GV Film/Video Alumni Network Newsletter
November 2024 Edition
In Memoriam
Alumni Network President’s Message
On Location
Lights, Camera, Lakers!
Base Camp
In Pre-Production
Volunteer Opportunities
GVSU Film/Video Alumni Board would like to honor the memory and mourn the passing of 2015 graduate Tyler Wiewiora. Tyler was cherished by all who knew him and was a beloved crew member on any project he worked on. We will always be thankful for having been with him again when he invited us to the 2024 alumni gathering at Arktos Meadery where he worked.
Tyler’s family has created an email address to share your memories. The goal is share the stories with his daughters in the future. They would love to hear about his days at GVSU. memoriesoftylerwiewiora@gmail.com
Another note from the family: “Instead of sending flowers, we invite you to honor Tyler’s legacy by supporting one of his beloved organizations.”
West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC): This organization mirrors his values, and gave him a place to volunteer for a cause that mattered most to him. His vision was to inspire others to take steps toward environmental responsibility, ensuring that future generations could experience the same beauty of Michigan’s natural world. WMEAC educates, engages, and advocates for environmental values, environmental and climate justice, and a healthy and resilient community for all.
Tyler will be greatly missed.
Welcome to the Film/Video Alumni Fall 2024 Newsletter! As we dive into another exciting year, your Film/Video Alumni Network Board is thrilled to share our goals and recent achievements with you!
During our annual advisory board meeting, we heard from both alumni and current students about the unique needs within our community. One resonating theme was the desire for connection, especially among our newest graduates.
To foster this sense of belonging, we’re prioritizing in-person engagement this year. We kicked things off with a fantastic Homecoming Tailgate, and we’re looking forward to our upcoming reunion in Chicago. Be sure to check the details later in this newsletter—you won’t want to miss out!
Another important insight from our meeting was the need for sustainability within our board. After nine years, we’ve built a small dedicated team of alumni volunteers, but we know we can do even more! To enhance our efforts, we’re establishing committees focused on specific initiatives. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to embody our "Laker for a Lifetime" spirit and connect with fellow passionate alumni and students. You can find more information about these new committees at the end of the newsletter.
Thank you for being such a vital part of the Film/Video Alumni Network. If you’re not already connected, be sure to join us on our social media platforms—let’s keep the conversation going!
Warm Regards
— Katie Dehn (2006)
GVSU Film and Video Alumni Network Board President
Women in Cinema Mentorship Program Director
LOS ANGELES
Check out this video about the 2024 Spring Break career exploration trip to LA.
Plans are underway for the 2025 Spring Break Career Exploration trip to Chicago.
CHICAGO
Spring Break 2025, Suzanne Zack (1981), GVSU Career Advisor Lisa Knapp, and a group of 10 students will visit Chicago for an immersive career exploration trip. If you work in Chicago and would like to offer a tour or advice to the students, reach out to Suzanne at Zacks@gvsu.edu.
Save the date for an ALUMNI GATHERING in Chicago on Monday, March 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Look for the official invite early next year with detailed information. We’d love to see you there! Thanks to GV alum Bryen Hensley (1993), co-owner of Noise Floor Sound Solutions, for hosting the gathering.
WEST MICHIGAN
Alums Syd Martin, Kyle Macciomei, Nathan Mitchell, and Jackson Ezinga reconnect at Arktos Meadery.
Over the summer West Michigan alums met at Arktos Meadery for networking, conversations, and drinks. Thanks to Tyler Wiewiora (2015) for organizing!
Vulcanizadora, Joel Potrykus’ (1999) most recent feature premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC to a sold out crowd! At the premiere, Joel was most proud of seeing his small-town crew of fellow GV filmmakers on the red carpet. Other alums from both New York and the mid-Michigan area joined the celebration.
“It's such a rush to watch the faces of strangers as this beast you've been crafting for a year is finally unleashed to an unknowing public. It was a validating experience to spend time with former students in the early stages of their careers, hearing their thoughts about the film, their NYC experiences, and where they hope to go next.”
Kudos to Matt Burns (2008) for reaching his 13-year anniversary as a replay operator and telestration tape editor for ESPN’s live game productions. His work can be seen on NBA, NFL, as well as college football and basketball broadcasts.
“Working at ESPN has been an invaluable experience and helped me sharpen my skills to a level that I'm not sure can be matched anywhere else in this industry. If you've seen content on any ESPN network, I have probably at one point had a hand in producing and editing it.”
Kirie Quackenbush (2019) was a guest speaker at this year’s Mosaic Film Experience event in their Power of Possible: Changing the Narrative through the Power of Storytelling series. She discussed the work that led to her obtaining her dream job at Electronic Arts as a Cinematic Artist for The Sims 4!
