Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bella Monzo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bella, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Hey there, and thank you for having me!
There are many moments in my life where I can point to the development of my confidence and self-esteem. Still, one of the most significant early on was shaped by my experience with my physical well-being through my younger years, including a journey with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which I was diagnosed with around seven years old. JIA is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its tissues, particularly in the joints. For me, it meant random joint swelling, body aches, and constant fatigue. My life for a moment was filled with physical challenges, and it also took an emotional and mental toll. It became increasingly difficult to keep up with my peers, both physically and emotionally.
But, despite these struggles, my experience with JIA taught me important life lessons! It forced me to quickly learn how to understand my body’s limits and how to push through both mental and physical barriers. I developed a deep understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship between things like the foods I ate, the weather, my joint health, and even how my schoolwork and physical labor impacted my condition.
Now, at 22, I am in remission, with flare-ups occurring less frequently—though still occasionally. It’s tough, but through it all, I’ve learned that I am tougher! 🙂 My passion for working in film and collaborating with other dedicated individuals has taught me to approach my pain with logic and resilience. The constant cycle of pain and emotional challenges has ultimately given way to persistence, and I’ve learned to push forward, both physically and metaphorically.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an aspiring producer aiming to work in the feature film industry or documentary production as a creative producer, where I can utilize my skills in delegation, passion, and organization. I have always had a love for film and art, but my real passion lies in people and their stories. I’m deeply interested in hearing others’ experiences, and I thrive when sharing a passion with a dedicated group of people.
As a graduating senior Film and Television student, I am currently working on two capstone projects while staying busy with documentary electives and serving as a resident mentor for incoming freshmen at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I love production—being part of a project, working through endless nights with creative energy flowing, and ultimately seeing all the hard work come to life on the big screen or at a final event, with teammates next to you, is the most satisfying feeling.
One of the projects I’m currently creatively producing is called Downtown Disarray. It’s a modern twist on a Western, following two brothers on the run in downtown Savannah. We’re looking for all the help we can get—from horses to gunfights and a bank heist gone wrong. My team and I are raising $12,000 to make this short film possible. With our shoot planned for February, it’s crunch time, and every bit of support helps! We plan to launch online fundraisers this winter and will also be at Forsyth Park showcasing our awesome stickers and selling other film-related merchandise to raise funds.
In October, we had an event at Clyde Venue, where we held raffles and offered prizes from local Savannah businesses, a cowboy contest, and custom drinks! This event was open to the public, and it was great to see new Savannah faces show support for student filmmaking.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe it’s important to hone your skills in an area you’re truly passionate about. At the same time, it’s incredibly valuable to improve your abilities in other areas as well! I often think about the concept of being a “jack of all trades.” Growing up, I felt like that was frowned upon. But it isn’t about spreading yourself thin; it’s about being adaptable and well-rounded. While mastering one thing can set you apart, having a broad range of skills allows you to collaborate more effectively and think creatively when facing different challenges. This is crucial in both professional and personal life.
I’ve focused on production because it’s my passion, but I’ve also learned the basics of other fields of production. Why? Because production is rarely a one-hat role. Understanding different aspects of the process not only makes me a better producer but also allows me to communicate better with other departments and solve problems quickly and creatively. The more you understand, the better you can collaborate!
It’s also important to remember that we all need help, and we can’t always do everything ourselves. Being a “jack of all trades” doesn’t mean you’re a master of nothing; it means you’re capable of stepping in where needed and contributing in various ways. That said, don’t be afraid to show people what you’re great at.
It’s about finding the balance between knowing your role while still improving and learning other skills that complement your strengths. You don’t have to be perfect at everything, but developing a diverse skill set makes you more adaptable for teamwork and problem-solving, which is invaluable in any context.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think it’s important to tighten your skills in an area and focus on something you’re truly passionate about. At the same time, it’s really valuable to improve your skills in other areas as well!
I always think about the idea of being a “jack of all trades”. Growing up I feel like that was almost like looked down on, or frowned upon. But it isn’t about spreading yourself thin; it’s about being adaptable and well-rounded. While mastering one thing can set you apart, having a broad range of skills allows you to collaborate more effectively and think creatively with different challenges, which is crucial in professional and person life.
I’ve focused on production because it’s my passion, but I’ve also learned the basics of other fields of production. Why, you may ask? Because production is rarely a one hat role. I’ve found that understanding different aspects of the process not only makes me a better producer but also allows me to communicate better with other departments and solve problems quickly and more importantly creatively. The more you understand, the better you can collaborate!
It’s also important to remember that we all need help, and we can’t always do everything ourselves. Being a “jack of all trades” DOES NOT mean you’re a master of nothing; it means you’re capable of stepping in where needed and contributing in various ways. That said, don’t be afraid to show people what you’re great at.
It’s about finding the balance between knowing your role while still improving and learning other skills that can work with your strengths. You don’t have to be perfect at everything, but developing a bunch of skills allows you to be more adaptable for teamwork and problem-solving, and that’s invaluable no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: bellamonzo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bella.uh.monzo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-monzo-4ab383206
Image Credits
Ditch Witch Photos : Caitlin Sellman
Can’t Help Being a Gemini : Makena Schmidt
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
