Jaylynn Vega: Capturing Stories

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About Me - Resume

430 Story Project

Final Project Essay

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My Work

A student at San Diego State University, Jaylynn Vega is committed to highlighting unique narratives and voices.

Jaylynn Vega is a dedicated journalism student with a keen eye for storytelling and documenting class projects through engaging and insightful projects. In her free time, she can be found doing improvisational theatre (and teaching it too!), hosting her on-air radio show or doing a double-feature at AMC Theatres.

Jaylynn Vega

Journalist, Photographer and Filmmaker

Jaylynn Vega Journalism

<h4>Blog 1: </h4>The first part of developing this story was going to go see the 50th anniversary showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at La Paloma theater. I had been there many times before in the past, but I was especially nervous for this one as it was the first time I would be interviewing random people on the street. I was going to be a “real” journalist, interviewing people, documenting the event and taking photos while I was there. One problem, however, was that Crazed Imaginations had a strict no photography rule as well, so I had to be strategic in how I photographed different elements of the event.&nbsp;Nonetheless, I overcame my fears, I got a good interview and photographs that made it into the final draft of my story. It’s funny how such a small moment was so trivial in my development as a journalist. Looking back at even just a few months ago, I feel like I have dramatically improved my initiative in interviewing and documenting.&nbsp;<h4>Blog 2:&nbsp;</h4>My favorite lab was our little niche community lab. Although I developed it quite fast, I feel like I’ve kind of developed a beat for myself within music, art and culture. I chose to cover the “emo” community, and the rise of the genre after being dormant for so long.&nbsp;I was really proud of being able to find reliable sources and synthesize multiple niche themes into a universal message that the majority of audiences would be able to digest without much context. It's definitely a piece I want to edit and upload to the KCR blog eventually!<h4>Blog 3: </h4>When I submitted my first draft on Halloween, I thought that there was no way this story would develop in time. None of my sources were getting back to me, and the whole feature was just heavily reliant on people’s accounts with the film. I submitted the draft with 350 words and the smallest sliver of hope.Over the course of the next month, I kept emailing and emailing with no leads or responses. The week of the deadline for the final draft, however, something clicked and I shifted my perspective. I went to the library and used books and online forums for fan accounts and historical accounts. And this gave me the push of motivation I needed to finish my story, and during that too, I got an interview back from a film professor (I will be taking his class next semester!)<h4>Blog 4: </h4>I can’t believe the semester is over. Just like that, I’m halfway through junior year. It’s funny to look back at where I was a year ago, and how much my skills have developed. Last year, I would consider myself a journalism student, but today, I have much more confidence in calling myself a journalist. While I still have much more to learn, I now have a portfolio and work to show for myself.While developing my website, I was incredibly proud of what I’ve done. I’ve been pretty hard on myself for not having secured an internship yet, but when visiting my site and looking through as an audience member, I realized comparison really is the thief of joy. My feature and website came out better than I ever could have anticipated, and I can wait to see where my work takes me.

Developing my story

Majoring in journalism and religious studies, with minors in television, film and new media and history at San Diego State University, I have a deep interest and admiration for the creative arts and humanities. These four areas of my academic career have been foundational to who I am as a person, and I have spent years dedicated to developing my skills and crafts within this realm. I aim to pursue a career in news and film production and management, with prior experience concentrated in writing, podcasting and producing.

