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Alumni Spotlight: Sahil Yadav

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Summer 2023 was a busy one for CEP but we are back with an alumni update! (By the way, from May to September, we had over sixty exchange visitors come to the U.S. to start their programs! Wow!)

Alright, now on to the blog: today we are excited to introduce Sahil Yadav, an animator and digital artist from India, who completed his J-1 scholar program as an Artist in Residence at the Experimentally Structured Museum of Art (ESMoA). ESMoA serves as an experimental artistic center in the South Bay and greater Los Angeles areas, encouraging locals to reimagine what art programming and art spaces can look like.

Even though Sahil’s program was only two months long, he was able to participate in plenty of events and activities. He taught three “Just Draw 2-D Effects” workshops and led three animation classes at a local middle school. At the end of his residency, ESMoA held an open studio showcase to share all the work he created throughout the residency.

Keep scrolling to find out more about Sahil’s wonderful experience in LA, as he explored animation in the birthplace of Hollywood.

Can you tell us about some of the activities and responsibilities you had during your program?

During my stay [at ESMoA], I conducted a number of events which included:

  • Three “Just Draw” Sessions where l taught the participants about 2DFX sketches from basic to intermediate level and worked out water 2DFX animations.
  • Three classes for the students of El Segundo Middle School. We discussed what is animation, what are its types, and how we make one. They worked out their water drop flipbook animation which was followed by a little animation of their own.
  • An open studio event, where I presented my learnings, journey, and an exclusive animation made for the organization.

Sounds fascinating! How did the residency influence your communication skills as an artist?

My communication skills have been greatly influenced in a positive manner. Being able to communicate is a major milestone for an artist whether it is through art or vocal form. I learned how to break down things that are easily digestible for a participant or a viewer. Along with the enhancement in my teaching skills, I learned about American culture and art and that has greatly affected my broad view and understanding.

What did you learn about American culture, design, and arts?

American culture is vast and influential. I was exposed to animation studios, original art pieces, by specifically Disney. It presented me with how they were motivated to bring the animation wave, even with restricted resources. My visit to museums exposed me to beautifully crafted storyboards and character designs. I learned about how to bring character into an inanimate object just by manipulating flow and volume. I felt motivated and moved by my visit to the Academy Museum.

Sahil also kept busy by visiting lots of museums and cultural organizations with his peers and new friends! Eva Sweeney, Co-Founder and Director of ESMoA and Sahil’s supervisor, said: 

Each week was filled with visits to different cultural art and science institutions, including LACMA, The Academy Museum, The Natural History Museum, and The Science Center, and the Long Beach Aquarium. We even had the pleasure of taking him with our team to Frieze LA, where he got to see exhibitions from LA’s top arts galleries. Sometimes he would attend these cultural activities by himself or with our staff, while other times he would make friends from his “Just Draw” sessions, who would take him to art openings around the greater LA area.

Any last thoughts you’d like to share?

My supervisor and colleagues were immensely helpful during my stay and in the execution of assignments. They were able to guide me and help me clear my thoughts to take an idea from raw form to the final presentation. They helped me by providing all the necessary resources and conducting the teaching sessions smoothly. My host environment was the best experience for me. They were really helpful and provided more than needed. I am happy that I got to know them.

Thank you Sahil and ESMoA! 

Want to share your own J-1 experience with us? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us here.

Alumni Spotlight: Rory Diamond

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We are extremely excited to highlight our J-1 alum., Rory Diamond, from Canada. During his program at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles, Rory gained hands-on television writing experience in the Writers’ Room of the hit show, The Good Doctor. He also found time to experience life in California to the fullest by going to concerts, sporting events, and learning to surf!  He is now working as a Script Coordinator for The Good Doctor in Canada. Keep reading to join his wonderful journey in Hollywood!

