Say hi to our Fall 2023 Studio Interns! We have a diverse group of aspiring artists interested in pre-production, production, and post-production, and they are getting hands-on experience with lighting, cinematography, audio, and more. They’re attending “Lunch & Learn” lectures from industry speakers, exposure trips to professional studios and rental houses, and gaining on-set experience with BAYCAT Studio. By the end of the cohort, they will build on their technical skills and hone in on their artistic voices as they collaborate on projects, such as new episodes of Black Biz in the Bay with Oakland coffee shop kinfolx, and The Bay Sounds Like featuring Astu. We’re looking forward to what these creatives come up with in the next few months!
Joseph Ayala (he/him) was born and raised in Sacramento and moved to San Francisco to pursue a B.A. in Cinema from San Francisco State University. Recently graduated in Spring 2023, he focused on gaining experience for on set production as cinematographer and sound designer.
Cencere Baker (he/him) is a video editor and filmmaker who found his passion for filmmaking in Burbank, CA, and continues to develop it here in San Francisco. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in Media and Film Studies. He hopes to gain valuable knowledge and meaningful connections during his time at BAYCAT.
Taylor Balaoro (she/her) is a second-generation Filipina-American filmmaker born and raised around Sacramento with a B.A. in Film from Sacramento State University. When part of a project, she values collaboration, diversity, genuine people, and authentic storytelling. Her future goals include working on independent film sets and elevating her cinematography and editing skills.
Trenity Davis (she/her) is an aspiring writer raised in San Francisco. She has an interest in cinematography and directing and looks forward to building her skills in those areas. She looks forward to executing creative pursuits whether it be her own ideas or a collaboration of any sort.
Jennifer Gee (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts. She has enjoyed writing since middle school and continues throughout college. She looks forward to improving her skills in video and audio editing, along with helping people's dreams come true.
Samson Lothscutz (he/him) is an Ethiopian-American director, writer, cinematographer, and recent graduate from Santa Clara University with a B.A. in Communication. Having lived in various cultures throughout his life, he seeks to use visual storytelling to bridge social, cultural, and linguistic barriers.
John Oyervidez (he/him) was born and raised in Fresno County, and moved to San Francisco to pursue a career in media. He recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Cinema and Minor in Philosophy. He has a love for the technical side of the filmmaking process as well as just being on set with others collectively trying to bring ideas to life.
Milan Perry (she/her) is an aspiring filmmaker and photographer from the Bay Area. Currently pursuing a B.A. in Film and Television Production at San Francisco State University, Milan aspires to further her career by earning a Master's degree in Film, specializing in directing, with a strong ambition to become a director.
Brian Phan (he/him) is an aspiring Asian-American cinematographer and director based in Santa Clara. Transferring from Foothill Community College, he is pursuing a B.A. in film. He loves shooting narrative and documentary films and hopes to make films that will inspire the people around him. At BAYCAT, he hopes to learn and refine his cinematography, editing, and directing skills.
Sofia Silvia (she/her) is an emerging producer, journalist and multimedia creator with a background and passion for nonfiction video storytelling. With a B.S in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she spent her college years concentrating in live media production and nonfiction video, initially pursuing a role in television news producing. Her favorite part of the film industry is being able to create a platform for her community and share the passions of others. Following this internship, she hopes to use her skills to continue telling inspiring stories.