My name is Purpelle "Pursue UR Passion Everyday Living Life Effectively" Tramble.

As we all know education is expensive. I am happy to be accepted back into Howard University's MFA Film Program. I completed a semester of Grad school back in 2011 and moved back to Seattle to care for my sister who is battling a rare disease known as NMO "Neuromyelitis Optica" (Devic's Disease) which is similar to Multiple Sclerosis (she was misdiagnosed). I am passionate about my sister's story and would like to one day make a film about her battle with this rare disease. I am raising money now to help fund my return to Grad School in the fall of 2014. What will your support help with?

• Books
• Fees
• Transportation
• Equipment
• Housing

My film "The Proposal" Official Selection at 2014 Langston Hughes African American Film Festival was screened at this year's festival. This film was Directed, Written and Produced while in my first semester in Grad School at Howard University.

You may also view my youtube page: Youtube.com/PurpleReels

Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/PurpleReels

Follow me on Facebook: Facebook.com/PurpleReels

Below is my personal statement as received by Howard University Film School. Thank you so much for your consideration in advance! #FilmisLife

Making the decision to return to school has been a journey. I decided to pursue my Master's in January of 2011 and at that time my sister who is still battling a rare disease known as NMO "Neuromyelitis Optica" - also known as Devic's Disease - was still in the hospital. I ended up finishing one semester towards my MFA before going back to visit and eventually move back to Seattle to care for my sister. This and the financial discrepancy forced me to postpone my efforts towards my degree. I made a promise to my sister when I left that if she needed me I would return and I did just that. Since then I have managed to continue to stay connected in the world film market by building and perfecting my own network, brand & following as "Purple Reels." I have discovered many other levels where it concerns my passion for filmmaking.

I founded Purple Reels Productions in the summer of 2008 and from that have ventured off into teaching i.e. "Garfield Rec Tech Summer Video Program," "Reel Grrls Summer Video Program," "Langston Hughes Artist in Residence - The Truth Unchained Black History Month Film Screenings," & also worked with youth in the Seattle community centers and schools teaching youth the basic fundamentals of filmmaking. The greatest of all of these ventures was the opportunity to help with "The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival." Here I served as House Manager, Green Room Host, Usher and whatever else was needed. It was my pleasure to be of help as my passion & love for film and filmmakers made it easy to give my all. During this time my grandfather and grandmother also passed. The passing of my grandfather was a wake up call and inspiration. I was called upon to tell his story through film & although tough I proved to myself that I could do it. The home going celebration was a success. I managed to put the pieces of his life story together under extreme pressure & emotional distress. From this experience I found that I also have a passion for helping families who have lost loved ones. After losing my grandfather I decided to add this service to my business as well. It always bothered me when I saw videos at funerals I felt could have been much better. People often become overwhelmed with emotion in this situation but the way a person's story is told for the last time is very important. To me it is like preserving their legacy and mark on this earth. 
 
Now, as time moves on, seasons, people and things change but one thing has remained the same, my passion and love for film. A saying I hold true "Film is Life" but more importantly I have learned that "Life is Film." My sister is now in a facility in Vancouver, WA. She can barely speak or do anything for herself. One day I remember she let me film her telling her story. I was grateful that she trusted me. One day I hope to tell her story. September 20, 2013, I received an Leadership award from Women of Color Empowered (Northwest Asian Weekly) which I dedicated to my sister. She has and will continue to be my greatest inspiration and biggest fan. My goal for finishing my Master's is to direct & produce films and one day begin teaching again.