Southwestern Alumna Achieves Career Dreams Through New York Arts Program

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Southwestern Alumna Achieves Career Dreams Through New York Arts Program

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From the moment Camille Krumwiede '22 stepped foot on Southwestern University's campus as a high school senior, she knew that it was the place where she could chase her dream of working in the film industry. Seven years and two degrees later, that dream became a reality when she was accepted into the prestigious New York Arts Program, setting her on a path that has led to roles atAnd Just Like That… and Atlantic Pictures.

"I knew I wanted to be in the New York Arts Program since the first day I took a tour at Southwestern as a senior in high school, seven years ago," Krumwiede said. "There was a presentation where they talked about the New York Arts Program and I immediately knew that I wanted to be in the program."

The New York Arts Program offers admitted students a semester-long, fully immersive experience in New York City's dynamic film and television industry through internships, advising, and seminars. The highly-selective program is only available to current students and recent graduates within two years of completing their undergraduate studies.

After graduating from Southwestern in 2022 with degrees in theatre and psychology, Krumwiede earned various roles across Central Texas' booming film and television landscape. She served as a production assistant and background actor for several productions on Apple TV, Max, and The CW, all while keeping her dream to join the New York Arts Program alive.

When the six-month Writers Guild of America strike brought productions in Texas - and across the country - to a screeching halt in the spring of 2023, Krumwiede invested a renewed focus into her New York Arts Program application. In January of 2024, she learned that she had been accepted into the program, just before her final semester of eligibility.

"I was feeling really excited and then really nervous, because I was actually jumping into this professionally," Krumwiede said. "I was extremely motivated and kept working for six or seven years to be able to dedicate myself to the program. With the great connections that Southwestern has made with the New York Arts Program, I knew there were going to be opportunities."

Those opportunities presented themselves nearly immediately, as Krumwiede secured a Production Assistant Internship at Atlantic Pictures, as well as an Art Department Internship on the Max Original seriesAnd Just Like That…. In her role at Atlantic Pictures, she assists with reviewing and analyzing scripts, ensures that sets run smoothly, and jumps into action as needs arise.

Krumwiede is also currently working on season three ofAnd Just Like That…, the new chapter of the HBO groundbreaking seriesSex and the City. Her duties include noting changes in the set design, printing new set releases of the changes, tagging along to location scouts to learn the art department's roles, studying from the show's Production Designer, Miguel Lopez-Castillo, conducting research into elements of set design, and many more tasks. One of her key research responsibilities includes ensuring that the research matches the art directors' and designers vision of what they are trying to achieve for the set design.

Krumwiede made an instant connection with Lopez-Castillo. On her first day, she noticed that he was working on a 3D model of a complicated set design, a skill that she learned during coursework with Professor of Theatre Desi Roybal at Southwestern.

"I have been able to not only apply the skills that I learned at Southwestern with my theatre and psychology majors, but also use those skills to make real connections in the professional world, which is great," she said. "It has been really cool to learn from Miguel, especially how to navigate different art departments at different productions."

While her time in New York City has presented numerous opportunities, it has also presented some challenges. It is estimated that women make up just 21% of directors, writers, editors, cinematographers, producers, and executives in the film industry. As a young female building her career in a historically male-dominated industry, she has battled false perceptions and gender stereotypes.

"I had to build a thick skin as soon as I got here," Krumwiede said. "It's difficult to navigate sometimes because you'll meet people that will try to tear you down or question your qualifications. The best perspective that I have learned is that it's better to do your own thing and not try to prove yourself to anybody. Just be your authentic self and build your own path."

"I have been able to not only apply the skills that I learned at Southwestern with my theatre and psychology majors, but also use those skills to make real connections in the professional world." - Camille Krumwiede '22

Despite the critics, Krumwiede knows that she has a support system to lean on, one that extends all the way back to Southwestern. During her time at SU, she showcased not only her positive attitude, but her talents as well, earning the Jason Magnon Award in 2022. Named in honor of Jason Magnon '16, the scholarship is awarded annually to students who demonstrate a technical mastery of writing. She credits the Magnon family for believing in her vision and allowing her the flexibility to pursue her dreams.

"They not only saw what my process was, but how passionate I was," she said of the Magnon family. "They allowed me to be more successful and more confident in my career. I am truly grateful for their support. I am ecstatic to see that they are still involved with helping other students and how it can positively impact all of us, in honor of Jason Magnon."

Looking back to her time at Southwestern, Krumwiede credits her ability to write and her ability to showcase her skills as two contributing factors to her current success. She encourages students looking to break into the film and television industry to keep writing, constantly look for opportunities to display their talents, and not to be afraid to study topics outside of their discipline.

"I have been able to apply many of my multidisciplinary skills that I learned at Southwestern, and it makes me really grateful that I earned a double major with psychology and theatre," she said. "Not only do I understand the social psychology and thought processes behind the business, but I learned the different dynamics of how to navigate the professional world and persuade people when I have to pitch something."

"The best perspective that I have learned is that it's better to do your own thing and not try to prove yourself to anybody. Just be your authentic self and build your own path." - Camille Krumwiede '22

This fall, Krumwiede is set to embark on yet another New York City adventure - a Production Assistant Internship at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. There, she will work with a variety of different departments, including writing, music booking, green room management, on-stage production, and off-stage skits and interviews. This next opportunity will allow the Grapevine, TX native to share her unique skill set and personality with yet another major production, just like she has done atAnd Just Like That…and Atlantic Pictures.

"I'm glad that I came here with an open mind, receptive, and ready to learn new things and adapt within the industry," she said. "I like to think that I bring the southern hospitality to the film industry. Showing kindness, not just professionally, but personally, and making sure that everybody is taken care of has really helped me create a great community and work environment."

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