Get to know me

<h3>The science-fiction-horror musical, which faced negative criticism during its initial release, has grown to be one of the most influential films in cinema history and pop culture</h3>Filled with plenty of lingerie, toilet paper and “call-backs” from audience members, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” performance in Encinitas was one of many around the country celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film.Known as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crazedimaginations.net/">Crazed Imaginations</a>, the Encinitas “shadow-cast” organizes performances every other Friday night where members will pantomime the film with its projection in the background. This particular feature was different from other viewings, however — having a full house at La Paloma Theatre on Sept. 27, exactly 50 years since the U.S. theatrical release.There were 50 performers swapping throughout the main principal roles, which is typically limited to 10 individuals. Recurring and alumni cast members participated in the event, with a special guest appearance from “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPh10UAko0-/?img_index=2&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==">Roberto Riff and Magentabot</a>,” a creative take on the alien characters of the film, Riff Raff and Magenta.Traditionally, audience members dress up as characters in the film, participate in call-backs by reciting back lines to the screen and use props such as rice and water guns to create an immersive movinggoing experience like no other. No two showings are the same as every shadow-cast has traditions that are unique to their theatre.“That was incredible,” first-time audience member Archy Rost said. “I really enjoyed seeing all the cast members coming out; it seemed like they had a lot of fun. That was f -- -- ing awesome.”At the beginning of every show, a special ritual is held for first-time watchers like Rost – known as virgins and identified by a big red “V” (usually drawn with red lipstick) on their forehead – to proclaim their loyalty to the film.&nbsp;With a plot of two lovers getting lost in the woods during a rainstorm and finding shelter at a castle where hypersexual aliens are creating a Frankenstein-like creature for their pleasure, the film found its niche space within LGBTQ+ communities with its exploration of identity and sexuality.“It inspired a lot of gay people — a lot of ‘baby gays’,” Rost said. “It led the way a lot for drag culture and it’s kind of the first time we see a positive portrayal of bisexual men.”Abraham Amkpa, an independent cinema professor at San Diego State University, identifies the film as a “sexual liberation piece,” extending similar sentiments Rost shares.&nbsp;“In that way, Rocky Horror cemented itself – in a genre-hybrid that shocked audiences but also excited a whole segment of marginalized people in a way that was refreshing and necessary at the time,” Amkpa said. “I think one of the beautiful things about cinema, and a film like that, is that it brings authenticity to someone’s experience. It validates people and where they are in their lives.”Richard O’Brien, the writer of the stageplay and screenplay, being transgender himself, incorporated his own life experiences into the film to “give a voice to the voiceless.”In an interview with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://playbill.com/article/give-a-voice-to-the-voiceless-richard-obrien-on-50-years-of-the-rocky-horror-show-and-its-impact-on-the-queer-community">Playbill</a>, O’Brien shared his newfound relationship with writing the film, with which director Jim Sharman also contributed.“It was very cathartic writing ‘Rocky Horror,’ in ways that I can now understand,” O’Brien said. “Being a transgender human being myself, it was very cathartic — but I didn't know that at the time. I ended up getting my own voice through it.&nbsp;Originally a London stageplay in 1972 titled “The Rocky Horror Show” with the same casting as the film variant, the play was met with extreme enthusiasm by audience members. It would eventually be relocated on two separate occasions to serve attendance demand.Unlike the reception received from the stage play, according to Central Michigan University professor <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-Cultographies/dp/1905674503">Jeffrey Weinstock</a>, the Los Angeles release of the film by 20th Century-Fox in 1975 was a complete commercial flop, though finding an enthusiastic underground fanbase there. Planning to open in New York on Halloween just weeks later, 20th Century-Fox had to withdraw the film’s release.&nbsp;In 1976, the Waverly Theatre (now IFC Center) in New York would start showing “Rocky Horror” at midnight. Weinstock and others attribute this weekly routine to not only the widespread distribution of the film in other independent theatres, but also the adoption of traditional practices associated with it such as midnight viewings, dressing up, props and call-backs.The early fan experiences of midnight showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” were not well documented and memories are only kept alive through fan accounts. Popular online forums such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.rockyhorrorwiki.org/wiki2/index.php?title=Main_Page">Rocky Horror Wiki</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rockyhorror.com/">The Rocky Horror Picture Show Official Fan Site</a> help preserve and connect what history is known about the film and the audience’s participation in shaping the culture of the film today.&nbsp;Hayden Colbrunn, a cast member of Crazed Imaginations, was first exposed to the film through their sister and immediately got immersed in the traits that make “Rocky” so uniquely its own, such as the props and call-backs. After moving to San Diego for university, they were introduced to the Encinitas shadow-cast in October 2022 and officially joined the cast in March 2024.When reflecting on why they wanted to join, Colbrunn stated: “Watching it that first time, I immediately knew that’s what I want to do – just watching the freedom of expression and queer liberation.”Colbrunn believes the film to be “one of the most unapologetic movies (they) can think of,” with the message being “in the simplest terms: do what you want to and embrace yourself.” To them, it makes sense why the film has been foundational in LGBTQ+ spaces and film history.“A lot of the themes are still resonating today,” Colbrunn said. “Camp, horror, queerness – and everything being expressed. It’s resonated with audiences since 1975 and hasn’t decreased in relevancy since.”From a stageplay, to a flopped movie, to a midnight-feature and now one of the most widely regarded influential films in cinema history, the impact of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is evident in its representation of LGBTQ+ voices and spaces for marginalized communities.&nbsp;“Movies aren’t just about watching a movie; it's about congregation; it's about community,” Amkpa said. “A movie like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ allows for community.”

