GUEST SPEAKERS BRIDGE COURSEWORK WITH INDUSTRY

Students in the Media Producing program were able to connect concepts, principles, and case studies from coursework to real-world application this summer. Live synchronous class sessions included discussions with industry professionals who provided insights from their experiences and careers touching on various aspects of producing. 

David K. Irving, faculty director of the MA Media Producing program said, “The students in the master's degree in Media Producing at the Tisch School of the Arts are eager to absorb as much knowledge as they can about the craft of producing. To this end, it is important to bring in guest speakers who can illuminate various areas of the craft of producing from development to financing to production and distribution.” 

Guests in David’s Thesis I class this past summer included Andy Goldberg, a television executive, Lisa Ogdie, a Sundance festival programmer, and Warren Tessler, a commercials and branded content producer. The guests shared their own path into the business and advice about what they have learned about the business.  

The summer elective New Technologies also gave students direct access to practitioners working at the forefront of emerging media rather than relying solely on textbooks or case studies. Sam Baumel, the instructor for New Technologies, invited guests who supported that week's topic by providing real-world insight into how new technologies are transforming the creation, collaboration, distribution, and experience of media.

Sam said, “I invite guest speakers who are actively shaping the new technologies we’re studying. Because this field evolves so quickly, it’s important that students hear directly from practitioners working on the front lines—not just about what’s possible today, but about the challenges, decisions, and opportunities they’re navigating in real time.” 

Guests in the New Technologies course this summer included Paul Mezier (Acute Immersive) who discussed the emergence of immersive media platforms and new distribution models for spatial computing; Cortney Harding (Friends with Holograms) explored how smart glasses are reshaping human-computer interaction and what it means to move beyond the traditional two-dimensional screen; Elijah Welch, Bill Warner, and Alden Peters (Lightcraft Technology) demonstrated how virtual production is making sophisticated filmmaking tools accessible to independent creators through real-time collaboration using consumer devices; and Jonathan Serota (Open Industry Studios) examined how AI-powered production workflows enable distributed creative teams while maintaining provenance and accountability for AI-assisted content.

Sam went on to say, “Together, these guest lectures reinforce the course themes week by week, providing students with an industry perspective on how emerging technologies are transforming the way media is created, how creative teams collaborate, and how content is distributed and experienced.”