November 2023 Edition
Alumni Network President’s Message
In Pre-Production
On Location
Lights, Camera, Lakers!
Walk of Fame
Behind the Scenes Wellness
Base Camp
Alumni Resources
Welcome to the first edition of the Reel Connections Newsletter, a publication that has been carefully crafted with these goals in mind: to connect and empower our valued film and video alumni family. We are all Lakers for a Lifetime and our mission is to ensure that you continue to receive the support, resources, and opportunities needed to achieve your career aspirations.
Whether you're embarking on your first job, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the film and video industry, seeking guidance and inspiration, or just want to connect with other alumni, this newsletter is for you. We are committed to providing you with insightful content, networking opportunities, and a platform to share your successes, challenges, and dreams.
— Katie Dehn (2006)
GVSU Film and Video Alumni Network Board President
Women in Cinema Mentorship Program Director
Hannah Scout Dunaway, a senior in the major, will be joining the Michigan Film Industry Association (MIFIA) in Lansing this December to speak in support of the Multimedia Jobs Act. In September, she attended a Breakfast with Legislators as a MIFIA student advocate with fellow GVSU Seniors. The event encouraged her to delve deeper into the organization, the Multimedia Jobs Act, and advocacy within filmmaking.
Atlanta
To reinforce this year’s theme of connection, the Film & Video Alumni Network organized its first virtual meet-up for alumni working in Atlanta, GA. The Lakers discussed their experience working in Atlanta, from how they started to where they are now, and how they found their community. They also shared advice with two recent graduates in attendance about different types of entry-level jobs and how to network. Some of the alumni had already met each other either at GVSU or on a project, but now they all have a few more connections.
We hope that this meet-up will inspire Lakers in other cities to host their own—virtually or in person!
— Kira Mason (2023)
Kudos to:
ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby (2015) on receiving his MFA in writing and directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts! He is currently working on 2 feature film scripts and editing his thesis short, The Beguiling. See what he’s up to at www.ishkwaazhe.com.
New Adventures
Only 600 people have ever been to all 195 countries in the world. In early 2024, not only is Michael Angelo Zervos (2012) going to all of them, he is looking to break the Guinness World Record for being the fastest human ever to do so.
There's a deeper meaning to his travels. In every country, he will ask everyone he meets one question: "what is the happiest moment of your life?" In doing so, he hopes to collect a repository of happiness to help remind others that happiness is attainable wherever, whoever, whatever you are.
Follow along at www.project-kosmos.com and view a short video about it here.
Jamie Bartkowicz (2014) started The Essential Art Department (TEAD) back in January 2021 with her colleague/former boss, Brandi Creason. They host multiple 6-week long courses and 1-day workshops with students from LA to India, teaching about the many aspects of working in the Art Department!
Jamie never thought she would become a teacher, but she loves being able to work full-time in the entertainment industry (currently at Walt Disney Studios), while also being able to share relevant and real-world experiences.
Check out TEAD at www.theessentialartdepartment.com.
Tommy O'Rourke (2004) has formed a GVSU Voltron of fellow alumni for his most recent film project Barney & Herb, starring Jonah Ray (Mystery Science Theater 3k) and legendary character actor Peter Jason (They Live; Deadwood). The post/production squad includes: Josh Sathre (2005, Producer), John Otterbacher (2003, Executive Producer), Patrick Priest (2004, AP), Hannah Rose Lynch (2016, Script Supervisor) and Talon Rudel (2017, SFX, BTS, Poster Design).
He wrote this project 6 years ago with the intention of it being nice and easy to shoot… then a global pandemic happened, he got married, had a little baby girl, then kicked all those people out of the house to shoot a short film for 2 days. Then they ran out of money. They’re trying to raise finishing funds to complete post production and for film festival submissions around the country to bring Barney & Herb out into the world!
Nicole Saucerman (2015) is currently VFX Coordinator in Los Angeles for Fallout season 1 at Prime Video & Amazon studios. Previously, she’s worked on Barry at HBO and The Mother at Netflix. The Barry season 4 VFX team has been nominated for an HPA award in Supporting VFX.
Navigating Career Crossroads: When to Move On
Michele Terpstra (1995)
In a week, there are 168 hours. While we devote roughly a third of this time to sleep, a significant portion of our waking moments is dedicated to work. For a job to foster success, it should ideally align with your skills, offer a healthy work-life balance, and provide fair compensation and benefits.
I count myself fortunate to hold a job that I'm passionate about. I find it fulfilling as I contribute meaningfully, and I'm respected within the workplace. The diversity of projects I'm involved in keeps my work engaging. Additionally, I receive appropriate compensation for my time and efforts. However, I've recently observed some friends grappling with the difficult decision of leaving their current positions for roles better suited to their needs. For some, the motivation to leave was driven by low pay and a sense of underappreciation. Another friend contemplated leaving a job they deeply believed in due to the presence of a toxic work environment and a narcissistic boss, turning each workday into a miserable experience. Another common concern I've encountered is work-life balance; individuals feel that they don't spend enough time with their families while being expected to work evenings and weekends. I can empathize with this as I once held a job that drained my enthusiasm and felt soul-sucking. As someone with ADHD, I thrive as a problem solver, but managing hundreds of small details all day was simply not within my skill set.
Making the decision to leave a job is a weighty choice, one that requires careful consideration of several vital factors.
