NYWIFT & Tradeswomen of Local 52 Celebrate Creative Educators and Honor a Behind the Scenes Worker

Join NYWIFT at Silvercup Studios for a special gathering with our partners at the Tradeswomen of IATSE Local 52 to celebrate creative educators and workers behind the scenes in film and television!

We will begin with a 45-minute panel conversation with educators from local New York schools, moderated by Local 52 Set Decorator Lisa Green, discussing how they are fostering the next generation of designers and crew members. Parents and students are welcome.

A networking reception will follow, including a toast paying tribute to a special guest in honor of their remarkable achievements in a behind-the-scenes field. 

Speakers include Andrew Elias (Academy for Careers in Television & Film), Dr. Matthew Gonzales (The Robert Halmi Sr. Academy of Film and Television), Kevin A. Lopez (Motion Picture Technical High School). Moderated by Lisa Green, Local 52 Set Decorator and Production Designer.

DATE:
Monday, June 1, 2026

TIME:
7:00 – 8:00 pm (Panel)
8:00 – 9:00 pm (Networking Reception)

VENUE:
Silvercup Studios (42-22 22nd St, Long Island City, NY 11101)

PRICE:
Free to attend 

RSVP required.

Register

 

Welcome Remarks:

Kris Bagwell is the EVP and General Manager of Silvercup Studios. Previously, Kris was EVP and General Manager of EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta. Prior to his time in Georgia, Kris worked for MTV Networks in New York, serving as SVP/ General Manager of Nickelodeon Magazine and Nick Online; VP of Business Development, and VP of Affiliate Sales and Marketing. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Cornell University and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. Kris founded the Georgia Studio and Infrastructure Alliance, a public policy and advocacy group for the Georgia film and television production community in 2011. He has also chaired the Georgia board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

 

Emelyn Stuart is a visionary entrepreneur, creative strategist, and passionate advocate for inclusivity in the arts. As the owner of the first Afro-Latina-owned movie theater, Stuart Cinema & Cafe, she has carved out a vital space for diverse voices in the industry. When she isn’t building movie theaters or overseeing her popular Ocktober Film Festival, Emelyn can be found on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, lobbying on behalf of movie theaters and filmmakers. Emelyn embodies the belief that art has the power to transform society, and she is committed to uplifting the voices and stories that deserve to be heard.

 

Panelists:

Andrew Elias is an award-winning Career Technical Education Teacher in Media Communications (grades 7-12) with 10+ years of experience teaching and developing curriculum for a robust film production department at the Academy for Careers in Television and Film (Queens, NY). He teaches the subject across multiple grades, focusing on collaboration, technical skill, professional set etiquette, problem solving, and creativity. Student performance within his Grip & Electric and Honors Production classes have been recognized for achievement at both NYC and nationwide film competitions. Andrew recognizes the importance of diversity and representation in media industries, and as a result is continually working to provide professional pathways for his students and alumni by connecting them with industry partners. Before his second career as an educator, Andrew worked professionally for over a decade as an independent contractor within the film/tv production industry with a concentration in Lighting and Camera departments. Specializing in lighting design, he was equally comfortable as a Gaffer or Key Grip and contributed to an extensive list of credits and project types, including national broadcast commercials, episodic television, and narrative feature films.

 

Dr. Matthew Gonzales is the Founding Assistant Principal of The Robert Halmi Sr. Academy of Film and Television (RHA) in the Yonkers Public Schools. A lifelong musician and educator, he holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education and a PhD in Educational Leadership.

Matt began his career as a music educator, directing bands, choirs, and jazz ensembles while teaching International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in Music and Theory of Knowledge. He later transitioned into school leadership, serving as an administrator and IB Middle Years and Diploma Programme Coordinator. He has supervised grades 6–12, led professional development initiatives, and served on global IB curriculum committees.

Throughout his career, Matt has helped design and launch innovative schools, including an IB Diploma Programme school in Shanghai, China, and RHA, a film-focused arts and career and technical education magnet school. He is passionate about student-centered learning, empowering young people through creative and authentic educational experiences.

