My journey as a film student and a filmmaker has been heavily, heavily influenced by her [Gerwig] and her contribution to the film industry. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the doors she’s opened for women and girls like myself who are looking to write and direct their own films. Having said all of that, one may find it shocking, perhaps even disturbing that I only recently watched Frances Ha (2013) for the first time.

Whenever something scared me as a kid, I did my best not to think about it. I would avoid any and all things that reminded me of whatever it was that I saw on TV that freaked me out a bit. However, once I really started to become afraid of death and dying, I couldn't get enough of it. I couldn't look away from the TV when stuff about war or 9/11 came on. I didn't like it, but I also couldn't look away.

Tonight I watched White Noise. A film about death.