It all started on Sept. 4 2021. My mother was driving us to visit our grandparents in Las Vegas, Nevada when I gasped so loud that my mother swerved on the I-5.
“Harry Styles’ Love on Tour begins today in Las Vegas” the radio said. After being postponed due to COVID-19, the tour was finally back, featuring Styles’ 2019 album Fine Line.
Like many young women, as a 16-year-old fangirl I idolized Styles, and was convinced that if I had the chance to be in the same room as him, I could charm him. Little did I know I would get the chance, but I’d fall in love with something else entirely.
“Please, can I go?” I whined to my mother, who was undoubtedly irritated by the drama unfolding in the passenger seat. Once she gave her approval I giggled with joy and began planning my outfit.
I hugged my family goodbye before setting off alone, navigating into the Las Vegas Strip. Once I arrived I pushed through a sea of feather boas and glittery boots until I found my seat.
As I stared at the empty stage, waiting for the pop star to emerge, something else caught my eye. Cameras were positioned around the stage, and massive screens loomed above, projecting the show.
Then, finally they light up. Literally. Harry opened with his song “Lights Up”, drawing deafening screams from thousands of excited teenage girls and their secretly just as excited boyfriends.
Unfortunately, the girls beside me quickly became unbearable, screaming through even the milder songs. Desperate for escape, I wandered into the aisle ending up near the technical booth.
I peered behind me and saw blinking screens, a video switchboard, and crew members clicking buttons and pulling levers. Mesmerized, I watched as mind-blowing visuals appeared on the screens above the stage. The director called out camera shots, gesturing wildly to his team to change visuals and get cameras ready.
Nervous but curious, I took a chance and approached the staff near the booth entrance.
“So, what is it that you guys are doing,” I asked.
To my surprise, they welcomed me in. I sat behind all the action, observing the organized chaos of live video directing. The director called every shot, selecting different camera angles of Styles.
Video editors layered effects over live footage, creating an underrated form of multimedia art I had never noticed before. And in that moment, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
No, not marry Styles though that would have been nice.
I wanted to pursue the art of live video broadcasting.
When the concert ended, I was left in awe, not because Styles took his sparkly shirt off, but because I had never felt so moved by a visual experience.
That night wasn’t just about the music, it was a pivotal moment that reshaped my perspective and set me on a new path. If there’s one lesson I took from it, it’s this: be brave, lean into your passion and try new things, even when it scares you.
And never let anyone tell you that being a fangirl is useless. You never know you might just discover a passion you never expected.
