Personal Statement

As a certified daydreamer, I’ve spent my life imagining worlds. I was 18 years old when I decided to make a career out of it. I’ve always been drawn to the worlds created for the screen and have spent the last several years pursuing the education and experiences required to be part of that process. My family used to joke that I was born with a pencil in my hand. I have been in love with art since day one, but I never imagined I could have a career in this industry until Hollywood CPR showed me it was possible. My love for art and passion for design led me to art department work. For the past few years I have been trying to establish a career in this industry, but with the pandemic and strikes, it felt like everything was a false start. Since enrolling in this program, I’ve gained the experience and the confidence to pursue this career and I feel ready to pursue the next steps of Hollywood CPR. 

On my first day at West Los Angeles College, I stepped into Imhotep Coleman’s class and knew I was in the right place. The degree of professionalism and accountability he asks from his students really set the tone for the rest of my time at WLAC. I value the life skills that I learned from Professor Coleman about working on set and how to navigate the confusing world of the entertainment industry. He expects a great deal from his students, and I am so grateful that I had him as an instructor. I was able to test myself and rise to the challenge Professor Coleman sets for his students. I learned a great deal about the logistics of the film industry, from networking to filing a W9. After my introductory courses with Professor Coleman I felt prepared to enter the entertainment workforce. I also had the privilege of taking safety and tools courses with Professors Gary Dagg and Charlie McIntyre. In these classes, I gained experience and knowledge on successfully handling and operating tools and machinery. I had limited experience with power tools before this program and I thoroughly enjoyed learning to use each one. I also received invaluable advice from both Professors Dagg and Mcintyre about their years of experience in the industry. They showed me the joy and fun that is possible in this career if you treat it as a marathon, not a sprint. Finally, I have had the privilege of taking set dressing classes with Professor David Cannon and learning about the art and career of local 44 members. I have never worked in a group of Set Dressers as large as our cohort and I have had to learn to navigate a space where there are a lot of differing ideas. I’ve learned the importance of listening to everyone’s suggestions and making decisions collectively. Professor Cannon has provided me with priceless knowledge from his time in the industry and also graciously offered me guidance and advice in my art department work on set. Learning from Professor Cannon, I have become confident in my abilities as a set dresser and the practical skills this career requires: compositional, historical, and construction knowledge. The freedom we have to create in the set dressing classes has really helped me and my cohort develop our skills and confidence. 

In my time at West Los Angeles College, I’ve been able to meet and work with so many talented individuals. Through meeting people I trust and would recommend for work, I realized what is important when someone is considering you for a job or a recommendation. Timeliness, professionalism, and respectfulness are the things that I prioritize in myself and my colleagues. These three traits can carry you very far in the world of film as most work is secured from networking and recommendation. I’ve made a considerable effort to show up every day on campus and on set with these three things in mind. Working with these values at the forefront has made my experiences more enjoyable and I feel more accomplished when I have achieved all of these things. I feel it is important to hold yourself to the same standards you would expect from others. This mindset has helped me build a reliable network of people inside and outside of the art department. When I have been recommended for work, I always bring my best self to set because I know my actions reflect on the person who referred me. It is important to respect their reputation as well as my own. 

Training at West Los Angeles College has taught me a vast amount of practical and soft skills to be successful in this industry. Every day that I continue in this program cements the idea that this was the right choice for my career and future. I have experienced so much joy and fulfillment from this work and continue to dream about working in the art department on films. Every step of the process - from the floor plans to the props, from the construction to the drapery - is something that I love and have passion for. I am driven to make a career in this industry and work everyday to take steps closer to that goal. I am a first-generation college student in my family and I want to show myself and my loved ones that this career is possible. The opportunity to continue training with Hollywood CPR would offer me the tools and resources to establish my career and change my life. I want to be part of the stories that call our communities to action and ask for a better world. I believe film is the best medium for reaching audiences with messages of love and acceptance. In an era of turbulence, we need media that depicts kindness and hope amongst the darkness. If I were chosen to continue my education with Hollywood CPR I would continue to exhibit my dedication to this craft in every class and every set.