LA internships inspire Poitier Film School grad to pursue his cinematic dreams
Poitier Film School student Byron Roberson celebrates his BFA in Film and Media Production. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Byron Roberson can’t wait to get to work on set. It’s an adventure the Houston, Texas, native feels prepared to take on thanks to the real-world industry experience he got earning his BFA in film and media production at The Sidney Poitier New American Film School.
Through his participation in The Poitier Film School’s Semester in LA (SiLA) study abroad program, Roberson landed an internship at Rain Management Group, an LA-based media company that represents clients to help build careers in film, television, theater and other mediums.
“It’s been really rewarding to see and do things at a professional level and be directly exposed to industry standards and development practices,” Roberson said. “It’s definitely made me more conscious of representation for myself and made me think of my own roadmap to getting it.”
During his semester in LA, Roberson also interned for CineStory’s writer’s retreat, an experience he called “amazing.”
“The experience allowed me to meet and interact with such a variety of writers and creatives in a really amazing, creatively oriented environment,” he said.
We caught up with Roberson to ask him about his time studying film in LA and how ASU has prepared him to pursue his cinematic dreams.
Question: Why did you choose ASU and The Poitier Film School?
Answer: It’s one of those things that just felt right every step of the way. Over the course of my time at ASU, my development as a creative very naturally aligned with the growth of the program. And to study under Sidney Poitier’s name means the world.
Q: What made you want to pursue a film degree? What was your “aha” moment?
A: Media and art shaped me throughout my childhood, and films dictated what I wanted to be at any point growing up. Performing was something I was always familiar with, and as I matured, I turned to writing and storytelling. When it came to deciding what to study in college, I very naturally zeroed in on film as my focus and never looked back.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Surround yourself with the right people. It sounds so cliché, but it has been amazing finding collaborators that I have loved working with and really hope to again in the future. The people I've met have been amazing, and finding them has easily been one of the best parts of my time at ASU.
Q: Is there a particular professor who really made an impact on you?
A: There are several, but Assistant Professor Reina Higashitani hands down has had the biggest impact on me as a creative. As a director, taking her class was transformative, and she really pushed me to think about that role in its entirety. It was also amazing to have a professor to share my taste with and to have open dialogue about a plethora of films.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: Currently, I plan to head north, most likely to Chicago. I’m in a place where I really want to be on set more than anything, and Chicago has a rapidly growing market and a really strong art community that I identify with and would love to embrace post-graduation.
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