up to as a role model, so the message i

Goodfellas (1990) One way or another, film has shaped the world around me. Growing up, I had a father who acted like he was in a movie at all times and who occasionally introduced me to blockbuster hits and classic films from the early ’90s through the 2000s. On top of that, I would frequently binge-watch both old and new films that reflected current issues, problems, or relationships in my own life. Watching them often feels like a strange kind of déjà vu, as if I’m experien

For my capstone project I would like to create a cinematic video essay since it mixes storytelling, fine visuals, and digital content creation. This format appeals to me the most because I can practice my writing abilities and camera work which can translate to my future profession in film and tv. I plan on using strong visuals and a script to help communicate my ideas effectively. A topic I want to explore is how digital spaces give marginalized voices visibility. Many racia

I am a senior at Rutgers University, majoring in Cinema Studies and minoring in Digital Communication in Media. I am an aspiring filmmaker and director who's always creating art. I love listening and making music as well as creating online content and video editing. Sunshine Benzi NYC Popup Event I have done a variety of work from shooting and editing BTS for musical artist events and performances to creative directing brand photoshoots and capturing lifestyle and portrait ph