 

What impact has your J-1 experience had on your life and your career?
I got to live in the city where the heart of my industry is, which not only was a dazzling life experience, but an eye-opening step in my career. I am now fully trained and able to Script Coordinate, a unique and valuable skillset, which grants access to the fabled Writers’ Room. I’m currently exploring ways to do it in Toronto for other Canadian shows. Not only has this allowed me to continue working on The Good Doctor from Canada, but also has opened many doors and created connections of which the value is difficult to measure.

What is your favorite memory from your J-1 program?
My favourite memory was of my first day being in the Writers’ Room. Just walking in and seeing the whiteboards covered in chicken scratch that may or may not be seen by millions of viewers. The free lunches, the coffee runs, the nervousness of speaking up, and the incredible feeling when something lands. By all accounts, deciding to be a TV writer is a silly decision, but in the Writers’ Room, those doubts seemed to melt into a warm sense of validation that I hold close to my heart.

What were some of your favorite cultural activities to do Los Angeles?
Eat delicious food and see amazing comedy and music. And if I could do both of those in one night, which was something I did often, I was a very happy boy. I loved living in Los Angeles. I saw my favorite band, Phish, play at The Forum, which is a classic venue I’ve always wanted to go to, which was a great experience. I did a lot of hiking, which you can’t really do in Toronto.

What advice can you offer to future exchange visitors coming to the United States?
Rent a furnished apartment if you can, to avoid the trouble of purchasing a bunch of furniture off Facebook Marketplace and then having to sell it all on Facebook Marketplace a year later. Sign up for classes and meet people. Go to as many networking things as possible; make connections that will help you in the future, wherever you end up. Take advantage of the unique things your city has to offer. Hike, bike, eat, and have fun.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?
It’s the true definition of a win-win. It makes me happy and gives me hope that two countries can work together to provide such a wonderful program and experience for their constituents. I think anyone who is able to endeavor this experience would be better off for it.

Any last thoughts?
At this point, I think I could thrive in any Canadian Writers’ Room and I don’t know if that would have been the case a year ago. [The exchange] was an amazing experience.

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Rory!

Looking for a place to get started with your own exchange program? Check out our website to explore different fields or explore different cities!

Exploring Interior Design with Courtney

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A few months ago, we visited our exchange visitor, Courtney, at his interior design internship with Janine Dowling Design, Inc. in Boston! Courtney is a university student from the U.K. and completing an internship abroad is a requirement for graduation. This experience has provided him with hand-on work experience and a new cultural perception. Read on to learn about Courtney’s journey!

What have you been doing here at work? What are some projects you’ve been working on?

At this moment, I work on 6 projects exclusively with Janine, which was been great. I love working on this project in Connecticut. It’s such a fun project; the couple loves more of a modern aesthetic. They have a beautiful house and the color scheme and style matches my own so it’s been fun to work on. I probably gave the most input, design-wise, on that project. It’s currently wrapping up so I’m seeing the work that I did back in January come to life so that’ been very exciting.

What have you learned so far that you would not have had the chance to learn otherwise?

The main thing I’ve learned is something you can’t learn in school, which is the people side of things. Some clients say yes to everything and trust you completely; they give you reigns. Some clients are particular. You really have to know them to understand [their style]. Janine’s been teaching me how to funnel what you think is best for a client through a conversation with them. She’s been really happy with the progress that we’ve made. She’s a great boss.

 

What have you learned about the arts, design, and/or culture in America?

Throughout my time in the United States, I have visited a range of different art galleries including the Harvard art gallery, MOMA in New York City, The Museum of fine arts Boston, and the ICA Boston, and taken part in a variety of cultural activities. From this I have learned that American culture has a diverse culture with more history than I first thought.

Your program was originally 6 months long, but you’ve chosen to extend it for a full year. Can you tell us why?

What I didn’t realize is how long it takes for a project to come to life. A couch, for example, can take up to 12 to 13 months to be developed because of Covid-19. Usually, it’s 8 to 9 months. I’m not going to see any progress within the next two to three months on a lot of the projects I’m working on, especially right now, so I decided to extend. Janine asked me to stay on and I wanted to see my creations come to life.

