Haley managed to fit in two internships, explore Ireland and remotely edit a short documentary whilst on her semester abroad at Dublin City University. We chatted with her to find out what helped her to find her passion and what she’s been working on since graduating in January.

By Lauren Valentine

• Name: Haley Hnatuk

• From: Pennsylvania, USA

• Course studied: Double Honours in Media and Communications and Film Studies

• Alumni of: Muhlenberg College, with a semester abroad at Dublin City University

Discovering Ireland and documentary production whilst at Dublin City University

“I was at DCU for one semester as part of my degree and I loved it! The people in my class were amazing and I learned so much. In fact, I became an ambassador for the Dublin programme at my college when I came back to the US. Exploring Ireland was great too - there are so many random daytrips to take. My favourite place to visit was Howth – it’s beautiful! My course mate invited me to her hometown too, so I got to see lots of places. I can’t wait to go back when things calm down a little.

Whilst I was studying at DCU, I finished editing a short documentary called ‘Dos Hermanxs: The Blood of the California Fields’. It’s a non-fiction feature in which Luis Magaña, an immigrant rights organizer, recounts the tragic losses of two indigenous youth from Mexico working in Central Valley vineyards. It’s since been nominated for Best Documentary by DCU Media and Production Society and has been showing at film festivals around the world, from Cork to Texas!”

Gaining industry experience through internships

“I secured an internship as a Media Production Assistant at a company called Event Junkies, where I became admin of their social media. I tracked their analytics, helping them to maximise their social media presence. I edited their ‘Wednesday Wisdom’ videos, as well as helping to set it lighting at shoots. It was awesome! I definitely learned a lot about the production industry, which prepared me for more internships in the US.

My other internship was as a Production Assistant Intern at Motherland. I got to do so many things with them, from shadowing film editing, to casting sessions, to attending commercial shoots! This internship massively developed my post-production skills and familiarised me with different software used in the field.

It was definitely a busy time: I would do my internship until noon and then head back to uni for classes in the afternoon or evening! It was so worth it though and it one hundred percent helped me to get into what I’m doing now.”

Skidmore Storytellers’ Institute’s first student visiting fellow

“I got into a competitive residency programme at Skidmore Storytellers’ Institute. I’m their first visiting student fellow, so it’s a huge honour to be selected. We’re currently working on a documentary called ‘In Love, In Memory’ about a mother who lost her son to gun violence. It’s an amazing opportunity to work with established artists and creatives who can give me advice and critique my work.

I’ll be sad when it ends, but also freer to do my own thing. Fellowships are cool because you get lots of support, but you also have to do additional tasks, like teaching classes, aside from your own work. I’ll still be working on documentaries once the fellowship is over.”

Advice for aspiring film students

“It can seem really impossible when you’re starting out: how do you get experience? How do you learn about it all? How can you make it onto a set? My best advice would be to get internships as early as you can and get a feel for which part of the field you want to go into. At first, I thought I wanted to be a screenwriter, but I realised my true passion is editing.

Also, reach out to people! Connect with people on LinkedIn just to learn from them, it doesn’t have to be in pursuit of a job. You can actually learn a lot more outside of the classroom, whether that’s mixing with people in the field or taking part in clubs and societies. Dublin City University has a Film Society for students – it’s really awesome because they post about interesting events or films on their social media. It gives you ideas about what to get involved in and how to hone your interests.”

Haley feels lucky to have graduated a semester early in January but is still awaiting an in-person ceremony due to the pandemic. “We did a virtual graduation and they sent us a cap and gown. I had an Irish stole to represent my semester abroad. It was bittersweet: I felt proud, but I was missing celebrating with my course mates!”

Want to know more about Haley? Find her on social media:

www.linkedin.com/in/haleyhnatuk

https://www.instagram.com/myownpath_/ 

http://mdocs.skidmore.edu/storytellers/2019-storytellers-institute/2020-visiting-fellows/