RIT in L.A. Student Insights
Shamar Johnson
School of Individualized Study
Fall 2025
“The biggest impact of being in the L.A. program was the personal growth it forces upon you, the relationship you develop within yourself, and the creativity, professionalism, and worldview that are truly life-changing. There are so many memories that you will never forget from this program, such as the beauty of L.A., the group excursions and sightseeing, and the family you build. The wisdom you gain from mentors and peers is invaluable. The program aligned with my long-term goals because I was able to connect with other artists and become familiar with a place I can someday call home, without worrying about feeling disconnected when I choose to settle there. I also know that I can always count on the teachers and mentors for guidance and advice within the industry.”
Parker Bell
Film and Animation, Animation
Fall 2024
"I think what made the program so special is that, despite how daunting it is to go somewhere you've never lived before to pursue your ambitions, the tight-knit connections with faculty, peers, and industry professionals offer reassurance that you never have to walk that path alone. RIT does an incredible job of giving students a safe, structured experience as they explore LA's endless possibilities.
While I was in LA, I interned at CatMonkey under the guidance of a faculty member, Hal Hefner. I worked as a general animator alongside my peers in animation who were also working with Hal. Together, we worked on several projects, with our biggest being an animated intro for Rikki Rocket's Legend Tripping YouTube series.
I think the most important thing I learned wasn't about the craftsmanship itself, but about being a productive member of a team. Collectively, we put together moodboards and storyboards and produced animation, all the while building on the critique Hal (our boss) and Rikki (our client) gave us. It was a lot of fun to see our work lead to tangible success."
Robert Tello
Game Design and Development
Fall 2025
"The greatest professional benefit for me while in the L.A.program was the opportunity to meet so many people in the industry I want to work in. The chance to talk to people in the industry gave me great insight into what I should focus on and taught me how to effectively market myself in the field. Personally, I thought L.A. was an amazing experience because there was always so much to do in the city. I built great friend groups, and we seized the opportunity to explore L.A. as much as possible.
The highlight of working on the CatMonkey internship project was collaborating in a group with an employer who understands the entertainment industry. I learned how to professionally present my work and ideas, and also found out how I manage tasks and deadlines in a work setting."
Ariel Haak
Film and Animation, Production
Fall 2025
"I had the opportunity to intern for ACE Entertainment's TV Department while in LA. This company has been an inspiration to me as a young filmmaker, so it was a dream to take part in this internship & program. I met so many amazing fellow creatives through this experience and learned firsthand about the Television and Pre-Production industry. Ultimately, this internship built my confidence in my future in the film industry, allowing me to bring a deeper level of experience to my future career."
Donart Cocaj
School of Individualized Study
Fall 2025
“The biggest benefit to the L.A. program is the environment itself. Being so close to the industry, whether you're in entertainment or not, you meet guest lecturers who have real skin in the game. Combined with professors who genuinely cared about guiding us and sharing their experience with us, the learning felt practical, inspiring, and closely connected to the real world. Truly feels like an opportunity of a lifetime."
Remember... "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did" -Mark Twain
Daniel Noonan
Film and Animation, Production
Fall 2025
“While I was in LA, I interned at Ethos Studio, a post house specializing in music video and commercial color! Through this experience and the rest of my time in LA, I gained the connections and confidence necessary to move forward in my career post-grad. I can now move forward with the clarity to focus my post-production skills on what is most important in an ever-changing industry.”
Michaela Ireland
Film and Animation, Production
Fall 2025
“During my time in LA, I interned at a studio called Scissor Films, where they took me on as a post-production intern. Scissor Films works across all areas of production, so I gained valuable professional experience on set and in the cutting room. Clients and crew would be there constantly, which opened opportunities to meet industry workers. My time at Scissor Films strengthened my passion for post-production and prepared me for the film world beyond student projects.”
Riley Bodell
Film and Animation, Production
Fall 2025
“ While I was in L.A., I interned at a production company called Echobend Pictures, where I helped mostly with the post-production editing side of things. I found my experience incredibly confidence-boosting because of the amount of hands-on experience with various editing software, the countless opportunities to display my skills, and the constructive feedback I received. I was also introduced to many people who have become important contacts for my future in film.
The LA program helped me decide where I might want to end up after I graduate. It has made me feel much more comfortable reaching out to companies for jobs and helped me decide what area of production I want to pursue.”
Joshua Michaels-McClean
Marketing
Fall 2024
“During my time in LA, I interned with Synapse Virtual Production as a Marketing Intern, an experience that pushed me well outside my comfort zone in the best way. I walked away with a stronger sense of self-confidence and a real understanding of how far ambition can take you when you’re in the right environment. My semester in L.A. showed me what’s possible when you bet on yourself, and it’s shaped how I approach every opportunity since.”
Lea Sevelj
Global Business Management
Fall 2025
"In the best way possible, being in Los Angeles forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. I developed greater independence, adaptability, and confidence. Professionally, living in a city like Los Angeles exposed me to a creative, ambitious environment. I was inspired to set greater goals for myself just by seeing how enthusiastic and ambitious everyone there is.
Due to my status as an international student, I was unable to formally participate in Hal Hefner's CatMonkey internship project, but I volunteered and provided other forms of support. I had an amazing time participating and helping out where I could. For me, writing movie-related blog articles was my favorite part. It was an enjoyable and creative way to stay involved, develop my writing abilities, and contribute to something meaningful."