DETROIT (WWJ) - In part one of her two-part series, WWJ's Terri Lee spoke with Claire Mildred, an aspiring costume designer, who was selected to participate in the prestigious Television Academy Foundation's Summer Fellowship Program. In part two of her series, Lee introduces us to Brenna Noyes, a 2020 graduate of Wayne State University who majored in film.
Noyes, an aspiring television director, initially pursued studies in Industrial Design. But, she realized during her sophomore year at Wayne State that her true passion lied elsewhere.
"I was always really good at math and science, and I didn't necessarily like it, but I kinda just ... wasn't standing up for myself. I wasn't using my voice yet, and just kinda going with the flow of what I thought people wanted of me," Noyes told Lee.
Her career choice became clear, though, once she took an elective course in television production.
"So, I really just used my voice at that time, and kinda talked to my parents and said this is what I wanna do, and ... it's scary because it's not the most consistent job, but I am passionate about it and it's what I love, and I just want to create, and especially direct; just being able to create that visual language is something that I was so passionate and inspired about."
After learning about the Television Academy Foundation's fellowship, Noyes decided to apply, never really thinking that she would actually get it.
"I never in a million years thought I would actually get picked to be the directing intern of the Television Academy Foundation. I mean that's just an absolutely crazy idea from a girl, a random girl in Detroit, Michigan. It just didn't really seem possible, and so the fact that I even made it to the finals, I was incredibly excited, and I was like all right if that's it, I am totally okay with that."
As part of her fellowship, Noyes participates in professional development webinars with top industry professionals, including Amazon studio and Apple TV+ executives ... and writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood of Love and Basketball fame, as well as a number of other notable industry professionals.
Because of COVID-19, Noyes isn't quite sure when she'll make the move to Los Angeles. But, she and her family are making plans.
"My mom's a little sad because she doesn't want to see me leave Michigan, but ... of course I'll talk to them all the time, and visit, but yes, they're very excited to go out there cause they've never been there before."
You can learn more about Noyes' and see her work by visiting her website here.
Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee
Member:Critics Choice Association African American Film Critics Association SAG-AFTRA