UCLA Film Festival — Natasha Blake

Events

My resume reflects my most recent experience, encapsulating my professional experience in the following roles:

Executive Assistant
Event Coordinator
Project Manager

For additional details that may be of interest, I have included further information below, pertaining to my:

Professional Background
Professional Experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Executive Assistant to Vice Chair & Head of Production, UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television, 2008-2011

I was the Festival Coordinator of UCLA’s annual week-long film festival for three years running, hosted at various locations across Los Angeles, including The Director’s Guild of America.

A large component of my job as Festival Coordinator was to draw audiences to festival events and generate positive and engaging impressions of the School through event publicity. I drew upon my previous experiences working at a media agency, to plan and implement a strategic, coordinated, integrated program which would enhance the festival's visibility, solidify its presence as an up-and-coming film festival, and contribute to the college’s overall, renewed communications and branding effort, under the leadership of its new Dean, film producer Teri Schwartz.

While working at UCLA I established corporate and community relationships with organizations such as The Gates Foundation, Mattel, Stella Artois, and Swarovski.

Worked with the faculty coordinator to produce and oversee the end-of-year, multi-venue student film festival, and oversaw ongoing administrative and leadership efforts in support of the festival throughout the year.

Departmental Film Festival Leadership Duties

Served as Festival Coordinator for the annual student film festival, a high-profile, multi-venue showcase of student creative work. Organized on an ongoing basis the preparation and planning of all aspects of this end of year festival. Monitored and tracked all budgetary expenditures (approximately $75,000 from multiple fund sources).

Lead the festival committee meetings with student representatives and faculty leadership. Trained and monitored participants to utilize the online aspects of the festival, including the submission of films, trailers and promotional materials for inclusion in festival publications and the festival website. Liaised with the IT Department on updates to the festival website and online reservation system. Worked closely with the Dean’s office staff on the coordination and interface with high-profile honorees.

Hired and supervised student festival coordinators and provided guidance for their support of festival operations.

Directed and coordinated the students in seeking on-campus grants for the festival, throughout the academic year.

Supervised all written communications from festival student representatives to ensure accuracy. Ensured that all printed and press materials were approved by the school’s Director of Marketing. Managed logistics of film screenings, events, meetings, the blue-ribbon judging process, etc. Answered questions; followed up with participants to monitor compliance with important festival deadlines.

Arranged honoraria and payments to all relevant vendors, working with the business office staff. Made arrangements with the several venues and professional organizations (Writers Guild, Directors Guild of America, and Producers Guild). Communicated with presenters about availability, catering, and parking for all venues, including the Blue Ribbon judging panel.

Department Support Duties

Worked on special projects under the supervision of the MSO (Management Services Officer).

Assisted in department-wide database and other departmental data-gathering efforts.