Alumni Live: The Podcast
Alumni Live: The Podcast is created by and for GVSU Film/Video Alumni and current students. The program explores a variety of industry related topics.
Careers in Broadcasting
Host Jake Wiegand (â21) speaks with alumni Jon Flis (â02) about the many jobs available to film and video majors in the world of broadcasting. Jon is the Director of Marketing for WZZM 13 On Your Side. Jake works for Jon as a Marketing Producer.Â
Mentoring Part 2: The GVSU Women in Cinema Mentorship Program
The Women in Cinema Mentorship Program is a female-run mentorship program connecting female alumni in the film/media industry with current female students in the GVSU film program. Today we connect with a mentee, Kira Mason â23, and a mentor, Sara Jo Tchozewski â16, from the first year of the program. Hosted by Katie Dehn â06, the mentorship director. If you are interested in becoming an alumni mentor please reach out to the GVSU Film and Video Alumni facebook page.
GVSU F/V Alumni: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gvsufilmvideoalumni
Women in Cinema Laker Link : https://gvsu.campuslabs.com/engage/organiza...
Mentoring Part 1: Best Practices
Studies show that mentorships can have a big impact on a menteeâs salary, career path, and overall happiness in their careers. Today, Katie Dehn talks with Gerry Cooke about the benefits of mentoring for students and the professional mentors that volunteer to mentor. Gerry has spent almost a decade as a mentor and is currently the director of mentorship for the Seidman school of business mentorship program. Katie is the director of the Women in Cinema mentorship program for female students in the film/video program at GVSU.
Seidman Mentorship Program: https://www.gvsu.edu/seidman/mentorship/
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Informational Interviews: Best Practices for Film Majors
Host Randy Strobl speaks with alumni Holly Tumbarello about how informational interviews were the key to building her career.
Randy Strobl:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/
Holly Tumbarello:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollytumbarello/
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
History of the Film and Video major at GVSU Part 2
To view a video of this episode complete with archive photos and videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzHtUTZprWU
Alumni and faculty talk about the 40 plus year history of the Grand Valley Film & Video Production major and what has made it unique. Part 1 explored the early years of the Arts and Media major at William James College, which was part of Grand Valley State Colleges.
Part 2 explores the transformation of the Arts and Media major to the Film and Video Production major at Grand Valley State University's School of Communications, and eventually the Department of...
History of the GVSU Film/Video major PART 1 of 2
To view a video of this episode complete with archive photos and videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzHtUTZprWU
Alumni and faculty talk about the 40 plus year history of the Grand Valley Film & Video Production major and what has made it unique. Part 1 explores the early years of the Arts and Media major at William James College, which was part of Grand Valley State Colleges.
Part 2 explores the transformation of the Arts and Media major to the Film and Video Production major at Grand Valley State University's School of Communications, and eventually the Department of...
Alumni Profile: Alfredo Peters
Host Randy Strobl leads a discussion with Alfredo Peters about opening a studio and launching Higher Faculty, his YouTube channel with 69.7K subscribers as of Nov 2022, all while balancing work and family life.
Higher Faculty on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HigherFaculty
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Working in the Game Industry
Alumni Randy Strobl talks with Karl Koehle and Kirie Quackenbush about working in the game industry.
Videos referenced in the episode:Â
The Sims 4 - StrangerVille: Investigation Trailer
UW-Stout "Umbrella Mondays" game trailerTo learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Alumni Profile: Mary Graff Ashley
In this profile episode, Mary Graff Ashley talks with host Randy Strobl about her experience creating promos and behind-the-scenes content for King Kong, The Hobbit, and Lost. Mary currently works for Walt Disney Television in Los Angeles.
Here's a link to the Peter Jackson King Kong Production Diaries mentioned on the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wZmh4Jc5g
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Dealing with Sexual Harassment on Set

Host Katie Dehn speaks with alumni Jil Szewski about how to deal with sexual harassment on a production set.
Jil works in the Art Department on shows such as Bel-Air and How to Get Away with Murder. She is a member of IATSE, and owns Blue Revised, a company that provides resume, cover letter, and interview consulting specifically for the motion picture and television industry.
Jil Szewski on IMDB
Blue Revised
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship<...
Alumni Advice on Moving to the West Coast
Host Katie Dehn leads a discussion with Jamie Bartkowicz, Scott Sheppard, Kelly Loughlin, Talon Rudel, and A.J. Bedard about moving to LA after graduating from GVSU.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Creating a Music Video During the Height of the Pandemic
Join Michele Terpstra, GVSU Film/Video Alumni Board Member, for a conversation with Sarah Ford, a GVSU Class of 2018 alumni, about how she collaborated with Eric âCallabâ Carter and other local artists to create a music video during the beginning of the pandemic.
Hereâs a link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfx3wZ01Mmw
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Alumni Profile: Chris Gagnon
In this Alumni Live Profile episode, host Randy Strobl interviews Chris Gagnon to see what the film and video alum has been up to in recent and distant years. Chris talks about the time he video blogged riding a bicycle from coast to coast in the United States with his brother and his current work making videos with his neighbors in Malawi.
Chris Gagnon's YouTube
Chris and Amari's Patreon site
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson...
Working as an Audio Professional
Host Joe McCargar talks with alums Bryen Hensley and Sean Quashnie about the intricacies of working in production, broadcast, and post production sound.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Making a Film on a Microbudget
Joel Potrykus, class of 1999, talks with Charles Beale and Jake Bowen, both class of 2011, about their experience in the world of making movies with small budgets and âStudio Festâ the unique film festival they created.
