This Whittier College alumnus learned that it’s never too late to set new career goals and succeed at them.
Emily Baeza, 33, served as second assistant director on the Oscar-nominated film “American Fiction,” which is up for five nominations, including best picture, at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10.
In high school, Baeza was encouraged by one of her teachers at Montebello High School to apply to Whittier College, a four-year liberal arts college with small class sizes and a program that seemed like a perfect fit for her. Was.
She joined the Whittier Scholars Program, which allows students to design their own degrees. He adapted his studies to cover a diverse mix of journalism, creative writing and environmental science. The main focus of his study was on media and how it interacts with the community.
“A big part of my experience at Whittier revolved around collaboration and empathy,” she said. “From performing with a brass ensemble to becoming my sister with the Thalian Society, the principles of working with others and gaining new experiences are paramount to working in the film industry.”
After graduating from Whittier College in 2013, Baeza worked at a nonprofit called City Year in Los Angeles and Boston. The educational nonprofit is dedicated to helping public school students in high-need communities improve school performance and develop professional skills.
Baeza’s work at City Year expanded his marketing and filmmaking opportunities, and led him to earn a master’s degree in Civic Media from Emerson College, Boston.
She said Baeza helped guide interdisciplinary educational and career paths in her role as an assistant director, creating daily schedules and managing other logistical details to keep the project on time and budget.
“Film is one of the most collaborative, team-based businesses you can be a part of,” Baeza said. “That’s because I have the ability to see so many different departments, so I think it really helps my job now.”
Diversity has always been a part of Baeza’s work, and it will be no different in the film industry.
Baeza said she is excited to increase representation both in front of and behind the camera; Her membership in the Women in Film and Video New England group was instrumental in connecting her to opportunities such as “American Fiction”.
Recently, UCLA’s Hollywood Diversity Report showed growing representation for people of color in the industry, both behind and in front of the camera, and that audiences largely support diverse films. Still, researchers say, there is still much work to be done.
“American Fiction” featured a diverse cast. Set in Boston, the comedy-drama “Erasure” is based on the novel and tells the story of a black novelist — played by Jeffrey Wright, nominated for best actor. The novelist is fed up with black media’s reliance on tropes and writes a book under a pseudonym in a genre he dislikes, only to see it become massively successful.
Baeza’s primary responsibilities on the set included making sure all the cast were ready for filming, overseeing their transportation and the makeup and wardrobe timetable.
“I get to work closely with the cast – I’m often the first person to welcome them and see them off every day,” she said.
Some of her favorite moments on set include filming on the beaches of Scituate, Mass.
“I was amazed at the level of talent not only among our artists but in every department from art to health and safety,” Baeza said. “Any step forward really requires a huge web of teamwork. They’re little miracles.”
When Baeza, who now lives in Burbank, learned the film was nominated for an Oscar, she was excited for the entire cast and crew.
He said, “All our phones were buzzing with notes congratulating each other, reviving the text thread we used during filming.” “I felt so grateful to have been a small part of excellent storytelling. I always believed this film was special and to see it recognized by others on such a large scale is extra rewarding.”
He said he was Sterling K. She was particularly excited about Brown’s supporting actor nomination and Wright’s nomination, as they were “some of the most talented actors and amazing people.”
Though the film industry is a challenging crossroads — and the threat of artificial intelligence and social media shifting the content pipeline — Baeza said the success of films like “American Fiction” is a reminder that talented and passionate people make great art — and audiences. He reacts.
“I am extremely proud of the work that I and my colleagues have accomplished, and I am extremely grateful that it has been recognized by our peers,” he said.
His advice to any fellow poets, young people interested in the film industry or people looking to change careers is to set a clear intention or goal and not be afraid to speak up to bring it into existence.
“Almost every day, I have to convince the insecure part of me that I deserve opportunities and success,” Baeza said. “The thing that has helped me most in gaining confidence has been the people I told my goals to, who reminded me of what I am capable of and connected me to the people and opportunities that will help me get there. “Can help.”
