Alumni Share Their Experience
Experience Residencies offer more than just skill enhancement; it's a catalyst for profound professional growth. Through mentorship, engaging speaker events, and valuable industry interaction, our alumni have navigated their paths in the creative world, each story highlighting the impact of the program on their careers.
Adiana Rivera
Discovering Voice and Vision
"Elvis Mitchell was one of the first speakers I got to hear," shares Adiana, reflecting on a speaker event that influenced her perspective on storytelling. The program provided Adiana with a supportive environment. "My mentors, Ceylan and Michael, were instrumental in helping me navigate and adjust as an assistant editor." Adiana is now pursuing opportunities to tell authentic human stories through documentaries. "Having now worked on a feature-length documentary, I learned crucial teamwork, storytelling, and technical skills. It has made me a more curious and hungry storyteller.”
Moh Rahman
Editorial Growth and Mentorship
Moh credits his development as an editor to the program's mentorship, particularly highlighting the guidance from his mentor, Will Znidaric. "Will's feedback on pacing in my cuts has helped me become a more thoughtful editor," Moh states, valuing the mentorship that has shaped his professional growth. "This program has been a life changing experience. Goals that seemed impossible just nine months ago now feel within reach.”
Anfernee Aguado
Producing with Purpose
Anfernee credits the Residency for broadening his access to industry knowledge and professionals, "The program provides access to so many people within the industry... It’s reassuring to know that there are actually people out there that aren’t afraid to share their knowledge." Looking ahead, Anfernee is eager to continue building impactful stories and contribute to the dynamic world of filmmaking.
Jason Gaines
Crafting VFX Narratives
Jason found inspiration and support through his mentorship with Lee Buckley, "Lee has been there for me every step of this journey." Jason’s experience in the program refined his workflow and collaboration skills. "Before the program, I was working on my own in a vacuum... But now I have a sense of optimized workflow and I’ve learned about the importance of teamwork." Jason is now focused on expanding his skills in visual effects and animation, ready to explore new creative avenues.
Pilar Fitzgerald
Syncing Music with Stories
Pilar’s future goals are now aligned with her passion for the creative music search process, aiming to support musicians and songwriters, especially those in the early stages of their careers. “Having Anny Colvin as my mentor was like getting a masterclass in music supervision,” Pilar reflects.
Apply Now to be part of the next cohort of creative professionals shaping the future of the media. Your story is just beginning.
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.
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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.
