MakeMake Entertainment Announces 2023 Inaugural Class of Residents

Feb. 09, 2023

MakeMake Entertainment is proud to announce MakeMake Residencies' inaugural class. The nine-month paid residency program is designed to open pathways for diverse professionals working in the entertainment industry. Areas of focus include editorial, visual effects, design, sound supervision, and production. Netflix is the program’s flagship partner, with support made possible by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.

With outreach help from a network of leading culture change organizations including Ghetto Film School, UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers, Storyline Partners, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and more, the program received an enthusiastic response exceeding 500 applicants. 

The five residents selected to participate in the program are Adiana Rivera (Editorial), Mohammed Rahman (Editorial), Jason Gaines (Design & Visual Effects), Pilar Fitzgerald (Sound Supervision), and Anfernee Aguado (Production). 

Collaborating directly with MakeMake’s artists and producers, residents will participate in the company’s unique interdisciplinary approach and are already at work on active studio projects spanning documentary and scripted content, main titles, entertainment marketing, and global advertising.  Led by Residency Co-directors Liat Rubin and Bedonna Smith, Head of Talent Ann Hoang, and Managing Director Jennifer Sofio Hall, programming will include one-on-one mentorship with MakeMake professionals, internal and external speaker events, career development, and interaction with leading companies across the wide array of the studio’s collaborators and clients.  Through the program, participants will deepen their storytelling craft and continue to build the skills they need to thrive. The residents will engage across MakeMake’s family of companies, including Rock Paper Scissors, Elastic, a52, Primary, Jax, Indestructible, and MakeMake Entertainment. 

MakeMake founder Angus Wall said: 

"We are thrilled to welcome Pilar, Adi, Moh, Anfernee, and Jason into the studio. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside these five creatives who will help shape the future of our industry. We look forward to growing the Residency program in the future and thank our partner Netflix for their continued vision and support."

 

Managing Director Jennifer Sofio Hall said: 

"As residents explore their interests across creative lanes, they’ll have the opportunity to gather meaningful resources and industry knowledge, setting them up for a productive path ahead. We’re grateful to our colleagues at Netflix whose support allows us to continue our dedication to the future of our industry."