Film and Video Production
Katie Dehn '06
Employer
52 Watt Studios / Senior Video Editor
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
Following graduation I spent a year freelancing on various small
projects in Michigan as a video editor, PA, and boom operator. One of
my highlights was working as a PA on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in
Detroit. I then took a part time job at my current employer while also
working part time at a photography studio and soon I became a full
time employee as a junior video editor. I am now the senior video
editor at 52 Watt Studios and love my coworkers and our clients! I did
take a year off to move to Houston where I freelanced as a wedding
video editor and was a PA for The Voice auditions. But I am so happy
to be back in Michigan for the past 7 years now and to be with the
company that gave me my first big-girl job.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
My favorite experience was working on the GVSU Summer Film
Project: The Gospel According to Roy. It was a unique experience that
was just like working on a professional set with professional actors
and crew. I loved the comaraderie we all shared and still keep in
contact with many of the film students from that film!
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Early in my career at GVSU a professional in the film industry
shared with our class they wished they had taken more business classes
along with their film classes. I took that to heart and minored in
business. This was immensely helpful in understanding the
"business" of show business as well as managing my
freelancing career and personal finances. It also exposed me to
students that had different viewpoints and world perspectives that I
wouldn't have met if I only took film classes. I felt this made me a
more well-rounded person and also more empathetic in general. ALSO,
get an internship!!!! So glad I took that advice and interned for the
Pistons in Auburn Hills in 2004 when they won the championship.
Awesome experience and still looks impressive on my résumé!
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Confidence-building, friendships, hands-on
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I have a great passion to help college students build
professional skills and transition smoothly into the working world and
I am so pleased I get to do that by serving as president on the GVSU
Film and Video Alumni Chapter and through our Alumni Live episodes
that connect students with GVSU Film alumni. Find us on Youtube at
Grand Valley Film & Video Alum or Facebook @AlumniLiveGVFV
February 2021
Interest Area(s)
Film And Video
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