1) What were you doing before you started the YEP program? What is your current role?
Last month, I started in my new role as a Virtual Production Operations Coordinator at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)! I coordinate hardware for location and Virtual Production shoots, as well as working on the day-to-day operations of the Virtual Production team. Prior to joining ILM, I was working in Digital Operations at Nordstrom, while also working on an independent animated series with some friends. I've known for many years that I wanted to be a part of the film industry, but wasn't sure how to begin. My time in the fashion industry at Nordstrom was such a valuable learning experience, and I am so thankful to have had incredible leaders who inspired me to think big about my future.
2) How did you hear about the YEP program?
I learned about the YEP program from a former YEP alum, Dominic Koponen. I was introduced to Dominic through a mutual friend and he spoke about his experience in the mentorship. He suggested I check it out, and I'm really grateful that I did! I had no idea that opportunities like this were out there.
3) What made you decide to apply?
Once I learned about the program, I started my application that same day. I knew that opportunities like this don't come around every day, so I wanted to make sure that I grabbed this chance when I could! My thought process for breaking into the film industry was that I had to do everything in my power to network and absorb as much advice as possible. I figured that this opportunity would be the perfect way to meet people and learn from mentors who had previously been in my shoes and were able to excel in the industry.
4) Can you describe what the program has been like for you? What have been the most valuable parts?
The program has been amazing for me so far. I have met so many talented people from all across the entertainment industry, from photographers, to production assistants, to musicians and artists. I feel so fortunate to have met the other mentees in the group, as well as the mentors. Before we were assigned our mentors, I was able to speak with other mentors in the program and hear about their experiences. Of course, navigating the mentorship through the pandemic was a bit of a challenge, but also a blessing, because when people were at home, it was easy to hop on a Zoom call just to chat with someone! We also had some in person meetups, which were incredibly valuable for me as well. Meeting my colleagues in the program made me feel less alone on my own path!
5) Can you talk a little about your mentor and the relationship the two of you have forged?
My Mentor is James Blevins, who is currently a Media Consultant with Valid Essence. Before we were assigned mentors, early on in the program I asked James if we could have a Zoom meeting so I could learn more about his path through the film industry. I wanted to learn more about how he found his way, and how he landed in post production. He gave me some great advice, and even still in our recent meetings he has shared some fantastic words of wisdom. I'm incredibly grateful to hear about his experiences, because it informs how I navigate the industry and make decisions. Plus, to have a fellow Star Wars fan as a mentor that's fun too!
6) What would you say to someone who is considering applying?
The best advice that I could give someone who wants to break into the entertainment industry is that networking is one of the best tools in your arsenal, and you have to make sure that you are committing to meeting new people, breaking out of your shell, and learning about others and the steps that they took. This mentorship is a fantastic networking opportunity. It is a chance to network, get fantastic advice, and grow your knowledge of the film industry. I would also say that with any opportunity like this it is what you make it. You could meet as many or as few people as you would like, which can be a bit scary at first. But in my experience, putting myself out there was more than worth it!
Most recent headlines
09/11/2025
Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...
16/10/2025
Student Spotlight: Alan Villanueva The graduate student and saxophonist, who performed on Natalia Lafourcades Latin Grammy-nominated Live at Carnegie Hall alb...
16/10/2025
The XR Sports Alliance (XRSA) has announced the third cohort of members. The new members include MLSE, Vegas Golden Knights, Pro Climbing League, FansXR, Focal ...
16/10/2025
NEW YORK The Broadcasters Foundation of America has launched its 2025 Year-End Giving Campaign which seeks to raise donations from tax-deductible personal and c...
16/10/2025
NEW YORK Australias Nine Network and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a media partnership that will bring the worlds premier professional ice ho...
16/10/2025
Parks Associates has released new data showing that nearly half (45%) of U.S. internet homes watch free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services and 89% of U.S...
16/10/2025
TROY, Mich. -New data from J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Study shows that residential wireless internet providers are growing...
16/10/2025
This Saturday October 18 Katja Mia will burst onto the radio airwaves for the first time as she joins 2FM. Katja will be standing in for Bl thnaid Treacy on Sat...
16/10/2025
This October, RT is delighted to support Wexford Festival Opera, Babor International Arts Festival for Children, Open House Dublin and 36 other arts and cultu...
16/10/2025
GeForce NOW is more than just a platform to stream fresh games every week - it offers celebrations for the gamers who make it epic, with member rewards to sweet...
15/10/2025
Across the world, early-career reporters are interrogating systems that shape daily life, from mortuaries and classrooms to the corridors of legal education and...
15/10/2025
St. Louis Blues Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in New Pregame Open VideoThe NHL franchise worked with production firms 2WEI and 4th Floor CreativeBy Mark J Burns,...
15/10/2025
Cobalt Digital, G3DVu, Proxima Vision, and Telos Alliance Renew Premier Sponsors...
