Alumni
Hundreds of Orange Television Network alumni now work in the industry – and it all started when they wrote, hosted, produced or edited some of your favorite OTN TV shows.
Here’s what they had to say about their time with the network:
“OTN gave me the professional experience to help launch my career. But more importantly, it gave me a community from the moment I stepped on campus. I was fortunate to meet and work with people from all different backgrounds. It was collaborative. It was educational. And bottom line, it was fun. I will always treasure my time at OTN.”
“The most important thing I could say about OTN would be that it allowed me a place to go and create. OTN allowed me a sandbox where I could attempt to do it all. More importantly, OTN provided a peer group and also an advisor that believed in me and worked with me to help make my visions a reality. I said there was a project I wanted to do and, more or less, OTN gave me the tools and said “get to work.” It was awesome.”
“OTN not only served as a creative outlet for me but as a testing ground where I was able to take what was learned in the classroom and apply it practically whether that be production, development or programming. My experiences taught me early lessons in leadership and the organization lead to countless fun memories and friendships. OTN was among my favorite experiences at SU!”
Alumni spotlights
Class of 2020
Allegra Craver
Allegra Craver is a New Jersey native who, after graduating from Syracuse, made the move to sunny California. After hopping around different positions in the entertainment industry, Allegra landed at CAA in the Books Department, working in her dream role in the Motion Picture Book Rights space. Outside of work, Allegra is a published author with two novels on Amazon, both set in a fictionalized version of her alma mater. She can be found on the beach with her friends, trying a new sushi spot, or playing with her cat, Nala.
Class of 2019
Josh Feinblatt
Josh Feinblatt is the co-creator of “Live From Studio B,” also acting as the show’s Executive Producer, Head Writer, and (as a last resort) one time host. Before bleeding orange at Syracuse, Josh grew up in West Orange, NJ, but now resides in Los Angeles, CA where he is working to become a comedy writer in TV or late night. Josh began his career working at 3 Arts Entertainment for two managers, and now works as an assistant to writer/directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein – most recently on the upcoming film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Class of 2021
Mackenzie Sammeth
Mackenzie Sammeth is a 2021 Grad of Newhouse’s Television, Radio, and Film program. She is currently working for Literary and Talent Management Company 3 Arts Entertainment as an Assistant to a TV & Film Literary Manager and Producer. Previously, Mackenzie worked as a Production Assistant at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and interned for Sesame Workshop, The Producer’s Guild of America, NBCUniversal, ABC News and Voltage Pictures. She joined “Live From Studio B” her first day on campus as a Writer & Correspondent and worked her way up to being the Showrunner & Executive Producer. She is originally from the suburbs of Chicago and since graduation has made the move out to Hollywood.
Former OTN staff, where are they now?
- Courtney Kolloff, Freelance Producer LA
- Alyssa Vindigni, Marketing Coordinator@ Rubik Marketing NYC
- Mandy Leef, Account Director at com Score, Inc. NYC
- Michael Eassa, Field Producer LA
- Aaron Frank, Medical School tbd
- Emily Bailey, Assistant Colorist@ Company3 NYC
- Monica De Stefano, Animatic Editor at Nickelodeon LA
- Tonya Bauer, Associate Producer at NBC Nightly News NYC
