Adam Harper

Tell us about your work/ research. What kinds of things do you do?

My work can vary based on the project at hand. For one, I have lots of experience with post-production and editing software, creating and editing videos ranging from personal interviews, weddings, and even YouTube gaming videos. Within my broadcasting, I evaluate independent camera angles and image quality, ensuring that whichever videos are sent to live image are the best quality they can be. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty at work either. On some recent jobs, I have worked as a production assistant, setting up film sets, lugging equipment from scene to scene, making deliveries and equipment runs, and even escorting talent to/from our sites, as I once had to drive three towns over to make sure our actor could get to their flight on time. Film can be pretty varied in terms of what exactly is involved in the work, but that's part of the fun!
 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

Ever since I was young, I loved watching movies and television. The first movie I ever saw in theaters was Finding Nemo, a pretty strong indicator of where my career would end up (even though my mom says that I was more interested in the soft accent lights on the stairs than the actual movie). I loved watching different shows like cartoons, nature documentaries, and sports. My favorites that led to me wanting to enter this field had to have been River Monsters, Finding Bigfoot, Extinct or Alive, and when it was on, Shark Week! Especially for a kid growing up in the desert, whose only exposure to the ocean was his family's fish market in its last years of operation, shows like these helped me to experience a part of the world that I wouldn't otherwise get to see! Eventually, I wanted to get into the film & tv industry, and share these experiences with the world, so that other people could experience the profound wonder that the world has to offer like I did. Not only that, but i'm somewhat of a story buff, I love telling and listening to stories, so being able to enter an industry that could allow me to help share new stories with the world means a lot to me!
 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

I don't believe there is one person, or even a couple of people who encouraged me the most. Truthfully, it was everyone in my life! First and foremost being my family, who has constantly supported me every step of the way, to whom even with all I have learned in my life, I could not properly express my gratitude for. My friends, who stuck with me through laughter and through learning for all these years helped me to reach for new heights and find my interests in life and pursue them. Arguably one of the most direct influences was my teachers and mentors, from both high school and beyond, who helped to teach me everything I know about this field and helped me to chase down my passions. My mom always says, "...it takes a village to raise a child" and that pretty easily sums up how I feel about the most encouraging force in my life.
 

What element of your work/ study do you think is the most fascinating?

Within film, the most fascinating thing to me is the storytelling aspect. Humans are bound and connected by the stories we tell, and films allow us to express so much depth and meaning and be able to tell the world some of our experiences, or entirely create new ones with its adaptability towards fictional avenues. It allows us to express ourselves and see the world we live in an entirely different light, even if it's just for an hour and a half. As for the marine aspects of my career, it's the journey into the unknown! For a small desert boy, the ocean seemed so alien to me, but the more I learned about it, the more fascinating and incredible things I came to discover! I can't wait to step even further into this world with the Ocean Exploration Trust and the crew of the E/V Nautilus and discover something else new and exciting!
 

How did you get involved with Ocean Exploration Trust? How did you become part of the expedition team?

I started out as a regular viewer of the channel! I would tune into the livestreams while doing homework in college, and after I graduated and started working in my field, I eventually saw the postings for the Science and Engineering Internship Program, and that one of their emphasis pathways was in video! I applied to the program and the rest was history!
 

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Many of the jobs and positions I held in college helped to lead me to my current career. Back at the University of Arizona, I started my second year of college as the Lead Student Ambassador for the School of Theater, Film & Television, where I was in charge of representing the program to interested students, answering any questions they might have about the program, and even coordinating our other Student Ambassadors to help run our annual student thesis film showcase "I Dream in Widescreen" which took place at the historic Fox Theater. From there, I also got the chance to work with the University of Arizona Hockey team as a Technical Director on their game day broadcasts. After my first season, I was approached by the Media Director, and asked to fill in next year as Acting Media Director while he went on personal leave in the midst of the following hockey season. I was able to work with and coordinate a team of interns to complete regular social media posts, conduct our game day livestreams, and film/collect game day assets throughout the week beforehand. Though i've worn many hats in my life, these experiences led most directly to my current career path!
 

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television Production -- The University of Arizona 2024

Adobe Premiere Pro Certified 2019
 

What are your hobbies?

I am a huge fan of tabletop games, and have ran a few in various settings (D&D, Pokémon, Fallout). I also like watching action/adventure movies and nature documentaries. As a band nerd, I also like to listen to music of various genres. Sometimes I even like tuning into a podcast, or watching video essays because I like to listen to what other people think of the world around us. I know that games and videos don't exactly seem like hobbies, but it's how I like to occupy my time between work and hanging out with my friends! Recently, i've been doing more hikes and jogging, and i've been trying my hand at grilling when the weather allows!
 

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

Try everything! Even small steps can go a long way to developing your career. And no matter what you do, make sure that you give everything you do 100%. One of the earliest film jobs I was able to get in this industry was actually from my band teacher in high school, when she got me my first internship with a local advertising company. You never know where life can take you, or how one job you had could lead you into the field you want to get into! The more experiences you have, the more well-rounded you will be!