PHOSPHOR DIGITAL COVER
Anna Sitar
ANNA SITAR
Photography IRENE CHEN. Fashion NORA FOLEY.
Let’s start this off with something
[There are] so many good songs.
myself and a way to share my life
fun. I am going to say a few
I feel the same way. I fell in love
in a more artistic manner.
random words, and I want you
with her really early on, but I didn’t
to tell me the first thing that you
listen [to her music] as often when
I was thinking that film and
think of.
I got older. When the Eras Tour
directing would probably apply to
Okay, I think I’m ready.
came out, I had to relearn and
content creation, but I wouldn’t
memorize everything again.
have expected that engineering
Butterfly.
would too. Yeah, because she switched
Engineering [is a] really versatile
genres. She went from country to
career. It’s really handy when I have
Tiger lilies.
pop.
to build something for a video.
Love.
Exactly! It was the craziest
If I’m working on a car video, I
little turnaround. I still listen to
know how to fix the car. I have a
That’s fair. Tiger lilies are my
Reputation and Red and 1989. I
photography studio upstairs, and
favorite flower, so that’s why I said
love those, too.
I knew how to build that because
Monarch.
tiger lily.
it was partially gaffing, [which
Mine are peonies. I’m a sucker
Let’s talk about your background
I learned when I was studying
for [when they’re] light pink [and]
first. You graduated college with
for] my film degree. I worked in
unfolding. It’s so beautiful.
a degree in engineering, and then
medical technology when I was
you did a masters in film. Those
studying engineering. I worked for
Candle.
are two very versatile degrees or
a company called Stryker. They
Pumpkin spice.
career paths. Do you feel like you
were a really, really great company
use any of those skills in your day
to intern at while I was in school.
Tie dye.
to day now?
I went to school in the same town
Fourth of July.
Absolutely. A lot of engineering
where they were headquartered,
is finding patterns and predicting
so I was able to work part time
The color purple.
outcomes, which came in handy
during the school year, and
“Lavender Haze” [by] Taylor Swift.
when I first started on social
medical technology fit directly [into
Or, Speak Now.
media. I loved looking at the
what I was studying]. I loved doing
analytics and statistics on my
that work, but it’s [one] of those
Oddly enough, I was listening to
channel and seeing where the
things where as you grow, you find
Taylor Swift earlier.
trends were going. I could find
different passions in different areas
Oh my gosh, I love that!
patterns in the app, and [I was]
of your life.
able to predict where things were What is your favorite Taylor Swift
going. That definitely [helps] me
What sparked your interest in film
album?
with the more analytical side of
and directing after undergrad?
I’m a Speak Now girlie, so [that’s
what I do for a career now. My
Obviously, we’re very versatile
why I associate it with] the [color]
film degree falls more into what I
human beings, so we can be
purple. What about you?
do for work with cinematography,
interested in a lot of things, but
directing, writing, storyboarding,
engineering to film is a big jump.
I didn’t listen to a lot of her music
and storytelling. I’m able to use my
I’ve always had an underlying love
after Fearless. I remember being
film degree to elevate my channel
for film and videography. Growing
eight or nine and having that CD
as not only a social media platform,
up, I [loved] photography. The first
and wearing it out to the fullest.
but also a creative keepsake for
camera my dad got me was one of
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those little flip camcorders from Sam’s Club. He bought
Definitely. I feel like it’s always good to have that
me one for Christmas, and I would film all of our home
“just in case” career to fall back on. Like you said,
movies on it, make music videos, and put together
just because you went to film school doesn’t mean
little montages after we’d come back from vacation. I
that you lost your engineering degree, and honestly,
always loved [making videos]. I made YouTube videos
it gives you a bit of an advantage because you have
during my senior year in college. My second semester,
more knowledge and more skills.
I was posting videos so consistently, and I realized how
It’s also a great conversation starter. Everyone always
much I enjoyed doing it. What I found the most passion
asks about it. When I tell people that I went to school
[in], though, was making short films and storyboarding.
for film, they always ask me how I have an engineering
I loved watching things that made me feel something,
degree, and I get to tell them the story. It’s a good
and I wanted to be able to make art in that way as well.
thing to sell myself on.
