Last week, we were super excited to welcome back Madi Boll, a talented filmmaker and proud Concordia alumna from the Class of 2016! A USC-trained film director with a portfolio that includes work on Creed III, Marvel’s Ironheart, and Apple TV’s The Morning Show, Madi shared her industry expertise with students in an engaging presentation.
Always carrying a film camera with her, Madi really turns creativity and storytelling into a daily habit. During her talk at Concordia, “Luck Meets Preparation: Finding Success in Creative Industries,” she provided valuable insights into navigating the artistic and business sides of filmmaking. She discussed the importance of honing one’s craft, the pros and cons of formal film education versus real-world experience, and how to sustain creativity in competitive fields. Her top tip? “You have to invest in your passion, no matter what, and never give up!”
At just 11 years old, Madi created her first video project—a film about her brother’s autism that she both wrote and directed. It went on to be showcased at several international student film festivals, and that’s when she realized the powerful impact her storytelling could have. Her passion and talent then led her to USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts.
Beyond her formal presentation, Madi also joined Mr. Sam King’s Film Studies class, where students had the unique opportunity to dissect one of her music videos, “Long Hair.” This hands-on session allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of the storytelling and technical choices behind professional productions. She even spent time with our NHD students, sharing her documentary filmmaking experiences.
“Filmmaking isn’t as glamorous as it looks,” Madi says, totally keeping it real. Having worked on some of Hollywood’s most exciting projects, she often put in 12 to 16 hours a day, constantly tackling challenges and building resilience. “You have to love it. If you don’t love it, it’s not worth it.”
Madi’s journey from Concordia to Hollywood is the ultimate inspiration for any creative with dreams, She shows us that with passion, persistence, and preparation, success is totally within reach.
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