Fifty years of ‘absolute pleasure’: the legacy of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show

SynopsisWhen enrolling for JMS 430: Digital Journalism, I had no idea what the class would entail. I thought that it would include online editing and publishing, with multiple stories to be submitted throughout the semester. Instead, the class catered to various aspects of journalism from a digital approach, building our skills in graphics, editing and writing over one continuous feature developed within a few months. I decided to choose mine based on the history and legacy of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a film that just celebrated its 50th anniversary and is very dear to me.Developing the Story ProjectAs I’m already a part of the “Rocky Horror” community, I already kind of knew where to find resources and opportunities for stories and coverage regarding the film and anniversary. With this, I think I got great interviews that added a lot of depth and color to my feature. I think, however, that I could have challenged myself more with choosing a topic that was more unfamiliar to me. In terms of content and history, I knew a lot about what I was researching already but nonetheless, I wanted to make this story accessible to those who may know nothing about the film.&nbsp;One major problem I ran into while developing my story was the lack of interviews that were getting back to me. I had to follow up with individuals multiple times, and even when one would confirm, they would not cement a hard time to meet with me in person or online. I had to think outside the box and use resources such as books and written accounts, which I found to be super engaging and interesting as a lot of the stories I read were from individuals from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Of the individuals that did get back to me, however, one of them happened to be a professor whose class I’m taking next semester!Digital Media ExperienceFrom this class, I think I’ve become a better multimedia journalist – learning to enhance a story with multiple supplemental elements that I’ve created on my own. I definitely have a better grasp of synthesizing pieces to create a cohesive narrative, though I think I could learn more about data analysis and online analytics. As the blog director for KCR, those skills could greatly contribute to improving website reach and viewership.&nbsp;Speaking of websites, by far my favorite aspect of the class was website development. I think as student journalists, we often get caught up in the idea of a portfolio being associated with an internship or published work, but the “My Work” section of the website really made me take a step back, access the work I’ve done and be proud of it. I would gladly show this website to future mentors or employers to showcase what I’ve done.

