Curious how you can truly take your passion for film, television, and media off the textbook page and into a career after graduation? The LSA Opportunity Hub and the Department of Film, Television, and Media are bringing you straight to the best source: fellow alums working within the entertainment industry.
Skip the standard awkward industry networking event and get direct access to Michigan alums actively working across the industry. Join us for a supportive, round-robin networking session where you’ll rotate in small groups to meet seven alums and learn about how they’ve navigated the challenging entertainment industry. You'll hear about their day-to-day work, learn how they landed their first big breaks, and ask your burning questions about navigating early-career media roles.
MEET THE ALUMNI
Alum-shared bios will be provided as they become available.
Hannah Dando, class of 2025 | Film & Awards Publicity Coordinator, GINSBERG LIBBY, LLC
Hannah Dando is a Film & Awards Coordinator at Ginsberg / Libby, a Los Angeles based PR agency. She works directly on film release campaigns with leading studios and distributors including A24, Focus Features, Amazon MGM Studios, and more. She also supports Netflix’s film and television awards campaigns for the Oscars and Emmys.
Hannah graduated in 2025 with a B.A. in Film, Television, & Media. During her time at the University of Michigan, Hannah additionally worked as an intern for Universal Pictures, NBCUniversal Television, and Focus Features.
Brendan Dewley, class of 2022 | Manager, The Tour at NBC Studios (Connect with Brendan on LSA Connect.)
Brendan Dewley (B.A. ’22) is Manager of The Tour at NBC Studios, overseeing the day-to-day operations of guest experiences for tours and audiences at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. After graduating from FTVM, Brendan began his career as a General Production Intern at Late Night with Seth Meyers before transitioning into event and guest experience operations at NBCUniversal, including audience operations for the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
Alongside his work in entertainment operations, he continues to write and perform comedy in New York City with his sketch team, performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Brooklyn Comedy Collective theaters. At UM, Brendan wrote for The Every Three Weekly and performed with Midnight Book Club; having started his working life in food service, he is passionate about sharing his experience of taking an often-unexpected path into entertainment and turning creative interests into a sustainable career.
Jesse Krugel, class of 2024 | Coordinator, Manifest Pictures
Jesse Krugel is currently serving as a Coordinator at Manifest Pictures, where he is continuing to build his expertise in independent film finance and international sales. Prior to joining Manifest, Jesse spent a year and a half at WME Independent, supporting the agency’s international film sales business.
Jesse graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Film, Television, and Media. He currently serves as President of the University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition - Los Angeles (UMEC-LA), helping build community and create opportunities for Michigan alumni working across the entertainment industry.
Ben Servetah, class of 2023 | Showrunner's Assistant, Netflix
Ben Servetah is a showrunner’s assistant on an upcoming Netflix sports drama and previously worked on Netflix’s romance series Icebreaker.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Ben began his career at United Talent Agency as an Agent Trainee before becoming an assistant in the agency’s TV Literary Department. Based in Los Angeles, Ben is a screenwriter represented by Mosaic.
Izzy Soden, class of 2025 | Independent Writer, Producer, and Director
Izzy Soden is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and co-founder of Sodapop Pictures, an independent production company she founded with her sister, Emma. A 2025 University of Michigan graduate, Izzy earned her B.A. in Film, Television, and Media, with a sub-major in Screenwriting and a minor in Spanish. While at U-M, she wrote, directed, and produced several short films, building a foundation in screenwriting and independent filmmaking.
Izzy self-produced her feature-length debut as writer and director. The screenplay was selected as a Second Rounder in the 2025 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition, and the film is currently in post-production. Izzy is now developing additional feature screenplays as a writer and director.
Miles Stephenson, class of 2020 | Associate Producer, Fox Corporation
Miles Stephenson is a documentary producer and writer in New York City for the streaming platform Fox Nation. At University of Michigan, Miles was an FTVM major with a focus in screenwriting and film theory.
Since Michigan, Miles has worked in production on docs, TV shows, and studio films, often handling projects from the idea stage to the final delivery. In addition to making movies and TV shows, Miles also runs a podcast dedicated to analyzing great movies and holds regular in-person screenings in New York for cinephiles.
YOU SHOULD ATTEND IF YOU ARE:
An LSA student interested in breaking into Hollywood, indie film, broadcast TV, or streaming.
Looking to learn about early-career entry points—from assistants and coordinators to independent creators.
Eager to practice your networking skills in a structured, low-pressure environment.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
Direct Connections: Small-group, rotational access to every alum in the room, all with Film, Television, and Media degrees!
Industry Clarity: A realistic look at entry-level job titles, compensation realities, and career trajectories.
Actionable Advice: Pitching tips, resume advice, and insight into leveraging your LSA and Film, Television and Media degree in competitive markets like L.A., N.Y., and beyond.
The LSA Opportunity Hub aims to deliver inclusive and accessible experiences for all students. This event is on the first floor of a wheelchair-accessible building, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the first floor, a gender-inclusive and accessible restroom on the first floor, places to sit or stand during the event, and accessible parking options nearby on Maynard Street. Ramps are located at the East entrance (from State St.) and the Northwest entrance (from Maynard). Power doors are located at the Northwest entrance. We will be using microphones for all speakers and participant questions and automated closed captions (although imperfect) will be generated through google slides which also include alt text for screen readers. To request additional accommodations, please contact LSA Hub Events at lsa.hubevents@umich.edu.
