Annabelle Saco (’23 Film) has been holding a camera since she was just a kid. What started as sunshine-filled summer recap videos with friends evolved into a powerhouse career in social media – with over 62K followers on TikTok – and freelance videography. Annabelle’s freelance business, ShotByAnnabelle, has taken her from the sidelines with the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons to the sets of artists like Sexyy Red and Sommer Ray. Annabelle is the ultimate doer. She’s proof that when you combine a “try anything” attitude with professional skills, you don’t just follow a career path – you build your own.

How did you get here? When did you know this career path was for you?

When I was in sixth grade, I took a trip to California. I brought my camera and made a video. That was the moment when I thought there’s nothing else I’m going to do in life but film videos. I started off watching YouTubers – beauty gurus and bloggers, but also photographers like Peter McKinnon. That’s how I found an interest in both video production and photography, and content creation and social media. Then I started making videos with my friends during the summer. I’d make a summer edit every single year. I created a YouTube account and Instagram accounts focused on beauty and makeup. My cousin actually – she went to CCS – and I’d watch her make all these projects at home. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. That’s what struck me to go to CCS. I told my family that if I didn’t get into CCS, I wasn’t going to school. I’m very blessed that I knew at a young age what I wanted to do.

You have so many projects moving at once. How do you stay motivated?

One thing about me is I’m very family oriented. My family has done so much for me growing up. They’ve provided for me, and they’re my biggest supporters. So my drive to work hard every single day is my family, because one day I want to be able to provide that for them. Whether that’s tomorrow or 10 years from now, I know it will happen because it’s really what inspires me. They’re such hard workers. They came here with nothing and gave me everything.

Your content is all so diverse. Where do you find creative inspiration?

When I was younger making my summer videos, it was always the music that drove that. I love editing my videos to the beat of the music. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to it. So every little beat has to match. Songs that have really high energy, high beats are what I love. But then, as a content creator, it’s also watching other people’s content and seeing what they’re creating, which makes me want to create 10 times more. I think the two go hand in hand, and that’s what I love about it. Then when it came to school, that is what helped me grow as a creator and with my video production skills. One thing that I think really sets me apart as a creator is the technical background that I’ve gained from school. Even if it’s just me vlogging and doing a food review, I think about the lighting, and the way I want to cut my video. In social media everything’s so fast cut, and people don’t realize that no one wants to even hear you breathe. That’s something that I learned a little bit about in school. I am able to take the background of knowledge that I have and understand what I have to adjust for any situation. I feel like everything I learned at CCS helped me with my editing now as a creator, which is really such an advantage, especially when it comes to working with brands.

What’s it like seeing your work come to life?

Seeing my work come to life is really such a cool experience, especially in school. There was this one project that I still think about to this day. I show everyone it. I did a Red Bull commercial for fun. It was a four-day production with my friend, where I got to try so many different things that I never thought I could do. I literally wouldn’t stop talking about it, and I still don’t. It was awesome. It’s the same with my content creation work. Sometimes I don’t know what I’m filming until the day of. Then, when I get to the final edit, I watch it over and over and over again because I’m so proud of the work that I put out. One thing that I live by is, “You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.” I think it is what has gotten me this far. I’ve worked with organizations like the Detroit Pistons, the Red Wings and the Tigers. I’ve also worked with Lions’ players and other companies. Honestly, five years ago, I would’ve never imagined myself working with them. It is very rewarding. If you’re just sitting down and not taking the chances, you’re not going to get where you want to be. Going out and asking people for what I want, and not being afraid to get a “no,” has also led me to work with Sexyy Red, Sommer Ray, and other artists, athletes and influencers. I’s really eye-opening to how far you can go with something like this.

What is it that you love most about being a freelancer?

One thing I love about my career is the flexibility and freedom I have. Of course, I can go out and get a corporate job, nine-to-five – and that’s just as amazing – but I love being a freelancer because I’m not just stuck to one thing. I get to do so many different things. One day I’m sitting in a Lambo going 90 miles an hour, then the next, I’m filming videos for a restaurant or the grand opening for a med spa. I’m all for experiences and opportunities, and I love being able to do a little bit of everything.

You’ve gained quite the following online. What’s your ultimate goal?

My ultimate goal is to inspire others to go after their dreams. That’s one thing that I really do try to push. If you have a dream at such a young age, God would not put that in your heart if it wasn’t meant for you. That’s really what keeps me going. I don’t give up because I know it’s what I’m meant to do. I want to be that comfort creator for someone if they’re feeling down. I want to make others happy.

Is there a “bucket list” goal you’re still chasing?

I’m striving towards working with the Detroit Lions. One day, I want to be on the field. I actually made a video that was pitching myself as a social media coordinator. I knew that I had to do something that was going to stick out, and that no one else had done. So I went on social media, like I do, and I filmed a video about why they should choose me. I actually got a lot of attention on both Instagram and TikTok. So many people, even Lions’ players, were reposting it. I love Detroit sports. There’s so much hype around them. One day I’ll be on that field, one day.

How do you feel CCS prepared you for this career?

There are so many ways that CCS helped me prepare for my career. The AVC (Audio Visual Center) was amazing. I got to work with different kinds of equipment, and knowing all of the advantages and disadvantages of equipment really helps as a creator. And the staff there, they’re so supportive. Jerome, Laurie and even Amber herself. All the people there are really amazing. They push you to keep trying. Having a social media presence wasn’t very normal in the film industry, just because it’s different than an experimental film or commercials – and those professors and staff really pushed me and said, “You’re going to make it so far,” and that stayed deep in my heart. I really appreciate them for that. As well as classes, like sound design. I always struggled in school to take what I learned to the next year with me. But now, I really try to think of every single thing about the lighting and sound for every shoot. Learning how to work as a team. That really helped me. Being able to work with others in the studio was really, really nice.

What would you say to a student or parent who is apprehensive about CCS, or to pursuing a creative career?

Nothing is guaranteed. I know being in a creative field, it’s very out of the norm. We’re all told to go to a nine-to-five. Get that job. Be in the corporate world. And, of course, those are great. I’m not downing it. I think those people work just as hard as we do. But I really do think it’s important that, if you have a dream, to not be afraid to do it. The only ones who fail are the ones who stop trying. And I think, if you really do love something, there’s no way you can fail. I was very blessed that my parents were very supportive of this. Especially in the Middle Eastern culture, we’re told to become a lawyer, become a doctor. My family saw the passion that I had for this, and they believed in me just as much. If you’re a friend or a parent of someone whose dream it is to go to a school like CCS, just try to be supportive. Because the only reason that they might not be doing it is that they don’t feel they have that supportive system. I really do think that, if they have a passion for it, they are going to make it so much further than anyone could ever imagine. Support the artists and designers in your life. Support everyone in the arts and the creative industries. All they want is a support system behind them. I think that’s what everyone deserves. Because creatives are – honestly, we wouldn’t be anywhere without creatives, in my opinion.

I would love to know what you would tell baby Annabelle – if you could go back in time.

I could cry thinking about this. If I had to say one thing to little Annabelle, it’s to not give up on your dreams, and look at how far you’ve come. I think it’s so beautiful that, even though you did have some bullies in the past, you didn’t let that stop you now. And nothing will stop me. No one is going to stop me from living out my dreams.