WCA BOARD 2011-2012
CO-CHAIRS (Alumni) - Susan Adele Havens (MFA Production), Genevieve Farrell (BA Production)
Susan Adele Havens was first introduced to filmmaking while obtaining her Bachelor's degree in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance Studies from UCLA. There, she studied Dance for the Camera with choreographer/ filmmaker Victoria Marks and Norah Jones, and documentary filmmaker John Bishop. After graduating, Susan worked as a theatre technician at UCLA's Royce Hall, and freelanced as lighing designer throughout Los Angeles. During this time, she earned a Lester Horton Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design for the dance performance “"Jwala-Flame" by the Angahara Dance Ensemble, as well as a positive review from the LA Times for her work on “Ripper’s Last Log,” a play that chronicled the disturbing final hour of the life of Brandon Vedas as he overdosed live on the internet.
Susan was eventually promoted to Event Manager and Assistant Rental Event Coordinator at UCLA, where she acted as a manager at over 50 events, including the 2007 Asian Excellence Awards and the annual LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books. Ready to move forward with her career, she applied to and was accepted by the renowned USC School of Cinematic Arts. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Film & Television Production, with a focus on film producing. Susan is extremely active in the program; she has produced several award-winning short films and thesis projects, and received the James Bridges Directing Scholarship in 2008. Susan has been on the USC Women of Cinematic Arts Board since 2008.
Genevieve Farrell has been working professionally as an actress since she was ten years old and has worked as a series regular on the Emmy award winning, syndicated TV showZoboomafo, on many commercials and TV movies including a leading role in Disney'sMolly: the American Girl on the Homefront, produced by Julia Roberts. She graduated from high school at age 16 from The Renaissance School in Lanciano, Italy. In May 2010, Genevieve graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California's film production program with a minor in marketing. In addition to acting, she has directed several short films and written a feature. Genevieve is the alumni co-chair of Women of Cinematic Arts.
STUDENT CHAIR - Nicolette Daskalakis
Nicolette Daskalakis is currently pursuing a B.A. in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California. She was born in San Francisco and spent her childhood in the hills of Oakland, CA. As the daughter of a visual artist, she grew up amidst an environment of creativity - always passionate about pursing a creative profession. While attending high school in Davis, CA Nicolette explored radio, print, and video journalism. She was News Editor of her school newspaper as well as News Director of the UC Davis Radio station and soon began applying her journalistic skills to filmmaking through her creation of documentary shorts for community television. When she’s not making films, Nicolette enjoys fencing, photography, French conversations, and sixties music and cinema.
SECRETARY - Lani Amaro
STUDENT TREASURER - Sabrina Siu
STUDENT EVENT CHAIR - Yao Cheng
From Beijing, Yao brings up a very mainstream Chinese point of view and simultaneously, enjoys, observes and learns from American culture. Her double majors in communication (entertainment concentration) and film critical studies enable her a view from both generality, in terms of the general trends of entertainment field, and specification, in terms of every film. She is now the author of Asia Pacific Arts Online Magazine, and writes reviews about Asian films. She is also an editor of "Movie", a film magazine in Beijing. She loves seeing films, especially classical Hollywood films and action films. Her favourite action movie star is Sylvester Stallone.
FRESHMAN REPESENTATIVE - Kirsten Jakob
Freshman representative Kirsten Jakob is currently a freshman Writing for Screen and Television major. She is from Westlake Village, CA. She is interested in pursuing the writing and producing aspects of both film and television. She hopes to make WCA a group in which current students will be able to make connections with women successfully working in the industry, hoping to build a stronger network between the two.
