Mackie Kravitz
Name: Mackie Kravitz
Graduation Year: 2019
Major: Theatre
Minor: Entertainment Industry
Hometown: Agoura Hills, California
What were your favorite positions/memories at TVTV?
I was a CTPR 409 student my freshman year and then went on to produce and host CU@USC and The Morning Brew my sophomore to senior year. I was also the event coordinator and a correspondent for The SCoop. I have so many amazing memories from Trojan Vision from interviewing Nancy Cartwright to competing against my Morning Brew co-anchor, Sam Newman in Mind Games every other week to covering the La La Land Premiere.
How was your transition process out of USC and into the workplace?
I was lucky in that I had been working as a production assistant while I was still a student at USC. I would work any free days I had and that really helped my transition after graduation because I already had a part-time job. The most difficult part for me was the silence. Once you graduate, you no longer have classes and activities that fill every hour of your schedule so learning how to utilize and enjoy my free time was the biggest hurdle for me.
What are you up to now?
I’m currently working as a segment producer for various shows. In 2020, I worked on season 2 of Love Island USA, a Snapchat original, and a new talk show coming to E! in March! I have also started developing a few projects and hope to get them off the page in front of some eyes later this year. I want to be able to do it all – write, direct, produce, act, pitch, edit, etc. I truly believe the best creators are the ones who know how to do it all.
How has TVTV affected your career?
I met so many wonderful people through TVTV, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. I always followed up with guests I had on CU@USC and it taught me the importance of forming and maintaining relationships. Once I started producing I realized that most jobs you get will come directly from word of mouth. TVTV taught me how to network and make connections and that’s how I was able to jump-start my career.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’m sure right now there’s a good amount of students who are questioning whether to pursue an artistic passion or commit to a “safe job” after graduation – it’s hard enough to land a job in 2021, let alone a job in the arts. I’m here to inspire you to put in the work and take the risk to achieve the career you want. This pandemic won’t last forever and if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that there will always be a need for compelling content & stories.
** Please reach out to our Industry Relations Manager, Phoebe Lai (pelai@usc.edu) to get in touch with our Notable Alumni or be featured in our next newsletter!