Assess Your Overall Job Satisfaction: Begin by evaluating your job satisfaction. Consider the workplace culture, your compensation, benefits, and work-life balance. Reflect on how these elements affect your overall well-being and happiness.
Align with Long-Term Goals: Think about your career aspirations and whether your current job aligns with your professional objectives. Assess the potential for growth and advancement within the company.
Mental Well-Being Matters: Examine the impact on your mental health. Toxic work environments or dealing with a narcissistic boss can significantly affect your mental well-being. Gauge the level of stress and its influence on your overall happiness.
Financial Stability: Evaluate your financial situation, taking into account your pay, benefits, and financial obligations. Don’t forget to consider factors like health insurance into the equation.
Explore Alternative Pathways: Research other job opportunities and market conditions. Gain insights into the potential for finding a job with a healthier work environment, improved work-life balance, and better compensation.
Seek Support and Advice: Don't hesitate to share your concerns with trusted friends, family, mentors, a professional counselor, or even advisors at Grand Valley’s Career Center. Their external perspectives can provide valuable insights and help you attain the clarity needed to make an informed decision.
Remember that the choice to leave a job is deeply personal, influenced by your unique circumstances and priorities. If you find it challenging to decide, seeking professional advice or counseling can be a valuable step in the process.
Greetings from your GVSU Base Camp!
We are sighing with relief that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have finally settled and everyone is back to work. Congratulations on their success!
We have a few things in the works here on campus and around the state to share with you.
Filmmaking may be once again making its way back to Michigan. Industry professionals and student representatives will be traveling to the capital in Lansing to speak with the state’s “art friendly” Congress about new legislation aimed at keeping productions in Michigan. The Multimedia Jobs Act functions less like a tax incentive and more like a grant, and focuses primarily on Michigan-based projects, as opposed to the tax incentive targeting Hollywood productions. Watch this space!
We have a brand new production and sound studio! The best acoustics on campus are now in the Calder Arts Center Production Studio. We have an actual sound stage, complete with the best sound system the program has ever had. Class demos have transformed to a more professional approach, as we’re now planning on building set walls and adding a new Ronin 4D camera system to advanced production courses. The studio is in close proximity to the wood and metals shop, where we just built a Foley pit and will be building those set walls. We were sad (in a nostalgic way) to say goodbye to the old studio in Kirkhof, but we’re thrilled with the improvements and the location of the new studio.
The Summer Film Project continues to thrive and is now under the leadership of alum and now Professor Joel Potrykus! Joel was hired as a tenure-track (now called “tenure-stream”) faculty and has already taken us to new heights. The last two Summer Film Projects, Thing from the Factory by the Field and Unemployees are currently streaming on the prestigious Criterion Channel. Our hope is to attract a new audience to the Summer Films, while putting GVSU on the map in parts of the industry that may not be aware of our talented crews and cast members in West Michigan.
Our Animation/New Media areas are providing opportunities “to boldly go where no GV FVP student has gone before!” Professor Julie Goldstein is expanding the reach of end user experiences by incorporating augmented and virtual reality. She is also coordinating collaborations with other disciplines through internship opportunities at a new innovation studio downtown. Their most recent project included visualizing the future of Grand Rapids during Tech Week with a series of mixed reality experiences on the Blue Bridge. Check out this link: GR in XR was a big hit in the community and showcased our program and GVSU as leaders with the implementation new media in innovative ways.
And finally, we are excited to share that a Film and Video Production Minor is in the works and making its way through the various approval stages. We are optimistic that it will begin as soon as Fall 2024 semester. The 18-credit FVP Minor will include most of the foundational coursework and then focus on nonfiction production (client-based and documentary works) in the upper-level courses. The Minor is poised to complement any major due to the universality of media production and the high demand for video content. It’s no surprise that people are figuring out that although “anyone can make a video” it takes a bit of knowledge and practice to produce a quality production and to learn how to “work well with others” to achieve success.
Of course, we know our secret weapon is the strong and active Film and Video alumni network, so thank you for all that you contribute to current students and recent graduates. You are the envy of all alumni networks at GVSU!
— Kim Roberts
Alumni Relations - The GVSU Alumni Relations office empowers Grand Valley alumni to achieve their lifelong learning and professional development goals. We connect, inform, engage, and support alumni throughout every stage of their life and career.
Update your contact information - Get connected with campus communications such as this newsletter, event invitations, and campus updates.
Volunteer Opportunities - Find places to serve alumni and current students through mentorship, student support, and leadership opportunities.
Adult Student Programs - With offerings like their online skill-focused certificates, Grand Valley will help get your career and your life to the next level.
Certificates (for credit/non credit) - Earn the credentials you need to advance your career with in-demand skills-based adult programming. Discover exciting certificates (More Available!):
FVP Alumni Network - Resources created by FVP Alumni Network Board Volunteers
Alumni Live: The Podcast - Check out our podcast to reflect on current industry topics and learn what other alumni are up to! Season 3 has gone live!
Alumni Book - Wonder what types of jobs are out there for film grads? Check out our GVSU Alumni book for real life alumni profiles showcasing their careers and see where past classmates have landed!
Women in Cinema Mentorship Program - Female Alumni volunteering to mentor current female students in the FVP Program! Sharing experiences and being a sounding board for the next generation of filmmakers!
FVP Alumni Reunions - We plan to host multiple events each year for alumni to connect, network, and grow together through in person and virtual meetups.
Want to support current FVP students? Learn about the Dirk Koning Memorial Film & Video Scholarship here, or the Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship here!