Back in the summer of 2014, my neighborhood buddies and I released the home-video smash hit "Yard Wars." A visual spectacle like none other, audiences were dazzled by our illegibly shaky footage, nonexistent sets, and choppy lightsaber PNGs added frame-by-frame on my iPod. Critics raved (read: our parents said they were very proud of us) and 4th Grade Joe Burke was officially off to the races.

The art of moving pictures has fascinated me from the moment I watched "A New Hope" while home sick. I spent the better part of my childhood dashing around my house with tin foil hats and Nerf guns, followed closely by my reluctant cameraperson/sister whose chores I'd promised I'd do in exchange. My afternoons were spent poring over YouTube videos on how to create the latest Marvel superhero effects so I could amaze my 200 Instagram followers.

It was a thrilling journey to answer that ever-present question: "how can I do better?"

I've spent years honing my craft however possible. My senior year of high school, I took 3rd Place at the Future Business Leaders of America 3D Animation conference. When it came time to fund my Eagle Scout project, you can bet the GoFundMe video was alight with explosions and green screens. Today I'm a graduate from Emerson College, where I've delved further into Visual Effects, Sound Design, VR Game Development, Virtual Production, and 3D Animation.

This industry captures my wonder like nothing else, and I eagerly await the chance to jump in further. Thank you in advance for any and all opportunities!