Skip the standard awkward industry networking event and get direct access to Michigan alums actively working across the industry. Join us for a supportive, round-robin networking session where you’ll rotate in small groups to meet seven alums and learn about how they’ve navigated the challenging entertainment industry. You'll hear about their day-to-day work, learn how they landed their first big breaks, and ask your burning questions about navigating early-career media roles.
MEET THE ALUMNI
Alum-shared bios will be provided as they become available.
Hannah Dando, class of 2025 | Film & Awards Publicity Coordinator, GINSBERG LIBBY, LLC
Hannah Dando is a Film & Awards Coordinator at Ginsberg / Libby, a Los Angeles based PR agency. She works directly on film release campaigns with leading studios and distributors including A24, Focus Features, Amazon MGM Studios, and more. She also supports Netflix’s film and television awards campaigns for the Oscars and Emmys.
Hannah graduated in 2025 with a B.A. in Film, Television, & Media. During her time at the University of Michigan, Hannah additionally worked as an intern for Universal Pictures, NBCUniversal Television, and Focus Features.
Brendan Dewley, class of 2022 | Manager, The Tour at NBC Studios (Connect with Brendan on LSA Connect.)
Brendan Dewley (B.A. ’22) is Manager of The Tour at NBC Studios, overseeing the day-to-day operations of guest experiences for tours and audiences at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. After graduating from FTVM, Brendan began his career as a General Production Intern at Late Night with Seth Meyers before transitioning into event and guest experience operations at NBCUniversal, including audience operations for the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
Alongside his work in entertainment operations, he continues to write and perform comedy in New York City with his sketch team, performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Brooklyn Comedy Collective theaters. At UM, Brendan wrote for The Every Three Weekly and performed with Midnight Book Club; having started his working life in food service, he is passionate about sharing his experience of taking an often-unexpected path into entertainment and turning creative interests into a sustainable career.
Jesse Krugel, class of 2024 | Coordinator, Manifest Pictures
Jesse Krugel is currently serving as a Coordinator at Manifest Pictures, where he is continuing to build his expertise in independent film finance and international sales. Prior to joining Manifest, Jesse spent a year and a half at WME Independent, supporting the agency’s international film sales business.
Jesse graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Film, Television, and Media. He currently serves as President of the University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition - Los Angeles (UMEC-LA), helping build community and create opportunities for Michigan alumni working across the entertainment industry.
Ben Servetah, class of 2023 | Showrunner's Assistant, Netflix
Ben Servetah is a showrunner’s assistant on an upcoming Netflix sports drama and previously worked on Netflix’s romance series Icebreaker.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Ben began his career at United Talent Agency as an Agent Trainee before becoming an assistant in the agency’s TV Literary Department. Based in Los Angeles, Ben is a screenwriter represented by Mosaic.
Izzy Soden, class of 2025 | Independent Writer, Producer, and Director
Izzy Soden is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and co-founder of Sodapop Pictures, an independent production company she founded with her sister, Emma. A 2025 University of Michigan graduate, Izzy earned her B.A. in Film, Television, and Media, with a sub-major in Screenwriting and a minor in Spanish. While at U-M, she wrote, directed, and produced several short films, building a foundation in screenwriting and independent filmmaking.
Izzy self-produced her feature-length debut as writer and director. The screenplay was selected as a Second Rounder in the 2025 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition, and the film is currently in post-production. Izzy is now developing additional feature screenplays as a writer and director.
Miles Stephenson, class of 2020 | Associate Producer, Fox Corporation
Miles Stephenson is a documentary producer and writer in New York City for the streaming platform Fox Nation. At University of Michigan, Miles was an FTVM major with a focus in screenwriting and film theory.
Since Michigan, Miles has worked in production on docs, TV shows, and studio films, often handling projects from the idea stage to the final delivery. In addition to making movies and TV shows, Miles also runs a podcast dedicated to analyzing great movies and holds regular in-person screenings in New York for cinephiles.
YOU SHOULD ATTEND IF YOU ARE:
An LSA student interested in breaking into Hollywood, indie film, broadcast TV, or streaming.
Looking to learn about early-career entry points—from assistants and coordinators to independent creators.
Eager to practice your networking skills in a structured, low-pressure environment.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
Direct Connections: Small-group, rotational access to every alum in the room, all with Film, Television, and Media degrees!
Industry Clarity: A realistic look at entry-level job titles, compensation realities, and career trajectories.
Actionable Advice: Pitching tips, resume advice, and insight into leveraging your LSA and Film, Television and Media degree in competitive markets like L.A., N.Y., and beyond.
The LSA Opportunity Hub aims to deliver inclusive and accessible experiences for all students. This event is on the first floor of a wheelchair-accessible building, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the first floor, a gender-inclusive and accessible restroom on the first floor, places to sit or stand during the event, and accessible parking options nearby on Maynard Street. Ramps are located at the East entrance (from State St.) and the Northwest entrance (from Maynard). Power doors are located at the Northwest entrance. We will be using microphones for all speakers and participant questions and automated closed captions (although imperfect) will be generated through google slides which also include alt text for screen readers. To request additional accommodations, please contact LSA Hub Events at lsa.hubevents@umich.edu.
| Building: | LSA Building |
|---|---|
| Website: | |
| Event Type: | Careers / Jobs |
| Tags: | Alum Connections, Alumni, Arts, Communication, And Media, Career, Entertainment, Lsa Opportunity Hub |
| Source: | Happening @ Michigan from LSA Opportunity Hub |
