Cinema Arts Alumna Heidi Ward Wins Emmy Alumni Profile
Meet Heidi (Schlegel) Ward
- Job Title & Employer
- Director, Community and Summer Education, Point Park University
- Major/Program
- Cinema Production
- Minor
- Business Management
- Graduation
- May 2013
- Hometown
- Denver, Pa.
- High School
- Cocalico High School
- Now Living In
- Los Angeles, Calif.
"The biggest trait I incorporate into real life is hard work. If you want to get an A on a project, you'll have to work harder, smarter and be more efficient. The same is true for my career. You just have to work harder than the rest. Persistence and positivity are my secrets to succeeding in the crazy entertainment world."
You recently won an Emmy. Tell us all about it.
What a small victory it was to win an Emmy! I was working for Tremendous Entertainment as a cooking segment producer for NBC's Naturally, Danny Seo.
I am a freelancer in Los Angeles and was hired for the length of the shoot (approximately two months). I usually freelance as a culinary producer and/or culinary coordinator. A dedicated team and I produced more than 60 plant-based recipes and healthy quick-tip segments last summer. Naturally features the lifestyle expert Danny Seo and is a part of educational/informational programming airing on Saturday mornings. The show was nominated by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and won an Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Program for season two.
Myself, along with eight other producers, were eligible to order an Emmy. I feel honored to have been chosen by my peers and look forward to future opportunities this may present. I mean, come on, how many young professionals win an Emmy! The statue is huge, weighing just over seven pounds — and yes, I put it on the scale!
What are some of the career opportunities you had since graduating from Point Park?
I've had so many job opportunities since graduating from Point Park, some of which include Fox, Netflix, NBC and E!. I've spent the past two years working on cooking/food shows (with Gordon Ramsay) that ultimately got me where I am today!
I am currently back with Naturally, Danny Seo (how ironic, right?) for season three. I will once again be their cooking segment producer, except this time we are filming on location in Chattahoochee Hills, Ga.
How do you incorporate the skills you learned in your cinema classes into the work you do as a freelance artist?
The biggest trait I incorporate into real life is hard work. If you want to get an A on a project, you'll have to work harder, smarter and be more efficient. The same is true for my career. You just have to work harder than the rest. Persistence and positivity are my secrets to succeeding in the crazy entertainment world.
What advice do you have for students considering our cinema programs?
Exploring a field in cinema and the arts is such a privilege. We create content that inspires society and helps shape perspectives. Don't ever lose touch of that no matter the kind of content you work on. Take different opportunities, branch out and explore all of the endless possibilities there are during your college career. I did a little bit of everything while in school which ultimately made me a better producer. A great place to do that is at Point Park University!