ALUMNI EVENT CO-CHAIRS - Chrissie Weatherup (BA Critical Studies) and Kristen O. Bobst (MFA Screenwriting)
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Christine Weatherup graduated from USC with a triple major in Cinematic Arts, Theatre & Political Science. She is an actress and has performed extensively in film, television, commercials and theater. Chrissie is currently working on a number of new media projects as both actress and producer/creator. She enjoys traveling, cooking and watching full seasons of TV in one sitting.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Kristen O. Bobst graduated summa cum laude in 2005 from the University of Florida with a degree in English. She then enrolled in Trinity College, Dublin earning a Master of Philosophy degree in Anglo-Irish Literature. Kristen recently completed the University of Southern California’s MFA program in Writing for Screen and Television where she honed her skills as a comedy writer. Her blogs Sock Puppet Burlesque and Off-Kilter-Critters showcase her whimsical, off-the-wall humor. In addition, Kristen writes for comediva.com and produces animated web content.
STUDENT PUBLICITY CHAIR - Kayee Au
For as long as she could remember, art has been Kayee Au's ultimate lifelong passion. Ever since she was two, Kayee knew that her dream in life was to become an artist who inspired and encouraged others. Kayee is currently a sophomore studying Animation and Digital Arts at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where she will strive to continue serving her community through her talents. Her goal is to inspire the media and the world in a positive manner through animation. She is currently the Publicity Chair for Women of Cinematic Arts and the Project Coordinator in the animation department of Trojan Vision, USC's student-run television network. When she is not at school she lives at home in North Carolina with her parents, sister, cat, and dog. Kayee enjoys hiking, reading, drawing, painting, movies, and spending time with friends and family.
OUTREACH (Alum) - Joanna Cherensky (MFA Screenwriting)
Two-time Co-Chair of the USC Women of Cinematic Arts Industry Forum, Joanna is a former Alumni Co-Chair (2009-2010) and the current Outreach Coordinator. While at USC, Joanna won The Jay Roach Scholarship Award for best comedy with heart for her short script, MRS. SCHIMOWITZ IN LOVE. She also wrote for the first (and potentially last) comedic high school dating simulation game in the United States, BROOKTOWN HIGH: SENIOR YEAR, for Konami. Since graduation, Joanna worked as a research intern for the acclaimed TV program, MAD MEN and she continues to perform stand-up at The Comedy Store and Three of Clubs. Most recently, Joanna was a finalist for the Fox Diversity Writers Initiative, for her original comedic television pilot, RAISED BY WHITE PEOPLE.
LISTSERV MODERATORS - Karin Schneider and Phoebe Shackeroff WCA CO-FOUNDER - Phoebe Shackeroff
Upon earning her MFA in Film and Television Production from USC SCA, Phoebe co-founded Women of Cinematic Arts in 2005. Serving as Founding Chair of WCA, and continuing in leadership roles ever since, she has overseen the membership growth from 40 to more than 750 in five years. Professionally, Phoebe has been working in film, television, new media, and sustainability for over a decade. Her passion is for media that makes a difference, especially in the areas of science, the environment, and women's issues. A Southern California native, Phoebe holds a BA in Literature from Yale.
WCA EAST COAST CO-CHAIRS - Diane Lisa Johnson and Merva Faddoul
WCA ADVISORY BOARD - Sarah Feeley (MFA Stark), Afnahn Khan (MFA Stark), Phoebe Shackeroff (MFA Production), and Jennie Yamaki (MFA Stark)
Jennie Yamaki is currently pursuing Line Producing and Production Management opportunities. Prior to her freelance work, Jennie Yamaki was the Director of Physical Production at Mandate Pictures from 2005 to 2011. During her six years at Mandate Pictures, she oversaw physical production on Harold & Kumar 3 andLOL. She was also involved in the productions Stranger Than Fiction, Juno, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Whip It, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, as well as Ghost House Pictures’ Drag Me To Hell and served as a co-producer on Boogeyman 2. Before joining Mandate she served as a UPM and Line Producer on independent films, most notably the break-out film Napoleon Dynamite. Yamaki earned an MFA from the University of Southern California’s Peter Stark Producing Program.
