FMS Professional Advisory Board (PAB)


A group of film professionals stand together and pose as a group.

Who are they?

PAB members are KU alums who work in a wide range of film and media industries throughout the nation. They give back to our program by sharing their professional experience, knowledge, and insight with the department.

PAB members meet students through their panels and workshops on topics like casting, visual effects, writing, and more.
Heather Laird conducts a Casting Workshop to show students how to record an audition.

What do they do?

Every year, they come to Lawrence to meet and discuss department curriculum, internships, industry trends, technological innovations, and important funding initiatives to help keep our program relevant and competitive. They also love to connect with our students!

Accordions Heading

The Film and Media Studies Professional Advisory Board will advise and assist the Department of Film and Media Studies with their stated mission of education, research and service by contributing their time, talent and financial support.

The charge of the Advisory Board is to:

  • Advise faculty, staff and students on current and future trends in the industries and on career-related opportunities.
  • Advise faculty and staff on fund-raising efforts and help identify sources of contributed and earned support.
  • Advise faculty and staff on the development, structure and implementation of an internship/mentoring program.
  • Work with faculty and staff to help identify equipment and facility needs.
  • Assist and advise the Department in maintaining effective communication with alumni from the Department of Film and Media Studies.
  • Advise the faculty and students on ways to integrate the practice of film artistry with the humanistic dimension of the field.
  • Offer individual talent and expertise in providing workshops, seminars, and tutorial experience for students in the Department of Film and Media Studies.

Professional Advisory Board Member List

NameProfession
Laura BeasonWriter, American Dad!
Bruce BranitVisual Effects Supervisor, Westworld
Doug CurtisProducer, Cellular
Alex GravesDirector, Game of Thrones
Janae HallTV/Animation Writer, The Owl House, Zokie on Planet Ruby, My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, Batwheels, Wolfboy and the Everything Factory
Ben KroutKey Grip, The Goldbergs
Neil LaButeDirector, Screenwriter, Playwright, Dirty Weekend
Heather LairdCasting Director, Winter's Bone, principal owner of Wright/Laird Casting
John LindenCEO, Mythical Games
Andrew LoosCSO, Attack! Marketing Agency
Christopher D. MartinVisual Effects Supervisor, Netflix
Shawn McClarenProducer, Hallmark Hall of Fame
Arthel McDaniel IIIEntertainment Attorney
Omari MillerSenior Director, Business Development, Smashing Ideas
Jeremy OsbernCinematographer, Red Bird, The Square Root
Ron ParkerWriter, Hatfields & McCoys
Mike Robe, EmeritusDirector, Writer, Producer, Innocent
Sarah RobeField Producer, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Sav RodgersDirector, Chasing Chasing Amy
Tom RookerProducer, Space Cowboys
Marc RoskinDirector, Sleepy Hollow, Geostorm
Stephanie SapienzaMedia Librarian, Archivist, Historian, University of Maryland
Steph ShannonDirector of Major Giving, Kansas City PBS Television Station
Maria SkeelsCasting Producer, High School Musical
Lucas SmithEVP Production & Development, Endgame Entertainment
Tyler SmithHead of Production, North America, TV commercials, online content, documentaries: Intel, Wendys, Coke, Sam's Club, Dicks Sporting Goods, Microsoft, Virgin Voyages
Ben SteinbauerDirector, thebear.us / winnebagoman.com / chopandsteelemovie.com
Scott ThomasWriter, Executive Producer, Raven's Home

 

Expand your Network

Keep an eye on your KU email and the FMS Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts to find out how to interact with them!