This is a guest post written by our CFA ArtsForce Interns
Before the break, ArtsForce held its second Career Trek of the fall semester at the Utah Film Center in Salt Lake City. This event gave students a closer look into potential career paths in the filmmaking industry and offered guidance on finding job opportunities that build our creative futures. It was also a great chance for students to connect with festival staff and learn about real-world film production settings.
As we retreated from the chilly weather into the center's warm and welcoming environment, we were greeted with an array of snacks and free coffee. Then the staff took us through their different work areas, showing us how their events operate behind the scenes.
After the tour, we sat down in the Film Center’s new 180-person black box theater. The panel included Russell Roots (director of film exhibition), Julie Gale (education & family program director), Sophie Caligiuri (Development manager), Logan Meyers (education manager), Jenn Blum (Marketing), A Madden (Artist Foundry manager), Mariah Mellus (Executive Director), and Josh Levy (Exhibition and Technology Officer).
The highlight of the trek were the panel discussions, where these industry professionals shared what they do, how their jobs fit into the larger film ecosystem, and the personal stories that led them to their current roles. The event wrapped up with a lively Q&A session, where students asked thoughtful questions, and the panelists gave generous, valuable advice.
For the first section of the panel, they discussed how odd jobs can help you develop skills in your career journey. Julie Gale noted the importance of saying yes to new and interesting opportunities that can help grow your knowledge. Russell Roots pointed out that jobs with high turnover can be a good opportunity to learn about team building and coaching. Through his work in education, Logan Meyers shared what he learned about effectively communicating ideas and how to present them.
Next, the panel talked over how to balance creative & logistical problems. Mariah mentioned how there’s always a way to put a creative spin on an otherwise menial task. A Madden, the Artist Foundry Manager, talked about discipline and how building structures that support creativity, such as deadlines and time blocking, can give your brain room to breathe, and shared that working with other filmmakers made them a better artist. Both community and teamwork were central points in their portions of the panel, leading them to call out the competitive nature of the film industry, stating: “The times I’ve seen people really support each other and not compete against each other, the best work comes out of it.”
The Artist Foundry was introduced at the start of our trek as both a physical space inside the Artist Commons, and as a network of filmmakers and artists that support one another. Our group was informed of the resources available to members which include rentable editing and meeting spaces, exhibition opportunities, workshops, and connection to a live film community here in Utah. The Foundry serves filmmakers at all points of their journey– from the novices to the experts. Although our group was mostly film students, there were other art majors eagerly seeking opportunities to be involved. While the center didn’t have specific programs outside of film, A Madden, alongside other speakers, stressed the importance of community involvement and leaning into the natural overlap that forms from these varying disciplines. The Artist Foundry was name dropped as a resource alongside the Utah Film Center's many festivals, screenings, and workshops, which are always looking for new collaborators.
After the panel and Q&A session, our group dispersed to mingle and network with each other in the Utah Film Center’s common area. This was an excellent opportunity for students to converse with one another and meet with industry professionals to share expertise, advice, and potential resources within the local film community. The industry professionals were more than happy to connect with students, answering questions or providing professional and career development opportunities. These pros continued to emphasize the power of teamwork, communication, and local involvement. If you’re looking for a future in film, it’s critical to establish connections in the industry as soon as possible.
Whether freshly entering the industry, working professionally, or somewhere in between, the Artist Foundry at the Utah Film Center provides diverse opportunities, such as film festivals, rentable materials, and networking events for filmmakers to strengthen their connections within the film community. The career trek to the Utah Film Center was a wonderfully productive event, integrating education and real-world experience to enhance the career development of University of Utah Fine Arts students. Be on the lookout for Artsforce’s future career treks in Spring 2026. We hope to see you there!
