Alumni Live: The Podcast

Host Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) (2012) talks with visual artists K. Lynn Smith (https://www.klynnsmith.net/aboutappearances.html) (2008) and Dan Hogan (https://danieljhogan.com/) (2005) about their journeys from GVSU to becoming visual artists. They discuss their work, how they developed their styles, and built careers through comics, art festivals, and an...

Host Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) (2012) talks with Location Manager Ashley Bunge (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2714879/) (2008) about her career as a location manager and how she went from GVSU to working on big-budget films. She talks about what goes into scouting and managing film locations and how she got her start in the industry after moving to New Orle...

Alums Caitlyn Shaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-shaw-68372a337/) (2025), Callie Wynne (https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-wynne-41bbb7216/) (2026), and Bill Cuppy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-cuppy-7ab23064/) (1995) discuss the benefits of study abroad for film and video majors and the skills and stories they gained during their travels. Bill also talks about the scholarship he hel...

Alumni and editor/producer Elena Chiu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenachiufilm/) (2025) and Kyle Flannery (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8188110/?ref_=fn_t_1) (2018), a picture finishing producer at Harbor Picture Company (https://harborpicturecompany.com/) , discuss the team involved in post-production and Kyle’s journey moving from West Michigan into the New York production industry. LINKS: ...

Current student Ashlyn Mendelsohn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlynmendelsohn/) talks with alum Jeff Donehoo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdonehoo/) (2001) about his career working in sports media and his current role as a Senior Motion Graphic Designer and Programmer with Rocket Surgery (https://www.rossvideo.com/services/creative-services/) which is part of Ross Video Creative Services. ...

Alums Jordan Skutar (https://www.instagram.com/jskooter/) (Assistant Camera) and Jessica Tolliver (https://www.jessicatolliverdp.com/) (Director of Photography) talk about working in the camera department and the industry. Both work in Chicago. Links: Keslow Camera (https://www.keslowcamera.com) The Camera Assistant's Manual (http://www.davidelkins.com/cam/) by David E. Elkins SOC To support ...

Retired GVSU Professor and Audio Engineer Joe McCargar talks with alum Dennis Dembeck (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5365555/?ref_=fn_t_1) (2013) about his career as a Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer working in NYC and LA. Links: To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-1162.htm To join the Link...

Join host Mary Graff Ashley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygraff/) as she talks with GVSU alumni Michael Piotrowski (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0684828/) about his experience mixing and recording sound across different locations, budgets, and directors. Links: To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-...

Host Samantha Drougel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-drougel-bb9969252/) talks with alum Justin Woychowski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-woychowski-50251a57/) , Chief Creative Officer of United eSports, about media creation in the rapidly growing eSports industry. Links: To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/gi...

Storytelling is at the heart of both filmmaking and creating graphic novels. Join alums Griffin Sheridan (https://imagecomics.com/creators/griffin-sheridan) , Rory Webb, and Amanda Webb (https://www.legendsofaukera.com/) as they discuss their journey as storytellers using the medium of comics. Links: Griffin Sheridan Image Comics - Griffin Sheridan (https://imagecomics.com/creators/griffin-sh...

Host Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) talks with three generations of GVTV (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/welcome-to-grand-valley-television-205.htm) faculty advisors, Kim Roberts (https://www.gvsu.edu/vma/kim-roberts-retired-2025-186.htm) , Len O’Kelly (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/facultystaff-directory-194.htm?recordId_1=ADCAFC43-97E7-1D2B-EEF8117D48B6F934#69CDA0CB-37...

Host, and former GVTV (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/welcome-to-grand-valley-television-205.htm) member, Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) talks with current students Izaak Che Rosales and Joshua Wylie about their GVTV experiences. As they rebuild the community after the pandemic, students are still benefitting from the  collaboration, learning, creativity, and fun of...

Hear how GVTV (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/welcome-to-grand-valley-television-205.htm) members from 2016 - 2021 transformed the studio into a home that inspired students to learn, build relationships, and explore new methods of sharing their creations. Host Kyle Macciomei (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-macciomei-562ba5120/) talks with Gillian Noonan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliangnoonan/)...

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Tyler Wiewiora (1993- 2024). Beloved GVTV member and “everyone’s boom person”. You are missed. The third generation of GVTV (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/welcome-to-grand-valley-television-205.htm) forges new territory with live broadcasts, a 24-hour telethon, and a post graduate marriage officiated by their faculty advisor. Host Randy Strobl (https://www...