When I was an intern at Stryker, the marketing team needed help making videos for their sales
You currently do content creation full time. Do you
[representatives], so they asked the interns if anybody
think you would ever want to branch out more into
knew how to use editing software. I knew how to
engineering or directing?
use Premiere Pro from making videos, so I offered to
I would love to get into directing, writing, and
help. I would take all the footage, go home, and put
filmmaking. Even now, I work on a lot of projects
it together [into] informational videos for the sales
behind the scenes. I’m always writing and storytelling
[representatives]. I understood the technology that we
because that’s something that I find a lot of relief
were talking about from engineering, but I also loved
in. When I first started posting on TikTok, social
storytelling, videography, and figuring out how to make
media allowed me to find that release and creative
it into a cohesive project.
expression. Since I do social media a lot more regularly
I really enjoyed video editing and being in more of a
now, it’s nice to keep exploring different avenues, like
creative role, and I knew that if I went to school [for]
writing scripts or storyboarding or any of my other
film for my masters, there wouldn’t be any loss. My
creative passions. I love having that feeling of self-
engineering degree wouldn’t go away. I would always
expression when it’s not tied to my work.
have that, so I might as well try something new. It was
Lately, I’ve been taking acting classes, which is so
something that felt fresh and gave me the chance
different from anything [I’ve] experienced before.
to [be] more creative and explore something I was
I don’t have a background in acting. I don’t have
passionate about outside of engineering. I always
a background in being on set or being in front of
loved [engineering], but it was [a] field that I knew I
the camera. I’ve always been behind the camera,
[could] have a career in [at any time]. If I had taken the
so it’s been fun to explore a different side of the
risk and done film first, I’m not sure how that would
entertainment industry and understand what it’s like
have panned out. When I started as a grad student,
to be in that role. It’s also helped to elevate my writing
they [told us] to prepare for the long game in film,
and my ability to understand how writers and actors
because we could potentially end up as an assistant
differentiate themselves from each other and interpret
to someone else for the next ten years. It was better
different scripts or scenes or storylines.
and easier to take the risk after I already had [my] first degree to fall back on. I was also a little bit older, and I
This goes back to what we were talking about a
had experience in corporate America, so I understood
moment ago. Humans are very versatile and have a lot
how to sell myself, how to be in a room, and how to
of different interests. I feel like a lot of people will find
be professional. Once I got into film school, I was
a hobby, and they won’t branch out beyond that, but
really excited to have the chance to follow my creative
you are picking up hobbies left and right.
passions.
I have a bad habit of being a jack of all trades. I can’t
PHO S P HOR • A NNA S ITA R
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like one thing. It’s my worst quality.
who has had five thousand artistic
engagement, excitement, and joy
Well, not my worst quality. (laughs)
hobbies throughout the years.
in your life. Even [when] I was in
I always think about whether it
From sculpting and songwriting
college studying engineering, I
would be better to focus on one
to theater and visual art, it all
was a substitute teacher, I taught
thing and love that one thing, but
snowballs.
a Zumba class at the rec center,
there’s something so exciting about
I’m sure you feel this too, but it
I was in an acapella group that
starting something new. That’s
makes you feel more like yourself
[performed competitively], and
what really engages me. Once I get
when you have a way to make
I was also on the swim team for
to a point where I know that I did
something. It’s [kind of] weird,
a little bit. It’s totally fine if your
it, I got good at it, and I enjoyed it,
[because] we are visually existent,
interests do fall under a similar
then I start thinking about what’s
but being able to take what’s
category — I think my younger
next and what’s new.
in your brain and make it into
brother is like that — but it’s
something physical has its own
exciting to explore different
How do you feel like learning all of
way of becoming an extension of
avenues of life, and it keeps you
these different skills has benefited
yourself, and makes you feel like
trying new things.
you personally?
you understand yourself in a better
Some of my most asked questions
It keeps me centered. It allows me
way.
when I was an engineer were about
to express myself. I think that’s
the things that I did outside of
where a lot of people struggle.
