| Joyzel Acevedo University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Directing Host Company:
Lopez vs Lopez, The Rookie, Happy's Place Favorite Show:
The Leftovers | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, I was entranced by shows like Mad Men, The Sopranos, and The Leftovers, which transported me to places and circumstances I had and will never specifically experience, but explored the very real human condition of people navigating their struggles with themselves and the world, grounding these powerful stories in quiet and personal conflicts: Whether in fantastical or mundane settings, there is something universal about watching broken people strive to repair themselves, fail, and try again. I was also further inspired to seek a career in television by creators such as Ava DuVernay and Linda Yvette Chávez, whose works both focus on authentic and multifaceted portrayals of communities not used to seeing themselves on the screen, and also elevate the very medium they use. Seeing them succeed in telling these narratives motivates me to continue further in my career. |
| Genevieve Agar America Film Institute Conservatory Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Cinematography Host Company:
The Rookie, Happy's Place, For All Mankind Favorite Show:
Insecure | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, my family and I moved to a new place nearly every summer, meaning I was always the new kid at school. Television helped me feel a little less lonely and more connected to the world. |
| Ryan Agnello Quinnipiac Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Production Management Host Company:
Reverie Content Favorite Show:
Community | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I always wanted to work in an industry that is built on creativity. When I was younger I had a strong passion for filmmaking, and my parents supported me as my interest evolved into a career goal. Television has always been a significant way my family bonded, making it easy to decide that it was the career path I wanted to pursue. |
| Ciara Bess
New York University Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Sound Host Company:
Smart Post West Favorite Show:
Game of Thrones | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I never noticed the impact until recently, but as a child, I was always deeply moved by the music in movies. Whether it was Rocky's theme or the music from the "Incredibles," I paid a lot of attention to the sounds and music of a film. This interest has led me to pursue a career path in sound mixing, editing, and design. |
| Zoey Boyd
University of Southern California Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Production: Live Television Host Company:
Bob Bain Productions Favorite Show:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I was inspired to seek a career in television by my passion for making people laugh and bringing them together. Icons like Carol Burnett and Mr. Rogers have profoundly influenced me. I strive to spread joy and create meaningful connections through my work. |
| Dan Brown
Loyola Marymount University Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Getting Real: Unscripted (Post Production) Host Company:
World of Wonder Favorite Show:
The Boys | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
As an adolescent, I made tons of YouTube skits with my friends. I believe that's what sparked my desire to pursue a career in television. It also helped that I watched an unhealthy amount of cartoons when I was a kid. |
| Alexandra Cardona
University of Southern California Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Agency Host Company:
ATB Talent Favorite Show:
Severance | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My father inspired me to seek a career in television, he learned English through American television and we would spend most of our time together watching it, discussing it, and enjoying every element of it. My dream of working in television comes hand in hand with my father's love for it, he taught me to work hard since he has always worked hard to support me and my sister. When I found out about the Emmy program, he was the first one I told because I owe my dream to him. |
| Caroline Chiaramonte
Vanderbilt University Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Development - Children's Host Company:
Cloudco Entertainment Favorite Show:
Pysch | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My career in television was inspired by my students. As someone who taught elementary education, my students inspired me to bring education and entertainment to a larger platform. I aspire to create quality educational and entertaining media. |
| Kaitlyn Davis
Boston University Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Casting Host Company:
Kim Coleman Casting Favorite Show:
Entourage | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I was more of a film girl when it came to what I wanted to do with my life; I always wanted to make movies, while TV was something I could do, but movies were my true passion. I had respect for TV and loved watching it, but it just didn't give me the same feeling as making a movie. Recently, I had a professor for my TV pilot and drama writing class who worked on many TV shows, some of which I watched growing up, and he instilled in me a real love for creating TV. His influence shifted my mindset from film to TV, and his impact has really stuck with me. |
| Jaden Dickson
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Production: Scripted Series Host Company:
STARZ Favorite Show:
Grey's Anatomy | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I have always loved storytelling and grew up playing pretend, writing, and making little movies with my friends and brother. I have also always loved TV, and when I realized that people could have careers in television, I knew that I wanted to play some role in bringing those stories to life. They say in film and television "you never work the same day twice" and the prospect of working in an industry that is constantly evolving and full of passionate people excites me every day as I look toward my future career. |
| Benjamine Duran
Pasadena City College Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Foster Youth Host Company:
