BURBANK, Calif.—The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) class of 2023. 

The program, which has accelerated the careers of over 100 graduates to date, is designed to be a robust networking, mentoring, and education resource for young professionals working in the industry.

YEP class members, selected by HPA committee, are encouraged to take advantage of the full spectrum of HPA activities, including the HPA Tech Retreat and HPA Awards. They are paired with advanced career mentors who often become long-term supports as they continue to advance.

“Of all the HPA initiatives that bring value to our industry and community, the YEP program is one of the most important,” explained HPA president Seth Hallen. “Connecting the brilliant and talented next generation with mentors is critical, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch the YEPs create their own networks that shape our community. Once again, the members of the 2023 YEP class have impressive accomplishments and important perspectives. I can’t wait to see what they can achieve as they move forward and contribute to the advancement of our industry.”

The 2023 YEP Class: 

• Victor Amigo, Eluvio
• Lauren Balladares, Freelance
• Luke Birch, Netflix
• Ekaterina Buchneva, Sensor Tower
• Allison Eilhart, ROE Visual
• Jamie Foley, 495 Productions
• Jazmin Freire, Black Cake
• Allyson Geiger, Marvel Studios
• Maddie Hong, Netflix
• Colin Hughes, Light Iron
• Vivian Ip, Independent Filmmaker
• Rachel Jobin, 6P Color
• Haley Kreofsky, Freelance
• Jennifer Losch, Work Editorial
• Erik Mahoney, Paramount Pictures
• Kara Prichard, A+E Networks
• Cassandra Rodriguez, Pixar
• Erick Silvera, Freelance
• Sarah Xu, Fox Entertainment 
• Simon Yahn, Technicolor Creative Studios
• Jimmy Zhu, Scanline VFX

The YEP program is sponsored in part by AVID. For further information, visit hpaonline.com.

BURBANK, Calif.—The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has issued a call for applications for its 2023 Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program.

The program offers career support for those between 21 and 32 years old who are creative talent, project managers and administrative professionals through mentorship, community building and education, the HPA said.

Applications for the 2023 class are due Nov. 1. Those applying will be notified of their status in early December. The class commences January 2023, it said.

The YEP program, formed in 2015, has seen more than 150 young professionals graduate and take industry roles. Each class has built a community of peers and a diverse professional network for alumni of the program and the entering class, it said.

The program is broken into two phases. The first, which runs January through June, immerses participants in HPA activities as well as the media and entertainment industry.  New YEP participants attend an orientation program and a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the year, including the HPA Tech Retreat in Palm Springs, Calif., Feb. 20-23, 2023. Participants are invited to all HPA events and are expected to attend a minimum of four during the year.

The second phase, which begins in June, sees an evaluation of each YEP participant by the mentoring committee for pairing with an industry leader from July to December. At the end of the mentorship, participants are again evaluated by the committee to determine eligibility for a Certificate of Completion, it said.

“With each YEP class, our industry becomes stronger, and we have more brilliant and inspiring people to work with as we push the limits of what is possible,” said HPA president Seth Hallen. “I encourage every young person to consider applying: to build a diverse community, to connect with seasoned mentors, to access all kinds of career-changing events, and to learn an incredible amount of valuable information to power your thinking.” 

Those wishing to apply must complete an online application and supply one letter of recommendation. 

More information is available on the HPA website.

BURBANK, Calif.—The Hollywood Professional Association has announced its Young Entertainment Professionals Class of 2021, the fifth year of the program, which will officially get underway in January.

Here are the young professionals making up the 2021 class:

• Bibi Arbab, The Walt Disney Company 
• Veronica Badell, Academy Gold 
• Fernanda Bueno, NBCUniversal 
• Cathy Bui, Room306 Media LLC 
• Yasmine Cheikh-Eljeilat, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 
• Huan Cheng, Center for Asian American Media 
• Sara Duque, Cala Producciones S.A.S. 
• Tahirah Foy, HBO 
• Melissa Guiterrez, Narrative Ads 
• Liv Gwynn, National Geographic Channel 
• Desmond Jackson, PMF Media 
• Nikki Jee, Paramount Pictures 
• Simon Lecointe, Dalet 
• Barbara Losseau, GBH 
• Catheryn Mallari, Premier Digital 
• Natalie Mangione, Walt Disney Studios 
• Twi McCallum 
• Whitney McElveen, Netflix 
• Bowen Moreno, Xperi 
• Benjamin Noble, 3 Ball Entertainment 
• Nicoletta Nomicou 
• Evan Okada, Sim International 
• Maria Quiroga, Mariangela Quiroga Photography 
• Leah Robinson, Big Brother 
• Karla Rodriguez, Sony Pictures Entertainment 
• Drew Roublick 
• Megan Schneider, Marvel Studios 
• Nicole Thrakulchavee, Company 3 
• Stephanie To, Tremendous Entertainment 
• Mackenzie Webster, Nordstrom 
• Adam Wohlers, Disney Creative Services 
• Ting Yu, IATSE Local 700/ACE 

The YEP program was established in 2017 and designed to provide support, education and encouragement to young professionals. HPA says that more than 100 have taken part in the program thus far.

“Each year we are thoroughly impressed by the accomplishments of YEP program applicants,” said Kari Grubin, YEP steering committee co-chair. “It’s thrilling to bring such a bright and talented group of individuals together for the program’s fifth year and connect them with the resources and people that will help them set and achieve bold goals for both their careers and our industry.”

The 2021 YEP program will begin with an exclusive event in January.

