SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Angela Cartnal (BA, Video Production, 2003) works as production coordinator for Fuse Networks LLC in New York.



SCAN: How did you land your job?
Angela Cartnal: I landed my job at Fuse once I finished working on another television series called “Dwell” that aired on the Fine Living Network. The “Dwell” series was coming to an end when I received the call from Fuse to come and start working for them.

SCAN: When did you realize this was the career for you?
AC: I realized that I wanted to get into the production management side of television production while I was working at Dwell. However, once I came to Fuse, I knew that I really wanted to stick with production management.

My job at Fuse consist of organizing shoots both inside and outside of studio including booking crews, securing locations and seeing that the overall production is going smoothly. The most exciting part of my job is working with bands when we have performances in the studio. When this happens I am in constant contact with the bands’ tour managers so I can work out all of the equipment and technical issues to ensure that the bands have everything they need. On the day of the show I am in the studio all day from load-in to load-out. I make sure the day stays on schedule and we do not go into ovetime. Some bands I have worked with are: Green Day, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, 30 Seconds to Mars, My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte and many, many more.

SCAN: What’s the best way to prepare for an interview?
AC: When preparing for an interview I would make sure to know as much information as possible about the television network, television show, or genre of television you are applying for. Employers will ask you what you think and what your opinion is about their network, show, or genre. Also be passionate about your work, employers do not want to hire a person that is not thrilled to work in the television industry or not willing to put in the long hours that are required for this industry.

SCAN: Any advice for those looking for a job?
AC: My advice would be to be persistent and keep applying. Also, if you have contacts in the industry you want to work in, use them. Especially in the television business, it is all about who you know.



SCAN: What classes taught you the most about your chosen industry?
AC: All of the video classes at Webster give you a good foundation for the television industry. However, what prepared me most for my job was working on the on campus television station GTV. When I was at Webster the television station was just getting started and being part of the start up process was definitely the best real world experience I received. If you are interested in television, get involved with the station and their remote productions.

SCAN: Best on-the-job experience so far?
AC: I have been lucky to have several best on-the-job experiences! The first is when I worked for the MTV Network, Tempo. They flew me down to St. Kitts and Nevis to work on their Caribbean launch event as a talent coordinator. I also had the opportunity to work on the Country Music Awards and New Year’s Eve at Times Square as a talent escort. However, the most exciting experience so far was attending the Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man’s Chest Red Carpet at Disneyland. I was able to meet Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom!

SCAN: Worst on-the-job experience so far?
AC: My worst job experience so far was when I was working in Nevis and some of our crew members’ rooms were broken into on our last night. We were rushed off the island to St. Kitts by a chartered boat in the middle of the night until we were able to catch our chartered flight back to the U.S. I was never so excited to get back to the U.S. in my life!

SCAN: Company you’d love to work for?
AC: I would love to line produce major awards shows. The energy you feel working on big events like that is absolutely amazing.

SCAN: What Web site do you visit just to kill time?
AC: The Web site I visit most on my free time is probably MySpace.

SCAN: What’s on your desk right now?
AC: A disco ball, a lava lamp, pictures, TV, DVD Player, binders, and other little knick knacks.

SCAN: Favorite fringe benefit of your job?
AC: My favorite fringe benefit is meeting celebrities and seeing lots of live music.

SCAN: Is your current salary more or less than you expected to be making at this point?
AC: I think that my current salary is more than I thought I would be making now. However, for my position it is the standard rate in the television business.

SCAN: What’s on your iPod?
AC: Since I live in NYC I do not go anywhere without my iPod. Also, working at a music channel gives me access to all kinds of different music: Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, Country … you name it, I probably have it on my iPod.

SCAN: What do you plan to do on your next paid vacation day?
AC: Relax and continue to plan my wedding.

SCAN: Things you miss most about Webster?
AC: The thing I miss most is swimming on the swim team. We always had a blast, whether we were at practice or at a swim meet.

Did you just land a job in your field? E-mail scan@webster.edu and tell us about it.

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• Words from the Dean

• Julie Clark ’01
  Advertising
  and Marketing
  Communications

• The Film Must Go On: Webster Senior Rises
  to the Challenges of Producing a Film Abroad
• On Air: Student-Run Radio Station Returns

• Angela Cartnal ’03
  Video Production
• Kevin Niemeier ’03
  Broadcast Journalism
• Roberto Salas ’06
  Advertising and
  Marketing Communications

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