Shondaland Favorite Show:
Breaking Bad | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My father inspired me to seek a career in television, he learned English through American television and we would spend most of our time together watching it, discussing it, and enjoying every element of it. My dream of working in television comes hand in hand with my father's love for it, he taught me to work hard since he has always worked hard to support me and my sister. When I found out about the Emmy program, he was the first one I told because I owe my dream to him. |
| Catarina Flores
University of Texas at Austin Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Writing: Drama Host Company:
Two Drifters, Inc. Favorite Show:
Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I discovered just how much television had influenced me when I wrote my first prose story, and it read more like a pilot episode than a novel. Since then, I have really leaned into the longform medium of television- there is such a special connection the audience can develop with characters over long periods of time. Growing up, I was specifically influenced by British television shows like Sherlock, Doctor Who, and Merlin. These shows and settings in the UK still influence my writing today. |
| Carson Foster
Loyola Marymount University Graduation Year: 2026 | Category:
SVFX Host Company:
Barnstorm VFX Favorite Show:
Breaking Bad | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I've always been fascinated by visual storytelling and I love watching TV shows and movies. I was first introduced to video production at a summer camp when I was in elementary school and I have been making short film projects ever since. Because of this, I knew working in the film/TV industry would be an exciting career to get into. |
| Selina Haroon
Loyola Marymount California Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Getting Real: Unscripted (Development) Host Company:
Lighthearted Entertainment Favorite Show:
Normal People | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I watched a lot of different types of television growing up and have always been interested in working within television. The first television show that I remember really having an impact on me was Parks & Rec. |
| Riley Hodgson California State University Northridge Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Getting Real: Unscripted (Development) Host Company:
44 Blue Productions Favorite Show:
Bob's Burgers | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My interest in a career in television sparked from a deep love for visual storytelling which I pursued in college by majoring in film and specializing in documentary. I believe that unscripted series offer a unique and authentic perspective into our world, capturing real emotions. This passion for showcasing these unfiltered aspects of life drives my ambition to create impactful television that resonates with and inspires audiences. |
| Brianna Holmes
University of California, Los Angeles Graduation Year: 2026 | Category:
Interactive Media (New, Media, Social) Host Company:
Warner Bros. Television Group Favorite Show:
Bridgerton | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Television has been a safe space for me to escape the stress if the real world and travel to a place where stories have been expertly crafted to immerse me in their universe. I'm also an actress myself so being involved in the industry from different angles is very exciting to me. |
| Maiya Jannah Brown University Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Production: Scripted Series
Host Company:
The Walt Disney Company Favorite Show:
Big Little Lies | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I have been an avid television-watcher since I was a kid. Before streaming took off, I would spend my time watching clips of my favorite TV shows on YouTube, piecing together the storylines as I went. In the absence of easily accessible full episodes and seasons, I got to create as I watched; these characters became active in my mind, and I learned how to craft a story between expansive narrative gaps. Television has always been a part of my life, but it took me learning more about myself and paying attention to the ways in which I interacted with this medium to realize that my passion, creativity, and drive belong in television. |
| Bailey Johnson
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Production: Documentary/ Nonfiction/ Unscripted Host Company:
Marwar Junction Favorite Show:
New Girl | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I have always been drawn to art in all forms. When I found film and television production, I fell in love with the ability to create a world that others can step into using the power of creative storytelling, and that is what inspired me to pursue it as a career. |
| Lindsey (Ashton) Julian
Alfred University Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Development - Scripted Series Host Company:
National Lampoon Favorite Show:
Seinfeld | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I've always known I was a writer, but it wasn't until I took a screenwriting class that I started to take the possibility of a future in the entertainment industry seriously. While working on student film and theater projects, I got to know so many incredible, passionate people that encourage me to keep creating. The collaborative nature of television is what inspires me because it allows me to not only connect with people in my own life, but also with people all around the world. |
| Dominique Kalunga University of Miami Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Music
Host Company:
Music Box Studios Favorite Show:
Star Trek: The Next Generation | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Artistically, John Williams. Its not a very unique assertion but he's the gold standard of film scoring in my eyes and has always been an incredible inspiration. His music has made me feel like no other has and I aspire to do the same. On a personal level, my father has been a great inspiration. He's been super supportive of my crazy dreams from day one and his faith is unwavering. I can't say how much I appreciate that. |
