Hi, I am Joseph VanAken. I graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in the summer of 2024 as a political science major. From a young age, storytelling has been at the core of who I am. At nine years old, I wrote and illustrated my own comic, Super Nerd, and as I grew older, my love for writing and story telling evolved. Throughout high school, I honed my writing skills, earning the Golden Key Award for Excellence in Poetry and having three of my poems published. I then attended Indiana University, where I studied Political Science to sharpen my analytical and research-based writing while also taking creative writing courses to refine my storytelling abilities. Recently I have pursued my passion for storytelling in the film industry, working as a script reader for GVN Releasing, a film distribution company. This experience allowed me to develop skills in script analysis, character development, and marketability, deepening my understanding of what makes a story compelling. During this time, I fully realized my passion for film and television storytelling. In my free time, I continue to hone my craft by developing an original dramedy TV series—a project I am determined to bring to life one day. While I continue to work on personal projects I believe I can bring insight to any and all projects in need of a fresh set of eyes. I also believe that my lack of professional experience as a writer is a strength more than a hindrance. I have a drive to make a name for myself and a dedication that cannot be matched.