Building Bridges: How the New Experience Residencies Cohort Took Shape
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.
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!
Founded to bridge talent with opportunity, Industry Standard collaborates with filmmakers, artists, studios, brands, and change agents to build dynamic, inclusive teams within the content creation workforce.
Our goal is to raise the Industry Standard.
Purpose
- Transforming how talent is discovered, nurtured, and championed in the creative fields requires a collective effort; no single entity can drive this shift alone.
- Through active dialogue with colleagues in the field, we identify industry gaps and help to resource talent capable of filling those roles, facilitating opportunities for emerging talent to thrive.
- In fast-paced creative environments, time constraints often hinder the process of discovering and nurturing new talent.
- Industry Standard streamlines this process by identifying, placing, and cultivating talent ready for advancement in both their craft and professional setting.
- We support the progress led by the culture change community and strive to accelerate this momentum through unique initiatives, including special collaborations and research efforts aimed at uncovering new insights.
Industry Standard exists to serve as a catalyst, uniting efforts to broaden the creative workforce and synthesize action that yields greater access and opportunity.
Initiatives
A nine-month paid program, Experience by Industry Standard is a beacon for aspiring post production professionals.
Experience by Industry Standard uniquely combines hands-on work experience on commissioned projects with a comprehensive mentorship model provided by industry veterans working at the top of their respective fields. Experience Residents enjoy personalized guidance, the opportunity to develop skills and confidence, and ongoing networking and career development support. In the process, mentors enjoy the invaluable opportunity to reflect upon the methods of their craft.
Applications period has ended. Sign up for updates to be the first to know what is next!
Lunch in This Town
(Coming Soon)
About
Bedonna Smith and Jennifer Sofio Hall, co-founders of Industry Standard, are visionary leaders dedicated to reshaping the creative landscape. Recognizing the untapped potential within post production to offer fulfilling, lasting careers, they piloted a program at MakeMake Entertainment, the precursor to Experience by Industry Standard. With continuing support from The Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, the initiative provides invaluable work experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities to artists and producers in premium post production.
Bedonna Smith is an executive producer and impact leader working with creatives, activists and advocates to propel narrative change and advance initiatives that support regeneration. With experience in documentary, live television, branded content, and movement work, Smith’s efforts have accelerated the missions of Emerson Collective, XQ Institute, Stand Up To Cancer, Entertainment Industry Foundation, National Domestic Worker’s Alliance, i am a voter, American Indian College Fund, and others. With Dawn Porter and Joy Gorman Wettels, Smith is an executive producer of the upcoming HBO Documentary series Eyes On The Prize.
Jennifer Sofio Hall is an Emmy award-winning producer and dynamic leader in the production industry, known for her dedication to innovation and growth. Under her leadership, content creator MakeMake emerged as a leading force in advertising and entertainment, designing industry-changing titles for television and film from Game of Thrones to The Last of Us and collaborating with some of advertising’s best creative talent, winning dozens of awards, including Cannes Lions, BAFTAs and Emmys.
Together, Bedonna and Jennifer are committed to revolutionizing the production landscape by cultivating dynamic, inclusive teams poised to shape the future of content creation.
Program Details
Experience by Industry Standard is a nine-month paid program in which early to mid-career professionals in the field of post production are selected for placement within leading Host Studio environments working in the fields of film, television, advertising, branded content and gaming. The program is designed to offer practical work experience, promote professional growth, and career planning through a comprehensive mentorship model.
Specialized positions are available across these premium content producers:
Key Features of the Experience Residencies
In addition to practical work experience, the program will include:
- ongoing mentorship with professionals in the Host Studios
- support and advisement with Experience program directors
- panels and workshops featuring industry guest speakers
- access to industry gatherings and networking opportunities
- post-program career development support from Industry Standard
Timeline + Application Review Process
The application criteria intend to gather a holistic view of each candidate, including a statement of interest, resumé, biography, work samples, and letters of recommendation.
Each application is independently evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers in the relevant discipline.Those advancing proceed to a series of interviews, which take place by video conference.
The review process takes approximately 8 weeks before offer letters are extended to the next cohort of Residents.
The nine-month program will begin approximately August 2024 and run through April 2025.
Eligibility Guidelines
We strongly encourage people of color, people who identify as Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, people who have lived outside of the United States, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be eligible for employment in the United States
Resident positions are considered full-time positions, with occasional overtime may be required as necessary in a given project. Benefits will be offered. Pay Ranges from $28-$33 per hour based on prior experience and position in which you will be working.
Participants must be physically based in the United States.
Participants’ employment will be subject to Industry Standard employment policies and compliance with the employee handbook.
Experience will consider candidates from a variety of backgrounds who are ready to pursue careers in the disciplines outlined in the Residency Tracks section.
For more information, please see the application.
Application & Submission:
You agree to carefully review the Submission Release, which includes all eligibility requirements and terms and conditions of applying for the the Experience Residencies.
Remember that you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, eligible for employment in the United States, and physically based in the United States, in order to be eligible for the program.e program.e program.e program.Remember that you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, eligible for employment in the United States, and physically based in the United States, in order to be eligible for the program.
You agree to submit a complete and accurate application through the Experience website.
While it is the intention of Industry Standard to place Residents in all tracks, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to.
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE SUBMISSION RELEASE AND ALL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES CONTAINED THEREIN.
Join Us
We are always excited to dialogue with partners who share a passion to support early career talent and are dedicated to growing a skilled workforce.
Allies and Supporters
Support can take many forms, from mentorship and guest speaking to financial contributions and providing real-world projects for our Residents. Allies and partners are vital to our mission, making these transformative opportunities possible. Whether you're an individual, a studio, or an organization, your involvement can significantly impact the success of the Residents and the vibrancy of the creative industry.