Why do you feel like it’s important
engineering. If you have different
They don’t know how to tap into
for other people to take that leap
passions that you can look to
their inner self, and I’m not afraid
into the unknown and try new
when one area of your life lacks
to have that inner child come out.
hobbies?
that feeling of excitement or feels
[I’m not going to say] that I don’t
Growing up, we’re told we should
too much like work, you’ll always
get easily embarrassed, but I like
be one thing. For example, if
have something else to turn to
feeling like a kid, and I like having
you want to pursue engineering,
that keeps you engaged and
that excitement and light in my
you should have an internship in
empowered and full [of] joy.
eyes when I’m trying something
engineering, and every job you do
new. It keeps me feeling excited
should be [in] engineering so that
Is there anything you haven’t
to wake up every morning and
your resume looks good for your
learned or experienced yet that
do those things. If you don’t have
engineering role. All your friends
you would like to do in the future?
something that you’re looking
will be in engineering because
I would love the opportunity to
forward to, it makes it difficult to
those are your study buddies.
be in a movie or TV show. My
be excited about [waking up] every
Those are the people you’re going
goal is to do that within the next
day. Whether it’s pottery classes
to see every day. It fits us in these
year. I want to book something
or my acting class on Mondays
boxes since the day [you] start
really exciting and have this new
and Wednesdays, I always have
high school.
project that I can really pour my
something that I’m looking forward
I think it’s important to be diverse
heart into and run with. I’ve really
to. It keeps me really engaged.
in your interests. If you put all of
been enjoying the psychology of
Even though a lot of my life is on
your love and excitement into one
acting and imagining [myself in]
the Internet, it keeps me centered
thing, it might not work out or
these different roles as different
in my own world.
you might get burnt out from only
individuals, but still as an extension
loving one thing. When you have a
of [myself]. [Doing] a movie
Self-expression is so important. I
million different things to turn to, it
[would] be really fun. I’ve taken two
mean, you’re talking to someone
gives [you] the opportunity to find
pottery classes, but I want to do
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PH O S PH O R • ANNA SITAR
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Dress GEYANNA YOUNESS.
more. I’ve only made cups [and]
back in person in the fall. We were
I’m able to use my social media as
bowls. I would love to tap into that
going to be part-time in the spring
a stepping stone for the next big
more, too. In Shenandoah, we rode
and full-time in the fall. I remember
thing, and to show the behind the
horses through the woods. I did
there was [definitely] a moment
scenes of other things I want [to]
that as a kid, so it tapped [into]
[where] I was thinking, do I go
achieve in life.
that inner child a little bit. I was so
back to school, or do I just pursue
I get asked about the longevity of
excited to get to be around horses.
this one career? I didn’t want to
my career all the time. On my flight
They have this very tranquil energy
quit grad school because I knew
home yesterday, a dad asked me
that makes me want to be around
it was a passion of mine that I
what I was going to be doing in ten
them more.
would never live down if I didn’t
years. He was very [unsure] of me.
complete it. The transition was
I told him, honestly, I hope I’m still
Let’s go back to when you first
easier because I was still in school
making videos, but I hope I have
started your career as a content
and because it was a passion for
other things I’m making videos
creator. What was the transition
such a long time. Even as I was
about. I hope that I’m directing my
like from posting TikTok videos for
growing, it was really something
first film, and I’m on set making
fun to suddenly getting millions of
that I [loved] to do, so it didn’t feel
videos about getting ready with
views on each video?
like work, which is why I think it
me to go to set. I hope we evolve
It happened during Covid, so we
works so well for me.
beyond this corner of the Internet.
were in this limbo. It’s not that
I love that I have a lifestyle. In
I didn’t understand what was
It sounds like you didn’t really
my opinion, my channel fits that
happening at first, but it didn’t feel
have any set goals when you
lifestyle category. First off, you
as real until the world [opened]
started on social media, since you
never know what you’re going to
back up again and I went out in
weren’t looking to do social media
get. One day, I’m riding a unicycle.
public. The first time I got a brand
as a career at that point. Looking
The next day, I’m talking about
deal and made money from it felt
back at your journey, do you feel
breakups. My favorite part is that
surreal. When I started TikTok,
like your goals have evolved as
there is no single category that I fit
I wasn’t thinking about growing
you’ve grown?
into. I definitely think that [social
a channel. I was thinking about
Absolutely. I see more opportunity
media] fits into my lifestyle, and I’m
building this keepsake of things
in it now than I did before. The
excited [to see] where it’s going
that I loved — a safe place on the
social media space was still a little
to go. My number one goal, which
Internet where everybody felt
bit of a gray zone when I was first
has always been consistent, is to
included, and everybody felt like
starting. [You would hear] about
build a safe corner of the Internet
a part of this adventure I was on
a couple of viral people. Everyone
where everyone is welcome. I want
that was simply life. TikTok gave
knew the Viners and YouTubers
to have this space where everyone
me the chance to share all of these
who had made it, but we weren’t
feels creative, feels inspired, and
experiences with a community of
seeing TikTok creators yet other
feels this pull to be themselves. I’m
people.
than the D’Amelios, Addison Rae,
just so happy they’re there.