Here's the link to StudioFest: https://studiofest.com/
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Writing for Television
Host Stacy Walsh (& Then Write) interviews Jeremy Howe (Young Sheldon) and George Kitson (Agents of Shield) about their work as writers for television.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Working as a Production Assistant
Host Kelly Loughlin (LA) talks with other alums Chris Randall (GR), Tre Jackson (Atlanta), and Jesse Routhier (NYC) about how to land Production Assistant jobs and what to do to make the best impressions on set.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
So You Want to Enter Film Festivals...

Host Sarah Nawrocki talks with filmmakers Deanna Morse, Jackson Ezinga, John Otterbacher, and Joel Potrykus discuss their experiences with film festivals. They emphasize the importance of entering and attending film festivals as well as how to research and enter festivals.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Advice for Prospective Students
Host Randy Strobl leads a discussion about advice for prospective students interested in GVSUâs Film & Video Production Major. We hear from students Jazrielle Couran, Cody Thammavongsa, Jordan Skutar, Josh Geyer, and Ariel Sosa, as well as faculty Kim Roberts and Julie Goldstein.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Filmmaking Tools for Film & Video Production majors at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl discusses the most important things to know about filmmaking with GVSU student Ariel Sosa. Ariel explains how GVSUâs film & video program allowed him to become a better and more efficient filmmaker.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Showcases for Film & Video Production majors at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl invites GVSU professors Julie Goldstein and Kim Roberts to explain the Film & Video showcases where students show their work to an audience. Students Ariel Sosa and Josh Geyer discuss how it feels to watch their films on the big screen and the importance of these events.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Alumni Network Initiatives for Film & Video Production majors at GVSU
GVSU Professor Suzanne Zack talks about the Film and Video Alumni Network and how it helps students during and after college. Along with the Alumni Live livestreams and podcast, they have created an alumni book, hosted reunions, and created opportunities for students to job shadow in LA and NYC.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Clubs for Film & Video Production majors at GVSU
With host Randy Strobl, GVSU students Ariel Sosa, Josh Geyer, Jordan Skutar, and Cody Thammavongsa talk about various on-campus clubs for film & video students and how theyâre beneficial. Clubs such as GVTV and Cinematography Club offer hands-on experience outside of the classroom, and the Grand Valley Film Academy showcases studentsâ work.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Campus Video Jobs for Film & Video Production majors at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl invites GVSU students Cody Thammavongsa to discuss his sports video job on campus, as well as Josh Geyer and Jordan Skutar to explain their work with the GVSU Promotions Office. They emphasize the importance of these opportunities and how they will help you get jobs in the industry after graduation.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Internships in the Film & Video Production major at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl invites GVSU students Josh Geyer and Jordan Skutar to discuss their film & video internship experiences and why they are beneficial. Furthermore, Professor Kim Roberts explains how GVSU connects students with these opportunities. They also highlight the assistance that students can receive at GVSUâs Career Center, like resume and portfolio help.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Learning about creating client work in the Film & Video Production major at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl chats with GVSU student Jazrielle Couran about her experience creating videos for clients in her classes. She explains the process, which begins with applying for projects, and discusses her initial worries going into the class about the pressure of creating for clients.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Film Studies in the Film & Video Production major at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl discusses film studies at GVSU with Professor Spencer Everhart. Students learn about the evolution of ideas in film history, its place in cultures around the world, and how to analyze and write about films. Spencer explains how this study of film makes students better filmmakers and how GVSU students can get more involved with this practice outside of the classroom.
Cinesthesia - GVSU's online film journal
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Scriptwriting in the Film & Video Production major at GVSU
Professor and filmmaker Joel Potrykus discusses his scriptwriting classes at GVSU with Host Randy Strobl. Students learn about the elements of a script, how to write in different genres, and what to do after completing a script. Joel also explains the assignments, from writing a 10-page script in Scriptwriting 1 to a feature-length one in Scriptwriting 2.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Post Production in the Film & Video Production major at GVSU
Randy Strobl leads a discussion with GVSU students Jordan Skutar and Josh Geyer about post production in the Film & Video major. They explain the different areas of post production taught at GVSU, like audio, graphics, and the theory of editing. Furthermore, they discuss the editing software that GVSU offers, like Pro Tools and the Adobe Creative Cloud.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Animation and New Media in the Film & Video Production major
With Host Randy Strobl, professor Julie Goldstein discusses animation and new media classes in the GVSU Film & Video major. She explains what students learn, from stop motion to rotoscoping, and names apps and other free tools that anyone can use to get started in animation.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Documentary Filmmaking in the Film & Video Production Major at GVSU
Host Randy Strobl discusses the beauty of documentary filmmaking with GVSU students Ariel Sosa and Jordan Skutar. They explain in-class and real-world experiences.
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
Fiction Filmmaking in the GVSU Film & Video Production Major
Host Randy Strobl invites film and video production majors Jordan Skutar, Josh Geyer, and Ariel Sosa to share their experiences in fiction filmmaking at GVSU. Professor Joel Potrykus explains the unique opportunities that Grand Valley offers, such as the summer film and shooting on 16mm film.
Summer Film Project Website
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship
S1: Alumni Live: The Podcast Trailer
Grand Valley State University film and video alumni share career advice and experiences. Created by alumni for students and alumni of Grand Valley State University.
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Alumni Live: The Podcast
To learn about ways you can support GVSU film and video students:
The Dirk Koning Memorial Film and Video Scholarship
The Chuck Peterson Memorial Fellowship