Where open doors lead
Alumna explores academic options, finds her niche, an internship and a job
By Angela Riddel
When Eva Noria (A/L, ’18) enrolled at The University of Toledo, she let her curiosity, her love of learning and a willingness to explore help guide her undergraduate experiences and her life beyond college. Noria’s professors in the Department of Theatre and Film provided encouragement and challenged her to be the best film student she could be.
Originally, Noria planned to use a scholarship to study exercise science and become an athletic trainer, but she changed direction when she discovered her heart was in the arts. She switched her major to film and chose a minor in communication. That decision would prove to be auspicious.
In 2017, Noria landed an internship in New York with Running Man, a post-production company. Impressed with her energy, work ethic and skill, the company offered her a job as a post-production assistant upon graduation. Running Man serves a clientele that includes shows for Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime, TBS, CBS, IFC, and many others. Noria organizes, reviews and updates continuity on works in production and collects contracts for the voice talent for off-screen parts.
She credits her success with Running Man to the Theatre and Film faculty who urged her to think more creatively and examine her work critically. She remembers, in particular, Tammy Kinsey, professor of film, pushing her to give her best. “She wanted you to be engaged and to know that anything, no matter how small, counts. You have to be able to take criticism, and if you’re able to take it, then you’re going to do well.”
Professor Matt Yockey also was instrumental in her success. “He always gave us so much work, but it was really helpful. I learned so much from him,” says Noria. Holly Hey, professor of film and the head of UToledo’s film program, helped Noria perfect her editing skills. Hey also was a source for encouragement. “She noticed whenever I was feeling down,” says Noria, “and she was there for me. All the professors are there for you, for anything.”
Noria flourished, and as a result she was invited to participate in the Klar Leadership Academy offered through the College of Business and Innovation. Students invited to the academy are drawn from all undergraduate majors at the University. Noria also took advantage of a trip to China to study the country’s arts culture while documenting those experiences on film.
Her advice to new students is to take advantage of what UToledo has to offer. “Get out of the dorm, get involved, meet people, join organizations. I got involved in getting any kind of experience I could. When you make connections and meet new people, they can help you and give you all kinds of opportunities.”
Noria has her sights set on becoming a post-production coordinator and then working toward producing for a variety of projects within the industry. She adds that her experiences as a UToledo student and the faculty who taught her have helped her grow as a person. “I thank them for giving me a door so I could slip in and see where it takes me.”
