Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career.
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and studied English at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. I moved to Los Angeles in 2009 with plans to be a writer, but I always loved to draw. Eventually, I landed an internship at Nickelodeon and figured out there was this great job called “Storyboard Artist” where you get to write and draw, but they pay you grownup money, and I thought: “Hey, I’ll do that!” I took classes at Concept Design Academy in Pasadena to get my skills up, and eventually broke into storyboarding in live action on The Dark Tower in 2016. A few years later, I had the opportunity to work in animation on a since-shelved Netflix feature called Cattywumpus, which got me into TAG. Since then, I have worked on a few action-adventure animated series as a board artist, as well as continuing my work in live action and videogame storyboarding.
Why did you want to begin volunteering within the Guild?
As the threat of Generative AI became clearer in 2023, I saw an e-mail calling for volunteers for the AI Task Force. I think I probably had a particularly bad day on Twitter and was fired up and volunteered to join.
What is the best thing about volunteering for you?
Volunteering does wonders for my mental health. We are all constantly beset by bad news in the world, and pushed around by forces that so often feel outside of our control. Working with the Union is a way to claw back some of that control and help myself and fellow workers.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned while volunteering?
It’s said all the time, but the Union really is its members. Obviously we have some great staff, but as I have gotten more involved, I am aware of how much has to be done by members volunteering their time, energy, and information. Things aren’t magically reported by the studios or unions. Events and contract proposals don’t magically happen. It all takes member organization and elbow grease.
What have you learned from volunteering that helps you in other areas of your life?
I have ended up doing a good deal of press engagement around AI for TAG, and it has helped me grow my confidence and ability in speaking extemporaneously and persuasively.
How has volunteering with the Guild impacted your life?
I have fought to get a contract for TAG! I have also met many wonderful TAG members who have become personal friends who I would not have met in regular production situations.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about volunteering?
It is not scary, and it does not have to be all-encompassing. You do not have to know everything. We are happy for more help, and you will feel great after you do it!
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