Madeline “Maddy” Hettrick, a junior at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, is gaining recognition for her work behind the camera. Originally aspiring to be an actress, Hettrick discovered her passion for filmmaking and has decided to pursue it. Her short film, “His New Girl,” which she wrote and directed as a sophomore, will be showcased in the 2025 Spring New Jersey Film Festival.
The film features three college students preparing for a date, with performances by Mason Gross students Ashavari Bhattacharya and Meg Moynahan, along with Yasemin Goncu. Describing her work as “a comedy sprinkled with dramatic moments,” Hettrick explained her interest in exploring character relationships and understanding people’s minds.
Al Nigrin, executive director of the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, expressed his support for Hettrick’s inclusion in the festival lineup. “We go out of our way to show films by New Jersey residents as well as Rutgers faculty and students, but they have to be good enough,” he stated. He praised the film’s editing and sound quality, noting its appeal to student audiences.
Hettrick’s journey into filmmaking began at East Brunswick High School through pre-college digital filmmaking classes at Mason Gross. Initially interested in acting, she soon found herself drawn to directing and storytelling from behind the camera.
Christopher McCarroll, a lecturer who taught Hettrick during the creation of “His New Girl,” commended her vision and execution of the project. While providing structural guidance during editing, McCarroll emphasized that the final product was predominantly Hettrick’s own work alongside her collaborators.
Hettrick is considering furthering her education in screenwriting after graduation. Reflecting on her favorite films like “We Live in Time,” she highlighted how essential character relationships are in her storytelling approach.
