Alumni Profile: Meet Jason Elrod, Editor, MTO Productions Monday, November 24, 2014
Meet Jason Elrod
Degree earned: B.A. in cinema arts, business management minor, 2010
Job title and employer: Editor, MTO Productions in Burbank, Calif.
Hometown: Lansdale, Pa.
Now living in: Burbank, Calif.
High School: North Penn High School
College activities: John P. Harris Society
Hobbies/interests: Football, going to the movies, home brewing
Twitter: @JasonSElrod
IMDb: Jason Elrod
Why did you choose to attend Point Park for your major?
Point Park's cinema program is one of the few in the country that allows you to start handling equipment and shooting films in your first year. That was a huge factor in my decision, but only one of many that led me to apply. Pittsburgh is such a remarkable and beautiful city, I've never been anywhere quite like it.
How did the education and training you received prepare you for your career?
The cinema arts professors did an incredible job of walking us through the production and history of film. They would talk about theories of film and explain the practicalities of working in the industry.
I'm still surprised that what I learned in my four years at Point Park continues to apply to my daily professional life. The people that attend and teach there have played a major role in getting me to where I am today.
What are some of your key job responsibilities?
As the editor for Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin, my daily responsibilities include:
- Looking through and understanding all of the footage. I do this with the help of my assistant editor;
- Meeting daily with the producers to talk through how each episode will be laid out; and
- Editing the episode and working on it through the final audio mix.
Specifically for this show, which needs to fit a 30-minute time slot, we have an average of five to eight hours of footage per episode. From start to finish it takes about four to six weeks before we can deliver the episode to the network to air.
What advice do you have for students considering Point Park's cinema program?
There's something to be said about a program that allows you to be hands on in your first year. Filmmaking is probably the most rewarding application of trial and error you can experience, so being able to start making films (both good and bad) from the very beginning helps you to grow into a better storyteller and artist.
The professors will teach you so much and because of how involved they are with you during your courses, there's a lot they end up learning from you as well, which is extremely unique for any college major.
What are your career goals?
I've been lucky enough to achieve many of my goals since graduating in 2010.
This year I was able to establish my own post-production company, Cinex Studios, here in Los Angeles and my goal over the next few years is to relocate it back to Pittsburgh. My hope is to become involved with the film industry that's growing back in the 'Burgh!
Anything else you would like to add?
Point Park continues to play such a pivotal role in my life. The friends I made there are now my colleagues, many of my professors remain valued mentors, and I even met my wife there, 2010 broadcasting reporting alumna Sarah (Phillips) Elrod.
Point Park University has an invaluable network of alumni across the world. It's one of the things that continue to set it apart from so many other schools. An example of how great of a network it is, another alumnus of Point Park, Joel Kraus (2009), helped me find my first job as an assistant editor with MTO Productions, the company for which I am currently the editor of Ocean Mysteries.
More About: North Penn High School, business management, success story, Cinema Alumni, broadcast reporting, Downtown Pittsburgh, cinema arts, Conservatory Alumni, cinema production