Join second generation GVTV members Randy Strobl, Adam Burl, Jonathan Sessions, Steven Bellettini, and Former President John Tremblay as they reconnect and discuss how they helped shape GVTV and how GVTV helped them build careers and life long relationships. Links: GVTV (https://www.gvsu.edu/soc/welcome-to-grand-valley-television-205.htm) Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl...

Host Randy Strobl talks with GVTV  founder and first President, Jillian Austin, about how she grew “Happy Birthday Anthony!” into a student run television station that fosters creativity and long lasting relationships. This is the first of a multipart series about the impact of Grand Valley Television (GVTV). Links: Jillian Austin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianaustin/) - Experience and ...

Join current students Caitlyn Shaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-shaw-68372a337/) , CK Hamilton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ck-hamilton/) , and Cam Layson (http://www.linkedin.com/in/cam-layson-35b88435a) as they share tips for ‘pitching’ projects for script and fiction classes. To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/g...

Join current student Liliana Bartels, Breana Malloy (2021) and Gillian Noonan (2021), as they dive into the world of film producing— from indie films to corporate commercials. They’ll share career insights, break down the producer’s role, and discuss the challenges of balancing creativity, logistics, and funding. To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowshi...

Current students Caroline Hamilton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ck-hamilton/) , Caitlyn Shaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-shaw-68372a337/) and alum Kyle Macciome (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-macciomei-562ba5120/) i talk about how to get the most benefit from the college experience. From clubs to independent student film groups, as well as on campus employment opportunities, they sh...

Join us for a conversation about community media as host Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) from Detroit Public Television talks with Kerri VandeHoff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrivanderhoff/) , the Executive Director of the Coalition for Community Development, Joe Zook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefzook/) , the Production Manager of GRTV which is part of ...

Joel Potrykus (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1811127/) (‘99) talks with independent filmmaker ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby (https://ishkwaazhe.com) (‘15) about his love of films, filmmaking, and teaching! LINKS: ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby  (https://ishkwaazhe.com/) Joel Potrykus (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1811127/) To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships:...

GVSU alums, Spencer Everhart (https://www.gvsu.edu/vma/spencer-everhart-255.htm) (2012), Nick Hartman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-hartman-8057bb8b/) (2012), Breana Malloy (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11495265/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_in_0_q_breana%2520mal) (2021), Jackson Ezinga (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3700888/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_2_in_0_q_Jackson%2520Ezinga) (2013), di...

Host Randy Strobl talks with Erika Pineiro about art department work for corporate and commercial work in the midwest.  Erika owns Mad Props (http://www.madpropsgr.com/) , and art department company and prop house in West Michigan. To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-1162.htm To join the Link...

Host Michele Terpstra (https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleterpstra/) (1995) talks about the new internal video production studios at Ford Motor Company (https://www.ford.com/) with the Executive Producer Creative Strategy Ford Motor Company, Bill Hasler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-hasler-885098290/) , and Video Producer Jon Curtis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-curtis-47160345/)...

Host Randy Strobl (2012)  talks with JiL Szewsk (2007)i and Jamie Bartkowicz (2014) about their work in the Art Department in Los Angeles for films, television, and themed entertainment. LINKS: The Essential Art Department (https://www.theessentialartdepartment.com/) Jamie Bartkowicz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bartkowicz/) JiL Szewski  (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2275709/?ref_=fn_al_n...

Alumni Malcolm Kramp (2024) interviews Ryan Copping (2006) about his experiences as an autistic person during his time in school, on sets, and as a teacher advocating for neurodiversity. LINKS: Ryan Copping LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-copping-656a43149/) To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-fi...

Host Randy Strobl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/) (2012) talks with Wimee TV creators Kevin Kammeraad (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kammeraad-804496120/) (1998) and Gwen Trautman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolyn-t-a03531131/) (2022) about their innovative, multimedia interactive children’s educational programming - Wimee TV! LINKS: Wimee TV (https://wimee.tv/) ...

Current student Caitlyn Shaw talks with Alumni Mike Judd (1999) about his work as an Assistant Director and Director on “Young Sheldon”.  Mike discusses the daily life and challenges of an Assistant Director on a popular television series. Sharing insights on the winding path of moving from Michigan to Los Angeles, working as a production assistant on major feature films, and navigating the pro...