15/10/2025
By Paige Bethmann
Before my grandmother passed away in 2019, I went to visit her in the hospital where she'd been for a few weeks. When I arrived, the nurs...
15/10/2025
Two years ago, Spotify set out to grow the entire publishing industry by making ...
15/10/2025
People turn to DJ for a listening experience that feels personal, dynamic, and j...
15/10/2025
Las personas recurren a DJ para vivir una experiencia de escucha personal, din m...
15/10/2025
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen and luminary actor Jeremy Allen White came togethe...
15/10/2025
At Spotify, we're all about supporting rising talent and helping them connec...
15/10/2025
New SBS Documentary Series THE CANCER KILLERS Premieres 4 November on SBS & SBS ...
15/10/2025
SBS celebrates the Festivals of Lights with bold, illuminating stories across th...
15/10/2025
One of humanity's most profound questions continues: Is there any place in our galaxy suitable for life beyond Earth? NASA intends to find out, with the hel...
15/10/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
15/10/2025
Scality, a global leader in cyber-resilient storage software for the AI era, today announced the advancement of its comprehensive AI ecosystem certification pro...
15/10/2025
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today unveiled key highlights of the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, scheduled for Feb. 15 19 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Go...
15/10/2025
At NAB Show New York 2025 (Stand 244), Interra Systems will showcase the future of media QC, monitoring, and captioning, highlighting its award-winning, AI- and...
15/10/2025
Grass Valley today announced that RMC BFM, part of the CMA-CGM Group and France's third-largest private media group, has chosen Grass Valley's productio...
15/10/2025
Appear, the global leader in live production technology, will demonstrate how its powerful hardware and software innovations are shaping the future of hybrid, s...
15/10/2025
Rakim to Join Berklee's Hip-Hop Hall of Fame at Signature Series Concert The rap icon becomes the latest inductee, following luminaries such as Roxanne Sh...
15/10/2025
Berklee Brings Live Music to the Head of the Charles Student artists will perform on multiple riverfront stages during the 60th anniversary of the world's...
15/10/2025
CobbTV, the government access television channel for Cobb County, Ga. recently acquired an automated playout system from Pebble, a global provider of automation...
15/10/2025
OSLO, Norway Appear, the global leader in live production technology, will demonstrate how its powerful hardware and software innovations are shaping the future...
15/10/2025
NEW YORK The NBA is making major changes to the NBA App and NBA TV as it takes control of them from TNT Sports, which has long managed the league's digital ...
15/10/2025
SAN MATEO, Calif. In what promises to be a major expansion of interactive features and personalized content on the DirecTV platform, the operator and Glance hav...
15/10/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Roku has launched changes to its user interface (UI) that the streaming platform says will better showcase original programming on the platform...
15/10/2025
LOS ANGELES Software-defined data storage and data services provider OpenDrives has elevated Alex Dunfey to chief technology officer, responsible for driving th...
15/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 15, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
15/10/2025
Sheldon Nichols and Will Trickett to find and prepare more classic cars for budget conscious would-be owners from Wiser Films
UKTV have recommissioned the clas...
15/10/2025
Wednesday 15 October 2025
Nick Cave
JPEG (275 KB)
Explore the creative univer...
15/10/2025
Wednesday 15 October 2025
From breaking up with your partner to quitting your job - new polling shows some messages are just too scary to send
Over a fifth (...
15/10/2025
Rohde & Schwarz unveils compact MXO 3 oscilloscopes with 4 and 8 channels: Advan...
15/10/2025
Back to All News
Revenge Series The Resurrected' Captivates Audiences Across Asia
Entertainment
15 October 2025
GlobalTaiwan
Link copied to clipboard
...
15/10/2025
Back to All News
Bringing the Best in VFX and Virtual Production Together as Eyeline
Jeffrey Shapiro
CEO, Eyeline
Business
15 October 2025
GlobalCanadaInd...
15/10/2025
Deployed by Astound Business Solutions, Harmonic's Primary Distribution Solution Ensures Outstanding Video Quality and Seamless Ad Insertion at the Edge
SA...
15/10/2025
Collaboration extends a trusted relationship as RMC BFM invests in scalable, fut...
15/10/2025
Series coming in 2026 stars Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Justine Mitchell and Jason O'Mara released today
RT today released first look images of new comedy-drama ...
14/10/2025
SVG Europe Summit 2025: All Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAYNetworking event that preceded IBC2025 shone a light on elite live sports innovation acro...
14/10/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Author Rich Podolsky on Writing Madden & Summerall: How They Revo...
14/10/2025
SVG All-Stars: Michael Reiners, Coordinating Producer, FloRacingThe Illinois State grad steers a vast schedule of motorsports events at tracks across the countr...
1) What were you doing before you started the YEP program? What is your current role?