- John Fontenelli, Podcast Producer@ UNINTERRUPTED LA
- Brent Barbano, Co-owner-Share Grid & Director of Photography LA
- Lizzie Morrison, Global Editorial Creative Lead@ Airbnb San Francisco
- Nora Rappaport, Founder/Owner Nora Rappaport Productions Washington, DC
- Tim Haynes, Production Supervisor@ Barclays Center NYC
- Deb Cohen, Assistant Editor at The Twilight Zone LA
- Andrew Graham, Agent@ Creative Artists Agency LA
- Josh Cregg, Freelance Video Editor LA
- Josh Miller, DirectorofPhotographyatjoshuamiller.tv Bend, OR
- Melissa Wanczyk, Special Education Teacher Philadelphia, PA
- Steve Andress, Producer@ Radio.Com SPORTS Miami, FL
- Charlottle Lipman, Research Director@ MediaVillage.com NYC
- Vin Nucatola, Producer at Thrillist NYC
- Rachael Datello, Line Producer at Mattel LA
- Skylar Andrews, Producer LA
- Jillian Davis, Mgr. Creative Operations@ Frolic Media LA
- Nicole De Grandpre, Production Assistant@ NESN Boston
- Mark Zito, Senior Mgr. Events & Talent Relations@ Sirius XM NYC
- Stacey Lange, Reporter at WNEP-TV Scranton, PA
- Nena Garga, Business Development Director@ B&L Wealth Tampa, FL
- John Zinni, Training Specialist@ Netflix LA
- Jessica Budde, Internet Marketer@ Cypress North Buffalo, NY
- Jennings Crupi, Assistant Manager@ New York Road Runners NYC
- Holly Zahn, Donor Relations Coord. Athleticsat Syracuse U, Syracuse
- Samantha Hayden, Senior Consultant Interbrand Singapore
- Sydney Lampe, ProduceratFox5 San Diego, CA
- Jay Bungay, Producer/Editor NYC
- Sim Hothi, Assistant 3 Arts Entertainment LA
- Micki Fahner, Associate Producer NBC News NYC
- Alyssa Henry Gonzalez, Sr. Director Work place Engineering@ CBS NYC
- Mackenzie Gabriel-Vaught, Vice President–Chuck Lorre Productions LA
- Jennifer Wynkoop, Post Producer@ The Motor Trend Group LA
- Jessica Peters, Producer at WXIN-TV Indianapolis, IN
- Tim Wright, Assistant Editor at American Idol LA
- Eileen Spath, Marketing/Communications @ Catholic Charities Albany, NY
- Stephanie Mindock, Production Assistant@ Patriot League Baltimore
- Lindsey Dixon, Manager of Operations @ Amazon.com NYC
- Cate Conroy, Content Strategist @ Critical Mass Cupertino, CA
- Shaina Rosenthal, Story Producer@ Pie Town Productions LA
- Eugene Kolb, Animator/Designer NYC
- Alex Wentworth, Director of Photography LA
- Juan Rangel, Operations Coordinator @ Herzog & Co. LA
- Jon Mason, Co-founder & CEO@ Hotspring VFX NYC
- Elisha McGinnis, Associate@ Morgan Stanley NYC
- Charlotte Balogh, Development Coord.@ Mad Ghost Productions LA
- Cori Rosen, Coordinator Corporate Affairs@ HBO NYC
- Catherine Witherspoon, Communications Specialist @Emory Global Health Atlanta
- Cassie DiLaura, Co-host/Prod. ET Live@ Entertainment Tonight LA
- Kadisha Phillips, Social Media Manager@ GLOW NYC
- LaQuin Alexander, Asst. Prod Coordinator@ Hasan Minhaj NYC
- Kelly O’Neill, Reporter@ KNWA/Fox24 Fayetteville,AR
- Nicki Jones, Color Analyst@ Drexel University Philadelphia
- Rebecca Raichek, Talent Assistant@ Paradigm Talent Agency LA
- Saumya Vasuthevan, Cultural Insights Analyst@ A+ENetworks NYC
- Lindsay Wolfson, Researcher@ TODAY Show NYC
- Ellen Burr, External Communications@ PwC Chicago
- Rebecca Thornburg, Multi Media Journalist@ WKBW-TV Buffalo,NY
- Samantha Kandell, Video/Digital Producer@ iHeartRadio NYC
- Torie Wells, Anchor WRGB-TV Albany,NY
- Chris Sechler, Office Coordinator@ CBS NYC
- Darian Ruderman, ESPN Production Assistant Bristol,CT
- Kelly Lansing, Disney Channel Current Series/Multi-Platform LA
- Nick Ferreiro, Director of Photography LA
- Kaitlyn Decker, Asst Media Planner@ Mullen Lowe Media LA
- Bari Yorke, Associate@ CAA NYC
- Tara Lanigan, Broadcast Associate@ MLB Network NYC
- Juwan Thompson, Associate Manager@ Proctor&Gamble Cincinnati,OH