FACULTY ADVISOR- Brenda Goodman, Faculty, USC
CO-CHAIRS (Alumni) - Susan Adele Havens (MFA Production), Genevieve Farrell (BA Production)
Susan Adele Havens was first introduced to filmmaking while obtaining her Bachelor's degree in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance Studies from UCLA. There, she studied Dance for the Camera with choreographer/ filmmaker Victoria Marks and Norah Jones, and documentary filmmaker John Bishop. After graduating, Susan worked as a theatre technician at UCLA's Royce Hall, and freelanced as lighing designer throughout Los Angeles. During this time, she earned a Lester Horton Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design for the dance performance “"Jwala-Flame" by the Angahara Dance Ensemble, as well as a positive review from the LA Times for her work on “Ripper’s Last Log,” a play that chronicled the disturbing final hour of the life of Brandon Vedas as he overdosed live on the internet.
Susan was eventually promoted to Event Manager and Assistant Rental Event Coordinator at UCLA, where she acted as a manager at over 50 events, including the 2007 Asian Excellence Awards and the annual LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books. Ready to move forward with her career, she applied to and was accepted by the renowned USC School of Cinematic Arts. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Film & Television Production, with a focus on film producing. Susan is extremely active in the program; she has produced several award-winning short films and thesis projects, and received the James Bridges Directing Scholarship in 2008. Susan has been on the USC Women of Cinematic Arts Board since 2008.
Genevieve Farrell has been working professionally as an actress since she was ten years old and has worked as a series regular on the Emmy award winning, syndicated TV showZoboomafo, on many commercials and TV movies including a leading role in Disney'sMolly: the American Girl on the Homefront, produced by Julia Roberts. She graduated from high school at age 16 from The Renaissance School in Lanciano, Italy. In May 2010, Genevieve graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California's film production program with a minor in marketing. In addition to acting, she has directed several short films and written a feature. Genevieve is the alumni co-chair of Women of Cinematic Arts.
STUDENT CHAIR - Nicolette Daskalakis
Nicolette Daskalakis is currently pursuing a B.A. in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California. She was born in San Francisco and spent her childhood in the hills of Oakland, CA. As the daughter of a visual artist, she grew up amidst an environment of creativity - always passionate about pursing a creative profession. While attending high school in Davis, CA Nicolette explored radio, print, and video journalism. She was News Editor of her school newspaper as well as News Director of the UC Davis Radio station and soon began applying her journalistic skills to filmmaking through her creation of documentary shorts for community television. When she’s not making films, Nicolette enjoys fencing, photography, French conversations, and sixties music and cinema.
SECRETARY - Lani Amaro
STUDENT TREASURER - Sabrina Siu
STUDENT EVENT CHAIR - Yao Cheng
From Beijing, Yao brings up a very mainstream Chinese point of view and simultaneously, enjoys, observes and learns from American culture. Her double majors in communication (entertainment concentration) and film critical studies enable her a view from both generality, in terms of the general trends of entertainment field, and specification, in terms of every film. She is now the author of Asia Pacific Arts Online Magazine, and writes reviews about Asian films. She is also an editor of "Movie", a film magazine in Beijing. She loves seeing films, especially classical Hollywood films and action films. Her favourite action movie star is Sylvester Stallone.
FRESHMAN REPESENTATIVE - Kirsten Jakob
Freshman representative Kirsten Jakob is currently a freshman Writing for Screen and Television major. She is from Westlake Village, CA. She is interested in pursuing the writing and producing aspects of both film and television. She hopes to make WCA a group in which current students will be able to make connections with women successfully working in the industry, hoping to build a stronger network between the two.
