Synopsis: Olivia, a determined toddler, conquers the rock wall, tunnel, and chain ladder at the big kid playground, but freezes at the towering slide. Facing her fear, she must decide whether to return to the little tikes playground or summon the courage to slide down and prove she’s ready for the big kids’ world. With a deep breath and a leap of bravery, Olivia takes the plunge, realizing that sometimes being big and brave starts with one small whoosh!
All original footage/audio shot on an iPhone 14 Pro Max by myself, Mariah Fuertes. Edited on iMovie (mobile/iPad version).
Podcast CCL: “Tiny Tantrums Podcast Intro” by Mariah Fuertes, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
Podcast Description:Tiny Tantrums is a lighthearted podcast series in which hosts vent frustrations found in everyday mundane life. It allows listeners to find community, share a laugh, and ultimately feel less alone in the world. This podcast aims to validate all feelings–positive and negative. While both the target audience and content are aimed at women, all are welcome into this safe space of gossip, emotions, and silliness.
Theme music:“Chelsea Loft Long” by iMovie Media. Available for use under the Apple license, royalty free.
Audio credits:
Voice- myself from 0:01-0:20.
“Bottle Cork” by iMovie Media. Available for use under the Apple license, royalty free.
“Bottle Pour” by iMovie Media. Available for use under the Apple license, royalty free.
This work, “Not So Gentle Lullaby”, is adapted from “Person’s Feet” by Bonnie Kittle, licensed under Unsplash, some rights reserved. “Not So Gentle Lullaby” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by Mariah Fuertes.
“Triple Rainbow” by Mariah Fuertes is licensed under CC BY 4.0
“This work, “Somewhere Over the Epcot Ball”, is adapted from “Triple Rainbow” by Mariah Fuertes, used under CC BY 4.0. “Somewhere Over the Epcot Ball” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by Mariah Fuertes.
Though the original photo is bright, fun, and colorful, it lacks focus. Because the image provides a full, rich background, my subject risks not being the center of attention. Since the eye is naturally drawn to the center of the image, where the infamous Epcot Ball is cradled between two rainbows, I decided to crop this original photo to emphasize a new focal point.
In the cropped image, the changes –though seemingly small– does impact the overall composition. The change in focal point allows the eye to focus solely on the Epcot Ball with little to no competition. I’ve also opted to simplify the background by cutting out unnecessary “white space”, eliminating the excess amount of blue sky and garden railing. At first, I was worried the people in the background would make the photo still appear busy, but I believe it adds a subtle dose of reality to the image overall–humanizing the experience of the location. I also think uncentering the Epcot Ball aided in elongating the photo, creating a more artistic appeal.
As someone who believed they would be a paleontologist growing up, this image immediately stood out to me. I was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia, recalling moments from my childhood filled with dinosaur figurines, books, and parties (yes, multiple). However, it’s a bittersweet feeling reconciling what the future currently is vs. what you thought it would be as a kid. Not to say that I’m unhappy, but there’s a tang of sadness when I realize I am no longer this little girl dusting off store-bought fossils in the middle of her room–I’m an adult, with a child of my own, watching time slip through my fingers.
It took a minute to find music that successfully aided in emoting those intense feelings. The track, “The Stars Look Different (Ziggy Stardust Mix)”, features an infusion of soft rock and strings, creating a melancholy ambiance that aligns with the intention of my image selection. Overall, I think the audio/image combination enhances meaning and provides additional depth.
Hi everyone! My name is Mariah Fuertes, it’s lovely to meet you all.
I’m a born and raised Florida native. I’ve lived in three different major cities: Tampa, Fort. Lauderdale, and now, Orlando. My husband and I enjoy the Central Florida area, however, every now and then I’m tempted to move North in order to experience the changing of the seasons.
My daughter (left) and I for Halloween 2024.
Currently, I wear two hats: I’m a part-time Library Assistant and a Reference Intern at Valencia College. I love what I do and feel fortunate enough to work in an environment that not only supports my career growth, but allows me to balance motherhood graciously. I have an almost two-year-old daughter who keeps me on my toes. She’s my pocket-sized best friend. My days off are usually spent playing with baby dolls, singing Ms. Rachel songs, and reading piles of books together.
I began my MSI journey in Fall of 2023 and will be graduating this Summer in 2025. I’m excited to begin my career as a librarian post graduation, as well as have the opportunity to (hopefully) expand upon my other interests/academic skills. I also have a BA in English from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Full Sail University. My goal is to either be a Youth Services or Academic Librarian.
In my spare time, I’m also an aspiring author of fantasy and literary fiction. I’m convinced that escaping reality is the best coping mechanism, as I’d much rather get lost in a floating castle than pay for a therapist. As a writer, my goal is to craft stories that challenge the unimaginable, and make even the most skeptical believe in the subtle magic of everyday life.
Little me, circa 2001.
When I’m not editing story drafts, you can find me binge watching Bravo TV, practicing beginner ballet, cozy gaming on my Switch, or strolling down Main Street at Walt Disney World.
I enjoy digital media creation, and have studied different variations of it in the past! I’m looking forward to learning about new programs, tips & tricks, and overall gaining some insight on how to properly incorporate digital content into the LIS field.