Pride in what I've accomplished

<h3>The Daily Aztec</h3>As a Staff Reporter for the Daily Aztec, I curate weekly podcasts with Podcast Producer, interviewing and highlighting unique voices around the SDSU and local San Diego communities. We condense all of the weekly headlines in video format for easy access and digestion for audiences.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thedailyaztec.com/staff_name/jaylynn-vega/">The Daily Aztec: Staff Reporter,Jaylynn Vega</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KAPtQSF0ho&amp;t=589s">The Daily Aztec Debrief: Ashley Roche and 'Carrie'</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/K7JmJlVPNHo?si=UziA15zH0EY1F06E">The Daily Aztec Debrief: Student Filmmaking and 'Post Mortem'</a><h3>KCR College Radio</h3>KCR College Radio is San Diego State University's own student-run radio station since 1969. As the blog and zine director, I edit and upload blogs covering all aspects of media, as well as format a physical zine that has a diverse pool of contributors representing our student body.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kcr.sdsu.edu/photo-essay-a-day-in-the-life-of-post-mortem/">KCR College Radio: A day in the life of 'Post Mortem'</a>&nbsp;<h3>The Bear Facts</h3>The Bear Facts was a weekly television program at Los Osos High School that aimed to illuminate, inspire, influence, impact and intrigue the student body. I served as the showrunner my senior year, directing each weekly segment and delegating assignments to production groups.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/91NDYSQ3HQ8?si=I3ZBRSk51SN6yA6s&amp;t=401">The Bear Facts: S19 EP 30</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/17s1BXIRxaA?si=OIjKKylQcEQwkSuU&amp;t=328">The Bear Facts: S18 EP 33</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/cTa4RZFmoX4?si=xwFc4MpGSrodQfrK&amp;t=102">The Bear Facts: S18 EP 27</a><h3>Other Projects</h3>Here are some other works I've done for various school projects at San Diego State University.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/0toFnivLEpbaZ">JMS 435: Photojournalism - Sydnie's Story</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/dlIDUu6vJak?si=USBxXt0ZxWCVPM0v">JMS 494: Media, Law and Ethics - #FREESCHLEP: Roblox, Censorship &amp; the First Amendment</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://medium.com/@jvega23/emo-is-back-but-is-it-here-to-stay-505924660fba">JMS 430: Digital Journalism - Emo is back, but is it here to stay?</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/NIarmLt2Twg?si=3uCBquVPuoWh4D8u">REL S315: Ayurvedic Recipe Cookbook</a>

Here's what I've done...

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EDUCATIONSan Diego State University – San Diego, CA Expected Graduation: May 2027Major(s): Journalism; Religious Studies&nbsp;Minor(s): Television, Film and New Media; HistoryGPA: 3.79Relevant Coursework: Media Writing and Reporting, Advertising Strategy, Digital Journalism, Public Affairs News Reporting, Photojournalism, Cultural Aspects of Media, Screenwriting, Broadcast &amp; Cinema ProducingEXPERIENCEThe Daily Aztec – San Diego, CA &nbsp; &nbsp; Aug. 2025 - Present“The Daily Aztec Debrief” Podcast Co-Host&nbsp;<ul><li>Co-hosts and aids in produces weekly podcast with a 3 day turnaround via Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube with 100+ views across all platforms</li><li>Supports the newly-established department, assisting in team meetings and assignment with interviews for staffers</li><li>Researches and communicates with potential leads for interviews within local San Diego community</li></ul> Diversionary Theatre – San Diego, CA &nbsp; &nbsp; Feb. 2025 - PresentImprovisational Theatre Teaching Artist<ul><li>Residency within elementary and middle schools hosting a weekly afterschool program</li><li>Creates and executes lesson plans pertaining to improvisation theatre skills for ages 8 - 12</li><li>Nurtures a diverse population of educational learning methods and needs</li></ul> KCR College Radio – San Diego, CA &nbsp; &nbsp; Jan. 2025 - PresentBlog &amp; Magazine Director / Live Radio Host<ul><li>Assigns, edits and publishes articles to KCR website weekly via Wordpress with 7k+ views per month, driving prior performance up by 40%</li><li>Liaison between music promoters and greater KCR organization regarding marketing opportunities, interviews and artist coverage</li><li>Designs, edits and formats a semesterly physical magazine covering music, culture and arts in Adobe Suite services with community outreach of 200+ students</li><li>Hosts weekly late-night live radio programming via AM radio and Twitch streaming service on alternative music genres and history, abiding by FCC regulations</li></ul> Iota Eta Pi Improv Team – San Diego, CA &nbsp; &nbsp; Feb. 2024 - PresentPresident / Social Media &amp; Advertising Coordinator<ul><li>Designs unique visual&nbsp; graphics advertising upcoming performances based on seasonal themes</li><li>Monitors key trends and hashtags, optimizing audience engagement on Instagram</li><li>Reached goal of 85k+ views within 3 month period, increasing impacted accounts to 6k+</li></ul>SKILLSAP Style, Google Suite, Canva, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Express, Adobe Lightroom, Microsoft Suite, Adobe InDesign, Wordpress, content creation, digital photography, improvisational theatre