Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

<p>Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in?</p> <p>Have you ever struggled to find role models that looked like you and had similar life experiences?</p> <p>If you’re a person of color in Hollywood (specifically post-production), the likelihood is extremely high you know these issues all too well...like a likelihood of roughly 99% (<strong><a href= "https://optimizeyourself.me/diversity-in-hollywood-monty-degraff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">as I discussed in a previous episode with seasoned editor and mentor Monty Degraff</a></strong>).</p> <p>Furthermore, if you are a POC who’s a college student or recent grad, you might be concerned about how the color of your skin could affect the chances of you succeeding in the industry (and if it’s even worth trying), no?</p> <p>In today’s conversation, I discuss these issues and more with two recent grads and one senior from Temple University in Philadelphia, all of whom are black. Ariel Brown is a senior in the Film and Media Arts Program. Mirra Watkins graduated from Temple 3 years ago and has since moved to Los Angeles and is working as an AE and Editor in unscripted television and digital media. And last but not least, Isaiah Carey is a 2018 Temple graduate now working in the video production world as a cameraman and editor in Philadelphia.</p> <p>All three of these amazing, talented, intelligent, and hard-working individuals have navigated their way as minorities in a white-dominant industry and have learned some valuable lessons along the way that they have been courageous enough to share with you. Each of them have adopted the unique perspective to turn their struggles into their greatest assets. And each of them has learned that the adversity they face has made them stronger and more capable in their jobs and in life, and ultimately nothing will deter them from achieving their dreams.</p> <h3>Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?</h3> <p><strong><a href="https://optimizeyourself.me/subscribe/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">» Click