The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the members of the 2022 class of HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP). Conceived to nurture the growth of the industry and elevate talented early-career professionals working in the media content industry, the YEP program has provided support, education, and encouragement to over 100 young professionals to date and has helped foster a diverse next generation of industry professionals.
Determined by application and endorsement, YEP class members are invited to engage in the full spectrum of HPA activities, including the HPA Tech Retreat and HPA Awards, as well as being paired with advanced career mentors in the second half of the year. YEPs network and learn from peers and mentors, beginning with an exclusive YEP event in January.
2022 YEP Class
- Barbara Banda, Netflix
- Eduardo Becerril, Entravision Communications
- Benjamin Cantle, Monster Lighting
- George Diaz, BuzzFeed
- Matthew Klein, Company 3
- Alexa Lowndes, Company 3
- Kathryn Lynyak, Netflix
- Jaxson McLennan, Freelance
- Alexandra Pann, 3BMG Productions
- Alexis Pfeffer, Freelance
- Beatriz Rodriguez, Amazon’s Hunters S2
- Nan Su, Youth Beat
Overseen by the YEP steering committee, the program was conceived by HPA’s Women In Post Committee, led by Kari Grubin and Loren Nielsen. Grubin remarked, “We are delighted to open another year of engagement for this truly talented group. Every year the relationships that form between our YEPs, mentors, and the HPA community inspire growth on all fronts.” The YEPs of past classes have voiced that while mentorship is significant in the program, the building of peer groups is invaluable.
Nielsen noted, “YEPs have built a tremendously supportive professional and peer community. To have a network to which you turn for information and camaraderie is profoundly meaningful. YEP has done that.”
The YEP program is supported by AVID.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More