Daniel Moya Immersed in USC’s Film School

Daniel Moya is immersed in one of the things he loves the most in this world; making films. The Huntington High School Class of 2013 member is a freshman at the University of Southern California where he is studying in the prestigious School of Cinematic Arts.

“USC has been going really well,” Mr. Moya said. “It is a very professional and fun environment where everyone has the same hopes and aspirations. I’ve been meeting the most incredibly creative and talented people and have been lucky to collaborate with a few of them as well.”

The teenager admits his time at USC has been a “whirlwind” and he is constantly on the go. “My first semester here has been incredible and the experience I had hoped for in going to USC has not only been met, but surpassed,” Mr. Moya said. “It is a humbling and fantastic time in my life and I can’t imagine spending it anywhere other than where I am.”

Mr. Moya enjoyed a remarkable four-year run at Huntington High School, working closely with video arts teacher Heather Swan and developing unique and very well-received film projects. He has achieved what appears to be a seamless transition from high school to one of the most highly regarded film schools in the country.

“As I continue my time here, it is made more and more clear how beneficial and necessary my education in the video program at Huntington High School was,” Mr. Moya said. “I am confident when I say I would not have gotten into this school were it not for Mrs. Swan and all of the facilities we had access to. Film is a vital source of entertainment and artistic expression that requires a craft and that craft must be made available to students across the world. Huntington’s commitment to that mantra has helped me land at USC, which is something I will never be able to repay.”

Mr. Moya developed a series of sensational short films during his time at Huntington High School, displaying obvious talent as a writer, director, actor, editor and producer. Ever since he was a young boy, he has wanted to attend USC and now his dream has come true.

“My classes are interesting and my professors are clearly experts in their fields, so listening to them speak is something of a great privilege,” Mr. Moya said. “One of my professors is legendary film critic and historian Leonard Maltin so to say that has been an experience is an understatement. I’ve met a lot of industry people at various USC hosted events and have heard even more speak in a Q & As or lectures, which is always enlightening. A lot of successful filmmakers have graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts here so that inspiration is a welcome reminder that it is possible.”

The Huntington alum completed three years of high school video courses and engaged in a video internship as a senior, as well as producing his best work in a video portfolio development class. Mr. Moya was a contributing member of Huntington’s video club, writing the weekly newscast and headlining the “Daniel Moya at the Critic’s Corner” segment. The senior also participated in the drama club, Key club and Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the English Honor Society and the National Honor Society and was a fencer as a sophomore.

Mr. Moya and five of his friends at USC have started a YouTube sketch comedy group whose work, which while not appropriate for all audiences, falls into a genre and skill set that he has never tried before and “it’s quite exciting to be testing personal uncharted waters so early in my career here,” he said. “Luckily, it’s catching on in a pretty nice way and we are always creating new content in our free time; usually around 3 or 4 in the morning. That’s another interesting thing that you learn in college: sleep is entirely optional.”