Joseph Hushek

Major: Communication Arts (Radio-TV-Film)

Certificates: Digital Studies & Computer Sciences

Graduation Date: May 2018

How did you end up working at Warner Brothers?

After graduating I had an incredible internship working at CBS with Kelly Kahl. From there, I used the relationships I made and my proven work ethic to land a job as an assistant in CBS’s current programming department. I worked there for a number of years before transitioning to a development coordinator role at Captivate Entertainment, a small production company known for producing the Jason Bourne franchise. A connection I made during my days at CBS knew I was interested in writing for TV and put me in touch with my current boss, Tara Hernandez. I’ve been in this role now for six months.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

Each day varies widely depending on if we’re writing (working in the writers room), in production (working on set), or in post (working in the editing bay), but my primary job is to help my boss make the best show possible. This could mean talking through ideas, coordinating meetings, or giving notes on scripts, edits, marketing plans, etc. A large part of the job is being prepared for anything so that I can help creatively solve all the miscellaneous challenges that arise on any given day.

Mrs. Davis is a Peacock show about a nun who goes on a quest to destroy an all powerful artificial intelligence (it’s just as wild as it sounds). As the head creative force behind the show, my boss is making hundreds of decisions each day. To ensure things run as smoothly as possible, I have to be in sync with her vision so I can take some of the easier decisions off her plate, as well as streamline the more difficult decisions, providing all the relevant information she needs to craft a great show.

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

I always knew I wanted to be involved in a creative field, but I was also fascinated by science and technology. Digital studies showed me just how closely these fields are intertwined, and helped me understand the tools and techniques necessary to create a wide variety of artworks.

These days nearly everything has at least some digital component, so having an understanding of a variety of digital tools is extremely useful. Aside from the TV writing/production skills that I use daily, there are a number of additional digital tools that I continue to use for projects both personal and professional. I use screenwriting software nearly everyday for writing projects, use my understanding of video editing software to assist in post production, and use digital design software frequently to craft series lookbooks, mock posters, and invites to events.

Did you have a favorite Digital Studies class when you were a student?

Art 107: Introduction to Digital Forms. This class provided a fantastic introduction to digital drawing, photography, web design, 3D modeling, image editing, and more. It was a great way to learn the basics of a number of digital tools and see how they can be used to create a wide variety of things.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Take time to explore the things you’re interested in, even if there doesn’t seem to be any clear end goal. This makes you a more interesting and well rounded person, and you never know where something might lead. My junior year I knew I wanted to work in TV, but I was still interested in computer science, specifically AI, so I took an AI class, and now I happen to work on a show that deals heavily with AI, so that seemingly random knowledge is now incredibly relevant! College is such an incredible time to explore a wide variety of interests and hobbies, take advantage of it!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career thus far?

Last summer I wrote a script that was one of the winners of The Hollywood Climate Summit’s Pitchfest competition. It was great to be recognized for my writing, and allowed me to make a number of great connections in both the environmentalism and entertainment industries.