ALUMNI EVENT CO-CHAIRS - Chrissie Weatherup (BA Critical Studies) and Kristen O. Bobst (MFA Screenwriting)
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Christine Weatherup graduated from USC with a triple major in Cinematic Arts, Theatre & Political Science. She is an actress and has performed extensively in film, television, commercials and theater. Chrissie is currently working on a number of new media projects as both actress and producer/creator. She enjoys traveling, cooking and watching full seasons of TV in one sitting.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Kristen O. Bobst graduated summa cum laude in 2005 from the University of Florida with a degree in English. She then enrolled in Trinity College, Dublin earning a Master of Philosophy degree in Anglo-Irish Literature. Kristen recently completed the University of Southern California’s MFA program in Writing for Screen and Television where she honed her skills as a comedy writer. Her blogs Sock Puppet Burlesque and Off-Kilter-Critters showcase her whimsical, off-the-wall humor. In addition, Kristen writes for comediva.com and produces animated web content.
STUDENT PUBLICITY CHAIR - Kayee Au
For as long as she could remember, art has been Kayee Au's ultimate lifelong passion. Ever since she was two, Kayee knew that her dream in life was to become an artist who inspired and encouraged others. Kayee is currently a sophomore studying Animation and Digital Arts at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where she will strive to continue serving her community through her talents. Her goal is to inspire the media and the world in a positive manner through animation. She is currently the Publicity Chair for Women of Cinematic Arts and the Project Coordinator in the animation department of Trojan Vision, USC's student-run television network. When she is not at school she lives at home in North Carolina with her parents, sister, cat, and dog. Kayee enjoys hiking, reading, drawing, painting, movies, and spending time with friends and family.
OUTREACH (Alum) - Joanna Cherensky (MFA Screenwriting)
Two-time Co-Chair of the USC Women of Cinematic Arts Industry Forum, Joanna is a former Alumni Co-Chair (2009-2010) and the current Outreach Coordinator. While at USC, Joanna won The Jay Roach Scholarship Award for best comedy with heart for her short script, MRS. SCHIMOWITZ IN LOVE. She also wrote for the first (and potentially last) comedic high school dating simulation game in the United States, BROOKTOWN HIGH: SENIOR YEAR, for Konami. Since graduation, Joanna worked as a research intern for the acclaimed TV program, MAD MEN and she continues to perform stand-up at The Comedy Store and Three of Clubs. Most recently, Joanna was a finalist for the Fox Diversity Writers Initiative, for her original comedic television pilot, RAISED BY WHITE PEOPLE.
LISTSERV MODERATORS - Karin Schneider and Phoebe Shackeroff WCA CO-FOUNDER - Phoebe Shackeroff
Upon earning her MFA in Film and Television Production from USC SCA, Phoebe co-founded Women of Cinematic Arts in 2005. Serving as Founding Chair of WCA, and continuing in leadership roles ever since, she has overseen the membership growth from 40 to more than 750 in five years. Professionally, Phoebe has been working in film, television, new media, and sustainability for over a decade. Her passion is for media that makes a difference, especially in the areas of science, the environment, and women's issues. A Southern California native, Phoebe holds a BA in Literature from Yale.
WCA EAST COAST CO-CHAIRS - Diane Lisa Johnson and Merva Faddoul
WCA ADVISORY BOARD - Sarah Feeley (MFA Stark), Afnahn Khan (MFA Stark), Phoebe Shackeroff (MFA Production), and Jennie Yamaki (MFA Stark)
Jennie Yamaki is currently pursuing Line Producing and Production Management opportunities. Prior to her freelance work, Jennie Yamaki was the Director of Physical Production at Mandate Pictures from 2005 to 2011. During her six years at Mandate Pictures, she oversaw physical production on Harold & Kumar 3 andLOL. She was also involved in the productions Stranger Than Fiction, Juno, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Whip It, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, as well as Ghost House Pictures’ Drag Me To Hell and served as a co-producer on Boogeyman 2. Before joining Mandate she served as a UPM and Line Producer on independent films, most notably the break-out film Napoleon Dynamite. Yamaki earned an MFA from the University of Southern California’s Peter Stark Producing Program.
FACULTY ADVISOR- Brenda Goodman, Faculty, USC