| Avery King California State University Northridge Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Getting Real: Unscripted (Development) Host Company:
Bunim-Murray Productions Favorite Show:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I grew up doing musical theater and got to work with some amazing professional adults. They all took a chance and chose the artistic career path. This inspired me to dream big and do the same. My family’s escape has always been television and I can’t wait to make the same entertainment for families like mine. |
| Aiko Lozar Chapman University Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Casting
Host Company:
Paramount Favorite Show:
Queen's Gambit | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, my family bonded with each other by watching a "family show" every night after dinner; television shows, and the characters we so related to, were our great unifier. Because of this, my older brother auditioned for these TV shows, and I helped him with his self-tapes. Though this sparked my interest in casting, I really became passionate about it after taking Russell Boast's "Art of Casting" class at Chapman University. Now, I am inspired to seek a career in casting television. |
| Chloe Markie Loyola Marymount University Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Editing
Host Company:
Geiger Post Favorite Show:
I Love Lucy | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy and The Jeffersons were always playing on our TV. Even though these shows were made decades before I was born, I was inspired to start editing because of them. My parents are just as obsessed with these shows and there is nothing we love more than watching them together. This universal connection we all have to television is incredible and something I strive to recreate in every project I edit. |
| Paige McGowan Columbia College Chicago Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Editing Host Company:
Ping Pong Productions Favorite Show:
One Piece! | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My parents have always supported my evolving interests, from video game design, visuals effects, to editing. My interest in technology originates from my dad, who bought me my first computer. Over the years, this would eventually lead to me discovering my love for editing and post production. This, paired with our late nights discussing whatever our show for that week was, ultimately guided me to where I am now. |
| Le'Anne Norfleet
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
PR/Publicity Host Company:
Warner Bros. Television Group Favorite Show:
Doctor Who | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
What inspired me to seek a career in television was a course in Film and TV, that I took during my Freshman year at UCLA. In this course, I learned about different aspects of the television industry and was introduced to various careers in the industry. This course allowed me to see how exciting and interesting it is to work in television. |
| Roxanne Gabrielle Pasiliao University of California, Los Angeles Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Development - Scripted Series
Host Company:
Valhalla Entertainment Favorite Show:
Succession | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I was inspired to seek a career in television after watching interviews of the creator of the series "Succession", Jesse Armstrong. Before that, I was merely a consumer of stories, but after hearing about how he meticulously crafted the narrative of the show, I was compelled to find a way to be someone who made stories. Television is my favorite medium of storytelling because the audience can spend time with the characters for a longer period of time and it gives space to flesh out a whole story. |
| Riya Patchava Michigan State University Graduation Year: 2026 | Category:
Production: Commercials Host Company:
Radical Media, et al Favorite Show:
Fleabag | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
The first movie I really fell in love with was The Sound of Music, something clicked in my head when I saw it for the first time. There was such intentionality with every costuming choice, every line of dialogue, and every note sung. As I grew older and started using my creativity in more complex ways I always seemed to wander back to films and television series to get inspiration. As I started to get more of a sense of what it was like behind the scenes, I was so inspired by what a labor of love the television industry is and wanted to do anything to be a part of it. |
| Freddie Patrick
University of Southern California Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Design - Costume Host Company:
Terry Gordon Favorite Show:
The Sandman | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Television is something that has always brought the people in my life together. My parents and I bonded over watching Star Trek every night and some of my best friends have been made by bonding over the same favorite TV shows. After seeing how much I loved talking about my favorite shows in college, some of my mentors encouraged me to look into costuming for television and film. |
| Dasha Pimenov
USC School of Cinematic Arts (MFA), Middlebury College (BA) Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Getting Real: Unscripted (Development) Host Company:
Endemol Shine North America Favorite Show:
I Love Lucy | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My family, PBS Kids, and history books (strangely enough) have cultivated and nurtured my love for television. My family’s enthralling, multi-generational chronicles have instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling at a young age; the layered plot points and overarching themes of their passed-down stories have even influenced me to view time through seasons — like literal TV seasons. Character-driven narratives and educational content like Arthur, Maya & Miguel, and WordGirl helped me make sense of the world around me growing up. I continued to indulge in never-ending stories with my ardent love for history by reading, writing, and daydreaming about the travels and epics of the human race. |
| Tess Rechtweg New York University Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Development - Scripted Series Host Company:
Shondaland Favorite Show:
