SPRING 2025
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION TRAINEES
Elana Cooper
There were only two female cinematographers in my class. I was the only A.A female in the class who also writes; I am a Creative; eye candy is my thing! Motion Capture is a gargantuan part of my future; it allows us to reframe our "fantasmidorical" wishes (yes I made that word up!) onto the screen, in storyteller mode to whisk you out of your seat!
Erika Lopez
My name is Erika and I am currently a TV & Film Set Security Officer/Freelance Production Assistant based in Los Angeles aspiring to be a 1stAC/DP. I'm Mexican/American and proudly the 6th born of 8 kids to immigrant parents. I have a creative passion for sketching/drawing and building Legos. I hope to expand my skill set in virtual production, VFX, and animation.
Jeffrey Gee Chin
Jeffrey Gee Chin is a filmmaker and publisher whose Academy-Qualified short "Lil Tokyo Reporter," starring Chris Tashima as Sei Fujii, earned over 21 awards and a place at Cannes Short Film Corner. His biography "A Rebel’s Outcry" secured gold medals at the California Book Awards and Independent Publisher’s Book Awards, with his work showcased by the U.S. State Department, Walt Disney Family Museum, and ABC’s Good Morning America. Having collaborated with brands like Sam’s Club and Spotify and mentored as a protégé of the late John Singleton, Chin is currently crafting a graphic novel and his next feature film.
K.D. Christopher
K.D. Christopher is a Bronx-born, Silver Spring–raised writer who crafts immersive fantasy, sci-fi, and horror stories rooted in underrepresented perspectives. Inspired by the lack of Black girls in the TV, films, and games she loved growing up, she began making worlds— often sneaking her mom’s printer paper to draw comics and write stories, and practicing VFX in After Effects. She became the first woman overall and student since the 1960's from Towson University to earn a Television Academy Foundation fellowship and her work has since earned her internships at Monkeypaw Productions, MAX, and Fulwell73, as well as an upcoming writing credit on an Issa Rae–produced podcast. K.D. is passionate about blending peculiar worlds through technology with stories that challenge stereotypes and center ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Kyro Wavebourne
I am a multifaceted-hyphenate who just wants to be a valuable cog in your machine. You read that right. I want to be of value to you, and I hope to use what I learn in this program to not only empower myself but others in their journey.
Rahman Mustapha
I have enjoyed the idea of making new realities and altering the way people perceive the world since I saw an episode of Brain Games on National Geographic during a high school class. I have since encountered a wealth of incredible work being done related to human-centered engineering. Whether it’s, brain-machine interfaces and neural signal processing, or human-computer interaction and creative computation. I have been able to extensively follow my passions regarding these topics and those surrounding them, which only get more interesting to me as I learn more about them.
Sean Addo
Sean Addo is a Ghanaian-American writer and director whose love for animation sparked a bold career in storytelling. Known for his genre-bending narratives rooted in African heritage, Sean blends striking visuals, VFX, and emotional depth to explore identity in unforgettable ways. A recent EMMY-nominated editor, Sean brings African folklore and the legend of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown to life with cinematic flair. Learning directly from the late John Singleton on the set of FX’s Snowfall continues to inspire his pursuit of crafting fiercely original stories that move, challenge, and electrify the screen.
Sterling Danzy
Sterling Danzy is an Operations Consultant specializing in Entertainment and Technology, with over a decade of experience driving projects for top brands like Meta, Apple TV+, and Disney, as well as serving as an Adjunct Faculty member at the New York Film Academy. Recently accepted into The Handy Foundation’s Virtual Production Program, Sterling is diving deeper into cutting-edge production technologies to expand creative capabilities. With a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach, Sterling consistently drives innovation and strategic growth, building scalable solutions that bridge the gap between creativity and execution.
Terence "Terry" Rivera
Born in the Bronx and raised mainly in Brooklyn with a few years in Puerto Rico, Terence “Terry” Rivera is a Navy veteran and retired FDNY firefighter now based in Los Angeles. He has worked as a firefighter script consultant on a CBS pilot and a medical tech advisor on ABC’s The Rookie. Terry hopes to one day work on the ILM LED stage, with the opening line: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...”
Trevor Ames
I’m a creative with skills in photography, videography, and graphic designer with a keen eye for storytelling and visual communication. Adept at capturing and crafting compelling content for commercial, branding, and artistic purposes. Skilled in creative direction, client collaboration, and delivering high-quality visuals that drive engagement. I’d like to one day develop and combine these skills into a more established career within virtual production and film.