It was an interesting transition
and other bigger names who had
because it felt so sudden. I
[that unexpected] trajectory.
What are some of the most
remember the day I got verified
At first, I didn’t know where the
important things you’ve learned or
on TikTok. Three months later, my
opportunity and potential [were]
become more aware of from your
channel quadrupled in size, and
with social media, but I started to
career as a content creator?
this was now a full-time career. I
see how well it fit with the career I
One thing that I learned — and
knew grad school was coming
wanted in film and entertainment.
didn’t realize at first — was the
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value of privacy. I’m very open on my channels,
format would look [and sound like], and how it would
especially with my relationship [and] different things
feel [to create in] that format, so I made that YouTube
coming into [my] life. I didn’t know how to separate
video. I thought, I wonder what this would be like? Or
what I [wanted] to share from the moments I wanted
I wonder if I would enjoy this? How does this make me
to just live and enjoy. [During] my first two years of
feel? [It has] been really fun. I really enjoyed it. [There
content creation, I posted five to eight times a day
are hopefully] new projects coming out very soon. It
every single day. [I took] no days off, no vacations, and
was an incredible opportunity to experience that and
no weekend breaks. I had something to talk about and
[learn] that it was something that I really [love] and
post about [all the time during] those two years, which
[enjoy]. I’m excited [about] some of the things that I
[was] my greatest time of growth and when I was most
have in the works.
[excited] about my work. Even as I’m coming up on this new chapter in my life, [I’m still establishing] that
That’s exciting. It’s always nice to try new things.
[balance] and figuring out what I want to make videos
Especially when it comes to your career, it’s nice to
about and what I want to experience and enjoy in my
realize, you know what, this is actually fun. I want to
own time. I’m still learning how to recognize when
do more of this!
things are better kept [as] my own mental keepsakes,
Exactly. I am not [someone who likes] to jump the gun.
such as the pictures I take and films I make [that I don’t
I want to make sure [it’s] something that I love and
share]. The nights that you don’t see [are] some of my
enjoy before I pour my whole heart out into it. So we’ll
favorite memories now.
see.
I feel like it’s always a balance, especially with content
With the end of the year approaching, is there
creation. When you’re sharing so much of your life, it’s
anything you’re looking forward to professionally,
hard to figure out what to keep private and what to
personally, or both, either in 2023 or early next year?
share with the world, because those two worlds blend
I’m excited about a lot of new projects that are coming
together so much.
to light that [might be in] a couple new formats. I’m so
Exactly. It’s always tough. For so long, [I was] filming
excited about [continuing] acting classes. I’m hoping
everything. Putting the phone down and living [in the
that we have the opportunity to start auditioning again
present] is something that I’ve been working on.
(depending on the state of the industry). I’m also excited [for] Christmas and Thanksgiving. The holidays
Over the summer, you posted a visual podcast called
are my favorite time [of the] year, [and it] always feels
“LET’S TALK HATE COMMENTS + CONFIDENCE +
like such an exciting time for content creation too. The
FEELING NUMB + BIG LIFE CHANGES.” All of your
second November hits, I’m dialed into the Christmas
videos have a sense of “deep talk” to them where you
remixes. I’m so excited to make videos to those. I just
go fairly in-depth on different topics. What inspired
moved in to a new place, and I have high ceilings in my
you to make that video, and would you ever consider
living room, so I want a twenty-foot Christmas tree.
branching out into a podcast or something similar?
That’s also on the agenda. [It’s a] non-negotiable.
I had so many friends in my community from the videos in my Anna’s guide to series, and they were asking for those videos as forty minute podcasts. I’m so videofocused, and I love visual things. That’s where I’ve always had my passion. I’ve never really worked in [an] audio space. I love music, but I don’t make music. It’s just a thing that I enjoy, and [it inspires a lot of] the [visuals I create]. I was curious about [what] that 24
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