For more information, visit www.hpaonline.com.  

BURBANK, Calif.—HPA is once again offering an avenue for young entertainment professionals to advance their careers through its Young Entertainment Professionals program. Applications for the 2021 program are now being accepted.

Since its founding in 2015, YEP has sought to connect young professionals between the ages of 21 and 32 with mentors and provide educational offerings that can help accelerate their professional development into industry leadership positions.

As part of the program, YEP participants receive free or reduced fee access to YEP and HPA events, like the HPA Tech Retreat, YEP Roundtable Mentor Event, HPA’s virtual event series and more. They also receive an annual membership in HPA and SMPTE.

There are two phases of the year-long YEP program. Phase 1 takes place from January through May and requires that participant to attend the YEP orientation day as well as one other major event and at least four virtual events or casual meet-ups throughout the year. Phase 2 begins in May and will pair participants with an industry leader as a mentor. At the end of Phase 2, participants are evaluated on their eligibility to receive a certificate of completion.

“HPA is a place where those who participate make connections that last a lifetime,” said Kari Grubin, who co-created the YEP program. “Becoming a YEP puts you in a great position to do just that, and if you are able to invest in your YEP experience, it will be an invaluable asset as you build your career.”

Applications are being accepted until Oct. 12, which entails an online application and one letter of recommendation. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-November, with classes starting in January 2021.

For more information, visit www.hpaonline.com.  

BURBANK, Calif.—The HPA is now accepting applications for its 2020 Young Entertainment Professionals program, a year-long program designed to help professionals between the ages of 21 and 32 to network and learn from peers and industry leaders.

Now in its fourth year, the YEP Program will begin in October and provides its participants with mentoring and education, introductions to industry leaders, invitations to events and access to resources to help further their careers. In the past, YEPs have taken part in HPA Tech Retreat and SMPTE Annual Technical Conference panels, produced webinar series and contributed columns to the HPA NewsLine e-newsletter.

New for this year’s participants will be the introduction of two distinct sections. Section 1 takes place from October to February, starting with an orientation at the SMPTE Annual Technical Conference and finishing with the HPA Tech Retreat. Attendance at the SMPTE conference is mandatory, while YEPs must attend one other event during the four-month timeframe.

Section 2 custom pairs YEP participants with an industry leader from March to September and will receive free or reduced fee access to YEP and other HPA community events. At the end of this section, YEPs will be evaluated by the Mentorship committee for eligibility to receive the Certificate of Completion.

To apply for the program, applicants must be currently working in media content creation in a creative, technical or project management/administrative role and be between the ages of 21 and 32 as of Oct. 23. In addition to filling out the application, applicants must provide a recommendation from an employer or professional project supervisor. The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 20. Selected participants will be notified by Oct. 1.

For more information on what participation in YEP provides and to officially apply, visit HPA’s website.

LOS ANGELES--The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the 2019 class of Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP). Sponsored by HPA, YEP was developed to provide talented individuals early in their careers in the media content industry with connection, mentoring and opportunities for engagement. 

The announcement came during the SMPTE 2018 Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition in Los Angeles. The class was chosen by the YEP advisory committee from a group of applicants motivated to develop lasting relationships with industry leaders and other young professionals.

The YEP program provides a unique framework for young professionals to network and learn from peers and mentors. YEP mentors, who volunteer their time and expertise, are industry leaders who bring extensive knowledge to their mentees. Over the course of the year, YEP class members participate in a variety of events including the HPA Tech Retreat, HPA Awards, exclusive mentoring events and a number of YEP peer–driven events.

The 2019 YEP Class 

Zach Beggs, 3Ball Entertainment

Daniel Brown, Premiere Digital Services

Michelle Diaz, Pixelogic

Caroline Gilmore, ABC Studios

Bonnie Gross, Encore Hollywood

Jordan Hunter, Disney

Claire Iannelli, FotoKem

Dominic Koponen, Panavision LightIron

Daniel Larsh, DoctorPedia

Kimberly Martinez, ABC Studios

Elizabeth Peterson, Johnny Anarchy

Zoe Pinczower, Netflix

Clare Runciman, Home Los Angeles

Karen Singer, Viacom

Harmeet Singh, Dolby Laboratories

Colette Speer, New Media Hollywood

Jessica Wan, Pixar Animation Studios

Zachary Witherspoon, LightIron

Iris Wu, Ambidio

Katherine Yo, Disney

In keeping with tradition, the YEP class gathered at SMPTE 2018 for their first official event. Roundtable discussions, connection with mentors and peers, and expert-led presentations were followed by presentations by technology partners Avid, Cinnafilm, Dolby, Microsoft, Sundog and DTS/Xperi. Remarks from HPA Vice President Chuck Parker, incoming SMPTE President Pat Griffis and Kari Grubin, chair of HPA Women in Post responsible for incubating the program, kicked off the day.

Loren Nielsen, co-chair of the YEP committee, noted, “Witnessing YEP’s evolution has been nothing short of inspiring for the committee. The level of engagement has grown and the events have taken on their own energy from the talented YEPs organizing them. Each year, our applicants have been outstanding. We have been delighted to see our talented 2017 and 2018 YEP classes step up as industry participants and leaders in their own right.”

In closing the day, Parker noted “The YEP program is great source of pride to all of us at HPA. We are thoroughly impressed with the caliber of the class as well as their eagerness to connect with mentors and peers to make this an engaging and valuable experience. YEP membership is the future of HPA, and the HPA future is bright.”