Scrubs | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
One of my television professors, Andrew Goldman, inspired me to seek a career in television. I took his class, TV Programming & Concepts, thinking that I would learn more about television history, and the changes in the world that sparked the development of certain series. I came out with a new appreciation for the form, and a want to pursue a television career. From his lectures to his guest speakers, the magic of television development and programming was instilled in me after every lecture. After I accepted this internship, he was the first person I told. |
| Michelle Roldan University of La Verne Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
News: Broadcast Host Company:
Univision Favorite Show:
Dateline | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I am inspired by the news itself. There are many stories that air and all of them are covered in different ways to connect with their audiences. It's inspiring to see how dedicated stations are to informing their viewers in an effective and informative way. |
| Nanda Saboia
Brooklyn College Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Development - Scripted Series Host Company:
Bristol Circle Entertainment Favorite Show:
30 Rock | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up in Brazil, TV was a window to world larger than my own. It motivated me to dream bigger. Once I was established professionally in a different field, I realized I uninspired and leading an apathetic life. I decided to follow my gut, quit a lucrative and start from scratch doing what I love: TV |
| Taylor Shults
University of Georgia Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Physical Production/ Business Management Host Company:
NZK Productions/ Warner Horizon Favorite Show:
Below Deck | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My parents were a major influence on my career aspirations. Growing up my father always pointed out how much people loved television and the feeling of community that comes from it. Combine this with my mother's continuous encouragement to do something that excites me, and I had a clear goal to facilitate the creation of engaging and enthralling television. |
| Daija Smith
West Los Angeles College Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Foster Youth Host Company:
Shondaland Favorite Show:
Grey's Anatomy | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I would say that Shonda Rhimes definitely inspired me to see a career in television. Her shows like Grey’s Anatomy and How To Get Away with Murder and Scandal have definitely saved me in many ways that I can’t even explain. |
| Kerri Stephenson
Emerson College Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Writing: Comedy Host Company:
Phony Content Favorite Show:
Bojack Horseman | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Visionaries like Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae taught me that through television, Black women could be anything. Whether in front of the camera or behind, I learned that television creatives can impact hundreds of thousands of people, just like I was growing up. I continue to be inspired by the Black women who shape not just this industry- but also the world.
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| Miykael Stith
The University of Alabama Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
News: Entertainment Host Company:
EXTRA Favorite Show:
Living Single | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
Tamron Hall, Arsenio Hall, and the opportunity to create and tell meaningful stories that leave an imprint on a consumer’s mind have inspired me to seek a career in television. It's been a passion of mine since I was a child. Along with my influences, early exposure to the world of television sparked my interest in television as well. |
| Dominyk Sutton
Biola University Graduation Year: 2026 | Category:
Agency Host Company:
United Talent Agency Favorite Show:
I Love Lucy | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
At the age of 7 or 8, I had to do a project on Lucille Ball. I learned what a trailblazer she was. She was not limited to just being an actor, she was a producer, writer, and director as well. She inspired me by knowing that you do not have to put limits on what you do in television. |
| Ashley Trail Otis College of Art and Design Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Production: Animation - Hand drawn
Host Company:
Titmouse, Inc. Favorite Show:
The Great British Bake-off | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
My storyboarding instructor / mentor, Chris Robertson, worked as a storyboard artist in television before he started teaching. I was really inspired by his professional accomplishments, and of course he encouraged me to apply to this opportunity. I'm also incredibly lucky to have an amazing group of friends that study animation, and are constantly introducing me to new shows! |
| Shokie Tseumah
The Theatre School at DePaul University Graduation Year: 2024 | Category:
Design - Art Direction/ Set Decoration Host Company:
Adam Rowe (CBS Paramount - Matlock) Favorite Show:
New Girl | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I grew up with a love for tv shows and the way it can bring people together through the shared act of watching the same thing at the same time. I love the ways you can be immersed in a story that can take you to another world, and the ways you can be changed emotionally by fictional events. I want to be someone who can tell the kind of stories that resonate and stay with the audience long after they've turned off the tv and make a small impact with every rerun. |
| Yinuo (Norman) Wei
University of Southern California - School of Cinematic Arts Graduation Year: 2025 | Category:
Production: Animation - CG Host Company:
Lex and Otis Favorite Show:
The Daily Show on Comedy Central | What inspired you to seek a career in television?
I watch a lot of TV talk shows. As an immigrant, I relied on those for entertainment and a source to help me assimilate into American society. I since realized the importance of television to the American culture, which ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in the industry. |
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