Her Story
About Abigail
Abigail Moncoeur is a content marketing writer for Energate, where she creates content by day while pursuing her passion projects in film. Originally born and raised in Miami, Florida, she graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's in criminal justice before pivoting to the film industry after discovering her ongoing love for writing. She attended graduate school at the Johns Hopkins Film and Media Program, which exposed her to filmmakers, directors, and writers who contributed to her portfolio and understanding of the industry. Moncoeur writes screenplays, narrative-based video games, and edits short films, including her lead film Allura, which has been selected into three film festivals with a Q&A and red carpet appearance at the New York Indie Shorts Awards. She attributes her success to her decision to pursue further education and immerse herself in the field after initially volunteering at film festivals in Miami. As an emerging filmmaker, she notes the financial challenges of investing in equipment and travel but values the learning and collaboration opportunities each project provides. Moncoeur is Haitian and incorporates her culture into her work, aiming to create positive content representing underrepresented communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Abigail
01What do you attribute your success to?
I definitely noticed a huge trend once I made that decision to put myself through graduate school at Johns Hopkins Film and Media Program. Originally born and raised in Miami, Florida, and I for a year was just volunteering at different film festivals there, trying to get my feet on the ground, but I found it very difficult because I didn't have the experience or the education to support my being there. And so, I just decided, because this is something that I know I'm going to do to get the education, and in turn, get that experience, and I definitely think that being at Hopkins has exposed me to a lot of filmmakers and directors and writers that have contributed to my portfolio and my learning and understanding and appreciation, really, for the industry. So I definitely think just moving out of home, and really, like, immersing myself into the field was a big contributor to my success today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Every no brings you closer to your yes. So, even though you may have been rejected into an internship or a job that you really, really wanted, if that was a position that was meant for you, you would have it. So if you don't have it, don't be bitter, don't be sad, be grateful, because every no brings you closer to your yes.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay true to themselves, and to stay the course. It isn't really a get-rich-quick scheme or become successful quick scheme. You just have to not compare yourself to others and do what you feel you have to do. And not necessarily to... because you think that this is gonna get you a certain place, but because it's... it's really what you feel called to do. And just... Stay authentic to yourself, and to your craft, and just keep working on it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges, I would say, being an emerging filmmaker, it definitely is financially taxing, because you have to... You have to support yourself in terms of you have to, you know, purchase the equipment, purchase the gear, and if your work gets selected into, you know, different screenings across the country, it's a great opportunity, but it is also financially taxing to Fund yourself... Travel to all of these different locations. So I would say that is one challenge, is in that early stage, you definitely do have to, invest in yourself. And I would say the opportunity is just every project that you do... it teaches you something that you want to apply for your next project. It fuels you into sharpening your creative eye and putting out a piece of work that is stronger than the last one, and also just, like, collaborating with different people and learning from your peers, and really, like. Collectively pouring into a single piece of work with different people from different backgrounds Giving their input, so that you could really refine it into the strongest version of itself.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
A really strong relationship with God. Family... Community and love and respect.
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