Annual Mentoring Workshop Kicks Off 26th Season of 'Fine Cut'

Television is full of great mentorships: Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy, Roy Kent and Jaime Tartt, Mary Richards and Lou Grant. Audiences are captivated by the classic dynamic of a seasoned pro—someone who has "seen it all"—taking a relative newcomer under their wing. It’s an enviable relationship. After all, who hasn’t dreamed of having a Don Draper figure step in and show them the ropes?

To kick off "Fine Cut's" 26th season, PBS SoCal turned this dream into reality, welcoming over a hundred aspiring filmmakers to Radford Studio Center for the “Fine Cut” Mentoring Workshop.

Students from 24 colleges and universities pulled onto the lot made famous by groundbreaking sitcoms like "Seinfeld" and "Will & Grace" —excited for the opportunity to meet the artists behind their favorite shows.

The annual workshop, part of the long running "Fine Cut" Festival of Films program, is open to students and recent graduates exploring careers in film, television, and animation. While only accepting 30% of applicants, the selective workshop offers unique insights and opportunities that go far beyond traditional classroom learning.

Nestled between Gunsmoke Ave. and Gilligan’s Island Rd., Stage 4 (normally quiet on the weekends) quickly filled with eager students ready for their chance to learn from the best. Angela Boisvert, PBS SoCal Senior Director of Production and Content, opened the workshop, delivering the keynote address and introducing students to the 15 industry mentors on hand.

Joining the lineup this year were directors Tessa Blake ("American Horror Story") and Michael Goi ("Avatar: The Last Airbender"); writer/director Molly McGlynn ("Irish Blood"); director/producer/writer Smriti Mundhra (Netflix’s "Indian Matchmaking"); cinematographer Pedro Gómez Millán ("Daredevil: Born Again"); art director Miguel Gonzalez ("The Casagrandes"); character designer Elsa Chang ("The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"); Jessie Juwono, manager on the Artist Management team for Warner Bros.; director/storyboard artist Hillary Bradfield ("Encanto"); director Aaron Brewer ("Long Story Short"); writer/director Drew Hancock ("Companion"); creator/writer/showrunner Katie O’Brien ("The Z Suite"); producer/writer Alex Fumero ("Mucho Mucho Amor"); writer/EP/showrunner Vera Santamaria ("BoJack Horseman"), and producer/writer Dailyn Rodriguez ("The Lincoln Lawyer").

Meeting with small groups of students in 20-minute blocks, the mentors answered practical questions about how to stand out on set, work with actors, and stretch small budgets for maximum impact. As discussions dove deeper, the aspiring filmmakers were treated to insider anecdotes, professional learning lessons, and well-honed advice before the mentors rotated to the next table. If they were quick, many animators got their chance at personalized feedback on their portfolios as well.

Quinn Patwardhan from Occidental college said, “Their advice helped me narrow down my focus, tackle the mental aspects of writing (anxiety, stress, competition, etc), and gain a richer and less glamorized view of the industry.”

And Celia Beaumont from SDSU said, “The 'Fine Cut' Mentorship event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from the best in the business. As an aspiring screenwriter, the most valuable piece of advice I got was that spec scripts are out, but writing something authentic and original is in! Don’t try to write what you think they want; write something unique that accurately represents your work.”

Following the two-hour roundtable sessions, students enjoyed lunch and spent time getting to know participants from other schools. A scavenger hunt and ice breaker challenges added excitement to the afternoon, helping even the shyest students overcome their fear of networking.

Rounding out the second half of the day, vendors and partner organizations gave students a glimpse into opportunities and resources available after graduation. FilmLA was there to walk students through the procedure for filing a permit, often an intimidating process for first time filmmakers. WIA shared their upcoming calendar of events and community efforts aimed at supporting underrepresented gender identities in animation, VFX, and gaming.

For those looking for help with crowdfunding for their next project, First Entertainment Credit Union offered a wealth of advice. Reps also shared financial strategies for freelancers. Guidance that was particularly relevant, as a significant portion of entertainment roles are freelance positions.

Adding a hands-on element, Geronimo Creek and Keslow Camera offered interactive demos of camera, grip and lighting gear, giving students a chance to check out the latest technology.

As the workshop wound down, the line grew long to speak with Animation Guild President Jeanette Moreno King, who answered anxious students’ questions about AI’s impact on animation and the state of the industry.

The longtime expert was quick to assure students that animators weren’t going anywhere, but they would need to dig in and work through the tough times if they wanted to work in entertainment. This echoes the sage advice of another great television mentor, "Parks and Recreation's" Leslie Knope, who said, “You go big or you go home. And you don't seem like the kind of guy who goes home.”

Funding for FINE CUT is generously provided by the Bridges-Larson Foundation.