GVSU film student Marin Roth talks with her dad, Representative John Roth (R), co-author of the Multi-Media Jobs Act. They talk about the positive impact the bill will have on the Michigan economy and film students in particular while offering advice about what everyone can do to help the bill pass. Relevant Links About the Multimedia Jobs Act: https://mifia.org/multimedia-jobs-act-details Abo...

Host Randy Strobl (‘12) talks with Tim Dailey (‘08), about his journey from VFX Artist to Academic Dean of Exceptional Minds. Exceptional Minds is a nonprofit academy and post production studio for people with autism. Links: Exceptional Minds: https://exceptional-minds.org/ Tim Dailey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-dailey-23428862 To support GVSU film and video students by dona...

Current student Elena Chiu talks with award-winning, multiply Disabled, queer, horror and documentary filmmaker Ariel Baska about their short films, “Our First Priority,” and “Shining in the Dark,” the challenges they face as a disabled filmmaker, their podcast, “Ride the Omnibus,” and how to create a more accessible industry. Website: https://arielbaska.com/ Ride the Omnibus: https://www.omni...

Current FVP senior, Jeff Staub, talks with Geoff George, a cinematographer and Education Outreach Chair with the Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA), about the Multimedia Jobs Act introduced in the Michigan legislature. Geoff explains how the film incentive worked in the past, how it’s different now, and why it’s so important to bring it to Michigan. MIFIA: https://mifia.org/ Write Legi...

Alumni Michele Terpstra talks with alumni Wendy Jo Carlton about her career writing, producing, and directing award winning LGBTQ themed films. Wendy Jo explains the distribution process for an indie film, why she doesn’t write coming out stories, how to succeed as an independent filmmaker, her thoughts on AI, and why she likes creating web series. LINKS: Wendy Jo's Website: https://www.juicyp...

Host Randy Strobl talks with Grand Valley State University alumni Jaz Edwards, Jamie Bartkowicz, and Jim Taylor about their experiences with unions. Jaz explains how she joined IATSE Local 476 in Chicago, Jamie explains why she hasn’t joined a union, and Jim explains what it means to be on the Casual List for a union. This episode was recorded prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Jaz Edwar...

Host Randy Strobl talks with Grand Valley State University alumni Dan Campbell about his work as a freelance feature film producer at Blue Falcon Productions. They discuss how Dan’s experience as a Marine influenced his approach to college, his first paid job after graduation, his experience working on the Summer Film Project, and the satisfaction of starting his own production company. Dan Ca...

Host Randy Strobl speaks with Brad Mead about his journey from LA TV series Assistant Editing to Editor which started with his internship with ACE (American Cinema Editors). To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-1162.htm To join the LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8258882/

Host Jake Wiegand (‘21) speaks with alumni Jon Flis (‘02) 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. Jon's YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/promoguy To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www....

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 ‘23, and a mentor, Sara Jo Tchozewski ‘16, from the first year of the program. Hosted by Katie Dehn ‘06, the mentorship director.  If you are interested in becoming an alum...

Studies show that mentorships can have a big impact on a mentee’s 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 ment...

Host Randy Strobl speaks with alumni Holly Tumbarello about how informational interviews were the key to building her career. Randy Strobl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-strobl-40223895/ Holly Tumbarello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollytumbarello/ To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-116...

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 expl...

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 expl...

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 support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/giv...

Alumni Randy Strobl talks with Karl Koehle and Kirie Quackenbush about working in the game industry. Videos referenced in the episode: The Sims 4 - StrangerVille: Investigation Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoWgCdXrOaQ) UW-Stout "Umbrella Mondays" game trailer (https://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bfa-game-design-and-development/student-created-games/umbrella-mondays) To support GVSU...

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 support GVSU film and...

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 ...

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 support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-1162.htm To join the FB group: GVSU F/V Alumni Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/gr...

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 “Callab” Carter and other local artists to create a music video during the beginning of the pandemic. Here’s a link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfx3wZ01Mmw To support GVSU film and video students by donating t...

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 (https://www.youtube.com/c/Chr...

Host Joe McCargar talks with alums Bryen Hensley and Sean Quashnie about the intricacies of working in production, broadcast, and post production sound. To support GVSU film and video students by donating to scholarships and fellowships: https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-now-film-and-video-1162.htm To join the FB group: GVSU F/V Alumni Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/gvsufilm...