“I gave an eye-opener on what it really takes to make your dream career come true, especially in our current digital era. It’s important to always pursue what you care about the most, and consistency will eventually lead to success!”
Congratulations to Jason Roth (2003) for his latest article in Grand Rapids Magazine about independent filmmaking in West Michigan featuring many of GV’s filmmaking alums.
Next year, Jason’s feature film Too Dead to Die will see its long-awaited streaming release! He’s also back at work on his animated series Sticky Fingers, which was delayed due to the pandemic. Jason will return to the live-action feature sphere when his next film, Dusty, rolls camera in summer 2025. A link to some of Jason’s projects can be found here.
Film & Video Alumni Network Board members Randy Strobl, Suzanne Zack, Katie Dehn, and Michele Terpstra. Photo by Dan Terpstra.
FILM AND VIDEO ALUMNI TAILGATE
Over 30 alums and students stopped by for cider, donuts, and conversation at the 1st Alumni/Student Film and Video Tailgate before the GVSU Homecoming Game. We all enjoyed connecting and reconnecting!
ALUMNI PRESENT
Alumni shared their experiences during the first two Alumni Present events.
Erika Pineiro-Werksma demonstrates the process of creating a mold to cast a prop.
Thanks to Erika Pineiro-Werksma from Mad Props for teaching students and alums about working in the art department by guiding them through the complicated process of creating props.
Thanks to the crew of It Might Get Weird, for sharing their film and offering advice about filmmaking. Special shout out to Writer/Director Zach Noonan (2020), Producer Gillian Noonan (2021), 1st AD Marion Jamet (2019), Cinematographer Jordan Skutar (2021), Sound Mixer Blaine Brown (2019), and G&E Connor Hawkins (2019). Thanks also to Joel Potrykus and his Fiction Filmmaking II class for hosting and asking such great questions.
FILM & VIDEO ALUMNI PROFILE BOOK EXPANSION
Link to form to be featured in the FVP Alumni Profile Book
Current sophomore Miguel Hernandez has been passionate about filmmaking for as long as he can remember. During the pandemic, he had the opportunity to leave his home in Mexico to live with his aunt in Grand Rapids. In an unfamiliar country where he was not fluent in the language, Miguel used filmmaking to expand his knowledge and familiarize himself with his new home.
His first short film, Volador, was inspired by his journey from Mexico to the US. It premiered at the Wealthy Theatre to a sold out audience! While not a GVSU project, Miguel cites the success of Volador’s as his proudest moment as a filmmaker.
Miguel looks forward to learning more about filmmaking and building relationships in his GVSU classes.
“I want to give special thanks to my family in Mexico and my family and friends in Grand Rapids. I send them big hugs!”
F/V Alumni Board Committees
We’re excited to announce the launch of several new committees within the Film/Video Alumni Network, designed to help you get involved in meaningful ways! Whether you’d like to contribute your expertise, connect with fellow alumni, or support specific projects, we have a place for you on the board.
Why Committees?We know that your time is valuable. That’s why our committees are structured to be flexible. You can contribute as much or as little as you’re able, and if your circumstances change, you can pause your involvement at any time. Every contribution matters, and we appreciate the diverse skills and perspectives each of you brings to our community.
Here’s a list of the committees and projects seeking your involvement:
Executive Board: Help shape the direction of the Network by participating in planning and decision-making.
Mentorship: Foster connections between seasoned professionals and recent graduates to support their career journeys or join the mentorship advisory team to help strengthen the program through input, marketing, and by developing the mentor training.
The Podcast: Contribute to Alumni Live: The Podcast by sharing insights, stories, and interviews that highlight the vibrant alumni community and issues relevant to the media industry.
The Newsletter: Help us curate content that keeps alumni informed and engaged.
Networking Events: Plan and execute various networking opportunities, both virtual and in-person, to build community.
Alumni Profile Book: Collaborate on a project that showcases our alumni and their diverse achievements.
Capstone Celebration: Be part of the planning team for our in-person event on April 16 from 4-7 PM, celebrating film students’ accomplishments.
Advisory Board: Participate in an annual virtual meeting to share your insights and help guide our initiatives.
If you’re interested in joining a committee, complete this form or reach out to Suzanne Zack at zacks@gvsu.edu.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on our alumni community while strengthening our connection and having fun through the process. We look forward to your involvement!
Writers and Contributors to this edition of the newsletter:
Adam Brown (2021)
Kelly Loughlin (2015)
Katie Dehn (2006)
Michele Terpstra (1995)
Suzanne Zack (1981)
Layout and formatting for this edition of the newsletter:
Emma Koppers (2025)