Meet Noah Payton: Aspiring Screenwriter and Gorilla Creative Film Scholarships Recipient

Ever since the age of 3, Noah has been enthralled with films. One of his first and most formative movie experiences came at his aunt’s house, watching Toy Story on VHS again and again. As a young child, he didn’t just watch the movie, he played alongside it, imagining his own toys coming to life just like the characters on screen. That simple but powerful idea sparked his imagination and planted the seed for a lifelong passion for storytelling.

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As Noah grew older, that early fascination deepened. His dad, also a devoted film fan, introduced him to a steady diet of classic movies from the 1980s. After each movie, he would research it online and soak up everything he could on IMDB, which further solidified his love for cinema. Films like Back to the Future, The Goonies, and especially The Breakfast Club shaped his understanding of character, dialogue, and emotional honesty. The Breakfast Club in particular stood out, eventually becoming his favorite film because of how the characters spoke, listened, and revealed themselves through conversation. That focus on dialogue would become a defining part of Noah’s creative identity.

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Today, Noah is especially drawn to screenwriting, which he sees as the foundation of every great film. To him, a strong script isn’t about excess or filler; it’s about precision. He values witty, rhythmic dialogue where every exchange has purpose, and where callbacks and narrative threads quietly reinforce the story’s core ideas. “It’s not just words on a page,” Noah explains. “Everything should lead back to something.” That belief has shaped how he approaches writing, revision, and collaboration.

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At Western Kentucky University, Noah is currently enrolled in a screenwriting course that’s helping him sharpen those instincts. Early assignments have focused on writing within strict limitations: shorter scripts, tighter constraints, and less room for indulgence. While challenging, that structure has helped him learn how to say more with less, a skill he knows will be essential as he eventually moves toward feature-length screenplays. Writing a full-length film, he says, is about sustaining attention, balancing subplots, and earning every moment on screen.

Beyond the classroom, Noah is already thinking about what comes next. His long-term goal is to write and direct his own films, but he’s realistic and intentional about the path forward. Rather than chasing instant Hollywood success, he plans to build his portfolio close to home, shooting short films at the soundstage in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he grew up. Each project, no matter the scale, is an opportunity to refine his voice, collaborate with others, and create work he’s proud to share.

Noah also battles with DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), a condition that causes skeletal and heart muscle weakness that gets worse with time. But he doesn’t let it dampen his spirits. He navigates physical limitations daily, but his creative drive remains boundless. “Even though I have physical limitations,” he says, “I have the creative willpower.” His mind is strong and determined to stay “locked in” on his career goals as a filmmaker.

With a sharp eye for dialogue, a deep respect for story, and a clear vision for his future, Noah Payton represents the thoughtful, determined spirit that Gorilla Creative is proud to support. His journey is just beginning, and the scripts he’s writing today may well become the films that inspire the next generation of storytellers.

We are proud to recognize Noah Payton as a Gorilla Creative Film Scholarships recipient and excited to see how his journey continues to unfold. You can see more of his work on his YouTube page. Aside from supporting him through the scholarship funds, we will be conducting a personal AMA where he can spend time talking with the team at Gorilla Creative to learn more about video production from working professionals. Congratulations, Noah!