Can you tell us your current role and summarize your day-to-day responsibilities?
Currently, I am a production assistant at ILMxLAB working on the latest project, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. My day-to-day responsibilities include scheduling and taking notes in meetings for stakeholders, communicating requested tasks and issues, and tracking progress for the design team.
How does your role fit within your larger team?
Not only do I assist on Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, but I also help out with general ILMxLAB tasks, including keeping track of VR equipment and hosting demos.
When did you start at the company, and in what role?
I started my current role this past October in 2019.
Did you have a familiarity with the company or its productions before you started? Were you a fan?
When I first started, I was honestly nervous and overwhelmed. Although I wasn’t a die-hard fan, I knew about Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and the impact they’ve had in the entertainment industry. I respected the works that they produced and were part of.
Could you summarize your background before joining the company? Where did you go to school? What early jobs did you have?
I initially wanted to get into graphic design and marketing for the entertainment industry. I studied Graphic Communication at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I realized that I didn’t have a passion for it. After some self-reflection and research, I took part in the MFA animation production track at the Academy of Art University. During my final semester, I learned more about virtual reality and the new implications it could have on media. I took a job at Jaunt, Inc. as a receptionist to get my foot in the door, and then became a production assistant for a year at Baobab Studios.
What inspired you to get involved in this industry?
Growing up, Saturday mornings were always spent watching cartoons, while Sunday was spent reading through the four pages of full-color comics. My parents heavily influenced my love for animation in all forms. My mom used to have a job in the gaming industry, so I was exposed at a young age to gaming. My dad was a collector of Batman: The Animated Series collectibles, which brought me to this early realization that printed characters could be turned into another medium.
Of the ILMxLAB productions you’ve been involved with, do you have a favorite?
When I was first hired, I was able to work on the final weeks of Vader Immortal: Episode III. Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy’s Edge is the first production I have been a part of since the beginning. I don’t have a favorite that I’ve worked on, but I do love Avengers: Damage Control!