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Jennifer Sakurada
Hometown:
Denver, Colorado
Class:
2000
Major:
Economics for Business and Management (minor in Russian)
Position:
Director of Distribution, Myriad Pictures (June 2005-present)
With offices in Santa Monica, Myriad Pictures is involved in the financing, production and worldwide sales of major motion pictures and television programming. Since its opening in 1998, Myriad has produced or represented more than 30 feature films including THE GOOD GIRL starring Jennifer Aniston, released in the US by Fox Searchlight, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VAN WILDER released via Artisan Entertainment, PEOPLE I KNOW starring Al Pacino, released through Miramax, JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 that opened at No.1 at the US box office when released by MGM/UA in 2003 and the critically acclaimed KINSEY released by Fox Searchlight.
After working previously at 2 other independent film companies and in the Entertainment Division at Comerica Bank, I obtained the position at Myriad as the Director of Distribution in June 2005. The position entails working closely with our international distributors to invoice, collect payments, complete necessary tax documents needed for different countries, organize delivery of marketing and release material and drafting deal memos for each of the deals. I also work closely with the CFO and accounting department in reporting and record keeping of the accounts receivables and financing with our bank, producers and investors. My favorite part of the job is attending film festivals around the world where we meet with all our distributors and sell our new films. In May 2005, I attended the Cannes Film Festival for the first time and had a wonderful experience. The only part of working in this industry that can be a challenge is working with some difficult personalities, which the industry is known for. Although, I believe that if you know what to expect, then it is easier to deal with. I feel fortunate to have found a company where this is not an issue.
A position similar to this in the film industry is best suited for a person who enjoys movies and working with people. Anyone who likes the international side of business would love this job, especially traveling and meeting people from every area of the globe. The best way to prepare for this type of job at Oxy would be to take a foreign language or two, definitely take the international economics courses and managerial economics class, and the most important thing to do would be to get an internship at a film company during college. Paid or for credit, an internship is the best and frequently one of the only, ways to get a start in the industry. Any film classes would be helpful as well, although I did not take any myself.
For more information, e-mail Jennifer at sakurada@pacbell.net
December 2, 2005