 

Kevin A. Lopez is an educator, filmmaker, and the Founding Principal of Motion Picture Technical High School in Queens, New York, a career and technical education (CTE) high school focused on preparing students for creative and technical careers in film, television, and media production. With more than 20 years of experience spanning media arts education and independent filmmaking, Kevin’s work centers on empowering young storytellers through authentic, project-based learning connected directly to the entertainment industry. Under his leadership, Motion Picture Technical High School blends rigorous academics with hands-on production training, helping students develop the creative, technical, and professional skills needed for college, careers, and meaningful artistic expression. As a filmmaker and producer, Kevin’s credits include The Inquisition of Camilo Sanz (HBO), Primera, Paradise City, and the SXSW-selected documentary LA SALSA VIVE. Across both education and film, his work is rooted in expanding access, elevating diverse voices, and building pathways for the next generation of storytellers and below-the-line industry professionals.

 

Lisa Green (Moderator) is an NYC based Set Decorator and Production Designer. She finds inspiration from the world around her. From the bustling city streets, shop windows in Soho, brownstones in Harlem to nature trails upstate, she has the ability to create spaces that tell a story. She interprets what is written and transforms it to create entire worlds. She has been a part of the art department in TV and film for over a decade. Her work challenges her by forcing her to create spaces that only existed as a concept in someone’s mind. As a Set Decorator she is tasked with creating spaces that continue to tell the story beyond the actors. As a Production Designer she interprets a story then transforms these stories into living breathing environments, creating color palettes, construction builds and setting the overall tone.

Her TV and film credits include: Villains (Film), Powerbook: Ghost (TV), Past Lives (Film), Raising Kanan (TV). Some of her projects include: In 2022 she collaborated with artists Costume Designer, Ruth Carter, Lighting Designer Ini Archebong to name a few on an ongoing exhibit that is currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

Educator, Media & Creative Industry Resource People in Attendance:

Jacquelyn Gutierrez has been a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher in New York City for the past ten years. She began her journey in filmmaking through a CTE education program and has since gained extensive experience in independent films and film organizations throughout the city, specializing in cinematography. Ms. Gutierrez combined her passion for film and education by participating in New York City’s Success Via Apprenticeship program, which offers rigorous training for CTE teachers. She is dedicated to creating pathways and opportunities for students of color and female-identifying students who have historically had limited access to the film and television industry. Ms. Gutierrez is honored to join Motion Picture Technical High School as a founding member and the head of the Film/CTE department.

 

Zoe Match Suna is the Director of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives at Silvercup Studios. For the past 8 years she has also spearhead all of Silvercup’s community partnerships, including their internship programs, equipment donations, and workforce trainings with local educators. Zoe also sat on the Executive Board of the New York Production Alliance for 7 years, and is an Ambassador of the Hamptons International Film Festival. Prior to her time at Silvercup, she was an Account Executive at Munn Rabôt, a boutique advertising agency servicing clients such as NYU Langone, Bessemer Trust, and more.

 

Christina O’Shea-Daly is a seasoned production executive with extensive experience managing all stages of the production process, from inception to delivery. She has developed strong creative relationships worldwide, connecting with A-list talent and producers. As Vice President of Great Point Studios, Christina oversees leasing, studio management, and community affairs alongside the Great Point team.

A trusted executive, Christina excels in talent management, casting, development, and multi-project planning and execution. She is deeply passionate about the creative process and possesses strong technical knowledge across all aspects of production.

Christina has served as a production executive and producer on over 3,500 hours of programming across a wide range of genres for major U.S. and international outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Showtime, SyFy, Lifetime, Hallmark, Sky, BBC, Starz, Netflix, and Hulu. 

 

 

About the Local 52 Tradeswomen Committee

IATSE Local 52 is the first Labor Union Local in the world dedicated to filmmaking, and is home to Tradespeople who craft the finest in global entertainment. Chartered in 1924, their work represents the mechanics behind all major motion picture production conducted in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Greater Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware for over 100 years.

The Local 52 Tradeswomen Committee (TW52) is open to all female-identifying members of Local 52 and provides a space for networking and mentorship. They hold events that focus on the needs of their female membership. They have held financial seminars, social meetups, community outreach events, and as of last year, they started a book club. Their most recent event was a wellness event that was open to all members.

Learn more:

https://www.ialocal52.org/public-about-us 

https://www.ialocal52.org/history 

 

Thanks to our partners at

 

(All images courtesy of the participants)