Taylor Kissinger

#Happy: A Film About Happiness in the Modern Age is a mini-documentary that I produced with a team of five other voyagers while studying abroad on Semester at Sea. It has been viewed for educational purposes in collegiate classrooms (Penn State and University of Oregon), youth summer camps and employee training sessions. The film encompasses interviews and footage from seven countries that we visited: Ghana, South Africa, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, and Japan. You'll hear my narration and poetry; you'll also see some of my videography. I hope you enjoy the film that I am proud to have created with some of my best friends.

Our Team

Avery Stratton- director, editor and cinematographer

Taylor Kissinger- narrator, writer and cinematographer

Maddy Sweeney- writer and cinematographer

Deedee Diaz- cinematographer

Carilyn White- cinematographer

INTRODUCTION by Taylor Kissinger

Happiness awakens, shakes, and breathes

Joy to the core of our being.

A baby’s first cry.

An ocean breeze on your face.

Laughter, a smile, or a loved one’s embrace.

It’s the little things.

Climb the corporate ladder to success.

Follow the money.

What brings us happiness?

Crunching grass between your toes?

Playing the violin.

A concerto of nights

Sleeping beneath the stars.

Our minds open to receive God’s grace.

Or the universe…what have you.

The source of that feeling,

Desired by you and me.

Searching and wanting

This unsung plea.

It will come.

When push comes to shove,

What makes the call?

The beat of our hearts,

Happiness,

The universal desire of all.