Building Bridges: How the Experience Residencies Cohort Took Shape

Rigorous Application Review Process:

As we kick off the second cycle of the Experience Residency program, we thought we’d share some insights on the application and review process.

This year, we took the opportunity to build even stronger connections with the creative community before the application window opened. Right from the start, we connected with industry organizations and alumni groups, including BIPOC Doc Editors, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Academy Gold Rising, and The Los Angeles Film School. Together, we hosted informational sessions to offer their members a closer look at the program’s goals and opportunities. We were lucky to have past Residents, Adiana Rivera and Moh Rahman, join us to share their first-hand experiences of how Experience Residencies has changed the course of their careers.

Deepening communication channels with impact and field-building professionals allowed us to connect an engaged pool of potential applicants. We are grateful to every organization and individual who helped us get the word out, including Find Your People Program, Ghetto Film School, Manhattan Edit Workshop, Archival Producers Alliance, Chicken and Egg Films, Field House Productions , Joy Coalition, Blackstar, and Illuminative, to name a few!

After the 4-week application window closed, we were blown away by the quality of the 400 applications we received! Each one was carefully reviewed by two independent reviewers—Experience Program Directors completed the first round, and a trusted review board of industry professionals generously volunteered their time to provide a second evaluation.

Following a rigorous review process, the pool was narrowed to a set of 40 candidates.Over the next three weeks, we had the chance to meet candidates via Zoom interviews,during which we got to know each applicant’s unique talents and ambitions.The level of skill, focus, and readiness displayed by the finalists made the selection process both thrilling and challenging.

In the final stage, leadership from the Experience Host Studios joined for a second round of interviews with 15 finalists. During decision week, everything clicked as the five selected residents naturally found a perfect fit with their respective studios.

Expanding Opportunities Beyond the Residency:

We’re proud to share that nearly 50% of Experience applicants learned about the program through impact organizations. Of the academic institutions with which we collaborated early on, LA Film School led the way in applicant numbers — including Carmen Bartolome, who is now an editorial resident at Union Editorial in Santa Monica.

We are equally heartened to learn great news about applicants who have locked in other opportunities, two of whom are among the new cohort of the Karen Schmeer Editing Fellowship.

Throughout the process, we’ve met so many talented and passionate individuals, and we could not be more excited about what’s to come. Industry Standard is always networking with hiring leadership and are building more activations and bespoke partnerships to open pathways and develop the next generation of talent.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build bridges that connect talent with opportunity!