Third Year
Dramatic Writing Option
What medium do you prefer to work in? Theatre and television.
Favorite TV show? Downton Abbey.
Favorite film/documentary? My favorite film is Casablanca. Favorite documentary is We Were Here.
Favorite play? Miss Julie by August Strindberg.
Why did you choose Cal State L.A.’s MFA program in Television, Film and Theatre? Coming from a strong theatrical background it would have seemed natural to get an MFA playwriting. However, living in L.A. knowing something from every medium gives you an edge. I don’t believe that there is a program in California where all three mediums are studied in one program.
What were you doing before you enrolled in the program? I was going to school at Cal State L.A. finishing my Master of Arts in Theatre Arts.
Do you have film/TV industry experience or are you currently working in the industry? I have very limited experience in the industry. I did an internship for a year at Fremantle in their game show/casting department.
What are you passionate about? Storytelling. The fact that I can create a world, characters, and then share them to an audience is thrilling. Everyone has a story to tell.
What themes are important to you in your work? Social class and gender/sexuality.
What projects/people in the film industry inspire you? There are too many projects and people, past and present, that influence me and inspire me. But if I have to choose I would choose George Cukor. His directorial eye for storytelling in such classic films like The Women, The Philadelphia Story and My Fair Lady influenced me as an artist.
Most fascinating thing you have learned in the MFA program recently? How the actual business side of entertainment industry runs. I found that very insightful, and I am glad that the program offers such a course.
What are your plans for after graduation? Hopefully obtaining a writer’s assistant position or working in casting. I would also like to teach at the college university level.