Real-World Experience on TV Program Reinforced Passion for Career in Entertainment
By Kevin Gonzales, MPMT sophomore
As a Media Production, Management, and Technology (MPMT) sophomore at the UF College of Journalism and Communications, I have had ample opportunities to put what I’ve learned inside the classroom to use in the outside world.
The opportunity that has left the biggest impact on me was working as a production assistant (PA) and leading the student immersion preproduction phase of the Emmy-award-winning show “Flip My Florida Yard.” On Oct. 11, 2024, under the mentorship of MPMT Visiting Lecturer Carlina Williams, I led a crew of passionate UF students with talented productions skills such as camera work, lighting, and sound to help me create an interview with the executive producer of the show, Katie Schroeder, and plan out the preproduction phase over the course of three months.
During the preproduction phase, we ran into issues such as scheduling conflicts, how each student would meaningfully contribute on-set and the fear of a severe storm. After many Zoom calls and careful coordination, we had an eager crew of phenomenal students who were excited to learn and showcase their expertise, including MPMT students Lydia Broward, Danny Burtless, Sebastian Echeverria, Caleb Harris and Eileen Kohner.
On Jan. 29, 2025, the day of the shoot, we were welcomed by Ben Mesker, the director of Flip My Florida Yard, who gave us a brief rundown on the importance of safety and keeping an eye out for one another.
As an MPMT student on the management and strategy track, I instantly gravitated towards the production coordinator, Amanda Morrison, who shared with me the advice she first received when she started her career in the film industry: “It’s all about adapting and knowing how to contribute meaningfully.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of being on set, was being able to immerse myself in multiple roles. I shadowed the producer and the director of the show, worked as a second-camera assistant for the UF interview portion, and even became a landscaper. After 10 hours on set, I saw how everybody contributed to a set, learned on-set lingo, and formed meaningful connections with these industry professionals.
This experience also proved to be very meaningful and helpful for my fellow crewmates, as they were able to focus their attention as a PA in the areas that they were most interested in. Caleb Harris, who is interested in directing, said, “My favorite moment on set was working alongside the director, Ben…he gathered all of the students to ask our opinions for a scene, and he took lots of time to teach us certain production techniques throughout the day.”
Similarly, Eileen Kohner, who oversaw camera work for our interview segment, said that she was surrounded by “amazing people, with amazing talent.” The “Flip my Florida Yard” student immersion proved to be a success! Each student was able to meaningfully contribute to the award-winning show, formed connections, and walked away with new insights.
For me, this experience reinforced why I want to work in the film and entertainment industry: to tell stories that otherwise would have never been told. Since Jan. 29, I have become more confident in my future career and have learned to trust my instincts when opportunities are presented. None of this would have been possible if I had not volunteered to take the lead on this project.
The set day opened my eyes to how important it is that everyone contributes to a project. I want to give a special thanks to Chad Crawford, the creator of “Flip My Florida Yard,” for welcoming us on set and for making this moment an unforgettable one. I would also like to thank UFCJC alumna Stevencia Estime, B.S. MPMT 2024, for assisting on set.
Experiences like these are how students can be prepared to work in an ever-changing field post-graduation and why I am so happy to call myself a Florida Gator!
Posted: February 17, 2025
Category: College News, Profiles
Tagged as: Carina Williams, Flip My Florida Yard, Kevin Gonzalez
