Dina Zhanybekova, COL ’25, Astana, Kazakhstan
This summer was a real whirlwind for me as I had the chance to work not just with one, but three different film companies all at once. From being in the office to working on set and even completing tasks from home, it was a summer filled with learning and excitement.
My summer kicked off by diving into preparations for a musical thriller called “Alexis Colette.” This film is still in its early stages, and I spent my Tuesdays and Thursdays at the office of the Los Angeles Center Studios. My days were quite varied – sometimes I helped organize the script schedule using Movie Magic Scheduling, while other times I recorded interviews with the director and other individuals involved in the film. I also contributed my thoughts on the music and assisted in organizing an event for PGA members.
Around the same time, I joined the crew of Patriot Pictures. They were in the process of shooting a movie titled “Almost Popular,” and I had the opportunity to work as a Production Assistant on set. This role involved running errands, assisting the director, and ensuring smooth operations. Additionally, I looked after the actors and maintained records of diversity reports. In July, we shifted our focus to the office, where I concentrated on script coverage and business plans.
Last but certainly not least, I was actively involved in the creation of a documentary called “Checkpoint Zoo” with After Hours Production. This documentary revolves around a zoo in Ukraine that had to be evacuated due to war. During my evenings, I undertook the task of translating footage from Russian/Ukrainian to English and transcribing interviews. It was truly a privilege to contribute to such a meaningful project.
My time in Hollywood granted me an in-depth understanding of how the film industry operates. This insight was particularly fascinating due to the ongoing strikes during my stay. Being in LA at that time provided a clear view of the substantial impact these strikes had. I vividly remember visiting the Los Angeles Center Studios, a hub of constant production activity, and realizing that our team was among the few still working at that time.
As summer approaches its end, the lessons I’ve acquired and the experiences I’ve enjoyed remain deeply ingrained. Each opportunity, whether within an office, on set, or remotely, has woven a unique thread into my understanding of the intricate process of filmmaking. With excitement, I look forward to the forthcoming chapters of my ongoing filmmaking journey!
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