Craving an awesome exchange experience like Courtney’s? Send us an email for more information!

Radio Reporting with Violette

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Welcome back to another exchange visitor profile! Today, we catch up with Violette, a J-1 intern from France who is completing her program at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, CA. Back in France, Violette is a journalism student at Sciences Po Rennes so her background in communications makes her a great fit for the KPFA team!

What are your day to day activities like?

Every morning I am assigned a story/event to cover in SF with the press release related to it. I prepare my interview questions and do some background research to get the context of the story. Then I go on the field, I record ambiance, statements and interview several people. I also take some pictures for [our] social media. Afterwards I go back to the radio station to write my script, edit the sound clips and send it to my editor for correction.

What kind of events do you report on?

I mainly work on social and political current events. The nature of the event can be very different depending on the topic. I’ve covered a rally to protest against a hospital closure, political meetings (city council of Berkeley, S.F. Board of Supervisors), and a protest to defend women’s reproductive rights. Sometimes I also work remotely in the radio station to cover political events that take place in Washington D.C.

What have you learned from your exchange program so far about American life and culture?

Field reporting is a great opportunity to learn about American culture and civilization! As an example, when I attend a political event, like the Board of Supervisors meeting, I learn a lot about the working of the American political system, which is really complex and so different from our French one. From a sociological point of view, protest and rallies are also a good occasion to understand what is at stake at the local level in San Francisco like homeless and affordable housing issues, gun violence, and racial inequalities. I was particularly surprised about the way the Silicon Valley and the tech culture impact the socioeconomic inequalities in the area.

How has this experience helped your English speaking skills so far?

I have to practice my written and spoken English every single day. I can write a news script in English. I have improved my ability to understand oral and written English without using a translation or extra help. My final goal would be to be able to record myself on my own report with a good English pronunciation.

We love hearing about our exchange visitor’s wonderful experiences. If you are an IA&A exchange visitor and would like to chat with us about your program, please send us an email!

Growing as an Artist Through Cultural Exchange

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Welcome back to our first blog in…a while! Did you miss us? We’d like to welcome you back with a spotlight post on research scholar, Patrick Quarm. Originally from Ghana, Patrick is exploring his creativity and learning about personal development as a Studio Fellow at NXTHVN in New Haven, CT.

Founded in 2018, NXTHVN is a groundbreaking institution that combines the best of arts and entrepreneurship. Through access, education, programming and impact investing, NXTHVN launches the careers of artists and curators and strengthens the livelihood of its local community. Cornerstone programs include its renowned fellowship to educate and accelerate emerging and underrepresented artists, paid arts apprenticeships for local teens and business incubation to nurture cultural and capital value in the neighborhood.

Here’s what Patrick had to say about his program so far!

Can you tell us about some of your responsibilities and duties at NXTHVN?

Part of the program requirement is being in the studio and working on paintings that are connected to my current and ongoing research about social evolution and hybrid theory. I am required to be present for seminars organized with professionals to teach us about the art world and how to navigate it as a young and upcoming artist. I have been assigned an apprentice who I mentor and meet with twice a week for 3 hours. Working with an apprentice, teaching and mentoring, has been one of the best responsibilities of the program.

What are some new skills you are learning?

The program allows me to have the freedom to create what I am interested in as an artist and gives me the freedom to experiment with ideas, tools, and materials. I have gained a lot through the professional development seminars and discussions [like] the art of negotiating with a potential gallery interested in working with me, being able to talk about my work intellectually, and write a good artist statement.

What is your final goal for your program?

At the end of the year, my main goal is to see my work develop [and] gain access to galleries, collectors, and museums. Through these institutions, an artist is able to build his career. It’s been such a great experience and I am looking forward to learning more before the end of the program.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Patrick!