John D'cruz
is a recent graduate from the Film & Media Studies and Computer Science programs at the Johns Hopkins University. For the last three years, he has immersed himself in the world of film & television development, absorbing the DNA of the entertainment industry by analyzing what made a successful and captivating watch. His internship experiences at leading production companies have helped him hone his skills in script coverage, talent and IP research, and delivering feedback to executives and creators.
Executive Assistant at Circle M+P
Dec 2024 - present | Los Angeles, CA
Support a literary manager with a roster of 20+ clients.
2nd Assistant at Madison Wells Media
Jun 2024 - Nov 2024 | Los Angeles, CA
Process 15-20 script and novel submissions per week from high-profile partners and agencies. Handle incoming calls and maintain phone sheet for studio head. Meet weekly with studio executives (Rachel Shane, Amanda Morgan Palmer, Gigi Pritzker) to pitch new material and discuss their marketability. Write content including coverage, script feedback, draft comparisons, talent lists, and meeting notes.
Intern at Belletrist Productions
Jan 2024 - May 2024 | Remote
Assisted with projects from early development through production, including Hulu's Tell Me Lies. Responsibilities included coverage, IP identification and acquisition, packaging, pitching, and talent selection. Participated in tutorials covering assistant duties, including rolling calls and calendar management.
Student Staff at JHU Digital Media Center
Aug 2023 - May 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Managed high volume of client requests for bookings, support, and trainings. Assisted patrons with work in a variety of mediums, including filmmaking, photography, audio recording and mixing, live events, 3D printing, hardware development, and design. Trained patrons on equipment and in-house resources, including Aputure lights, Canon DSLR/mirrorless cameras, Zoom recorders, Canon/Epson/HP inkjet printers, and Prusa 3D printers. Designed proprietary patron booking system as a replacement for LibCal.
Assistant at Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund
Aug 2023 - present | Baltimore, MD
Process applications for the Fall 2023 fellow and Spring 2024 funding cycles. Manage official Instagram. Design flyers, advertisements, and graphics to promote applications and fellows' projects. Assist in coordinating four workshops (40-50 attendees each) supporting fellows in the production process.
Course Assistant at JHU Computer Science Department
Sep 2022 - May 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Gateway Python (Head CA): Built autograder for 4 Gradescope assignments in Python. Assisted instructors in developing a new slate of projects fostering practical applications of course content. Managed project assistance and grading assignments for 20 course assistants. Provided support to instructors for quizzes, grading, and overall student learning. User Interfaces & Mobile Applications: guided three teams through the Android development process to craft polished gaming and productivity products.
Peter Roth Intern at The Paley Center for Media
Jun 2023 - Jul 2023 | New York, NY
Adapted archive content into a podcast examining entertainment industry figures' resilience in the face of adversity. Connected with leading figures within the television industry including Peter Roth, Betsy Beers, and Quinta Brunson. Pitched an original 10-episode series to Paley Center employees.
Development Intern at Vertigo Entertainment
Jan 2023 - May 2023 | Remote
Wrote coverage across a variety of genres and formats, including screenplays, novels, comics, Reddit stories, and podcasts. Collaborated with intern cohort to compile daily emails summarizing industry news.
Development Intern at Janet Yang Productions
May 2022 - May 2023 | Remote
Wrote script coverage for submissions across a variety of genres. Assisted with films in development, including script feedback, director applications, casting lists, designing decks, and securing funding. Met biweekly to present coverage, trade rundowns, and other ideas to Janet Yang (President of the Academy)
Multimedia Assistant at Johns Hopkins University Instructional Resource Center
Oct 2020 - May 2022 | Baltimore, MD
Created multimedia content for 30+ graduate-level courses, including animations, documentary lectures, cinematic lectures, graphics, and course trailers, using Adobe Creative Cloud. Pitched and designed Multimedia Minute animated shorts to boost content quality and save time spent on correctional editing.
Teaching Assistant at Baltimore Youth Film Arts
Sep 2020 - Dec 2020 | Baltimore, MD
Under instructor Kyle Yearwood, assisted with the development of 6 student art projects using digital mediums available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-Student Films
Quake(r) (dir. Giovanna Molina, 2024) - 2nd Assistant Camera
IRL (dir. Ling Yu Yan and Ellie Rha, 2022) - Producer
Student Films
Liminality (dir. Krystal Yearis, 2023) - Executive Producer
Lollipops (dir. Evelyn Tang, 2023) - Producer, Gaffer
Sierra's Grand Plan to Become An Adult (dir. Lorraine Rinaldi, 2023) - Assistant Director
LATE (dir. Devin Andrada, 2023) - Producer, Gaffer
The Waiting Room (dir. Mia DeAngelo, 2022) - Line Producer
Magnum Opus (dir. Sophia Pasalis, 2022) - Production Designer
Visit the Film page for more
Open CourseBook - Full-Stack Developer
DMC Bookit - Frontend Developer
HopOut - Full-Stack Developer
Visit the Terminal for more
Johns Hopkins University
Film & Media Studies, Computer Science (B.S) | Aug 2020 - May 2024
Recipient of the Hodson Trust Scholarship, a merit award given to less than 20 students per year.
Achieved Dean's List for all semesters to date.
Selected Film Coursework
Intro - Advanced Video Production, Intro - Advanced Film Production, Film Sound, Intermediality, Intro Screenwriting
Selected C.S. Coursework
Data Structures, Computer System Fundamentals, Full-Stack JavaScript, User Interfaces & Mobile Applications, Object Oriented Software Engineering, Web Security
Extracurriculars
The News-Letter - Graphics Editor
Studio North - Finance Chair, Grant Production Chair, Marketing Chair
Barnstormers - Assistant Stage Manager, Assistant Director of Photography, Sound Board Operator, Promotional Videographer
Witness Theater - Assistant Technical Director, Light Board Operator
Color of My Voice - Social Media Manager
Regis High School
Aug 2016 - May 2020
Tuition-free scholarship recipient. National Merit Commended Student.
Extracurriculars
Regis Repertory - Stage Manager
The OWL - Layout Editor
AFA CyberPatriot - Team Leader, 2020 Semifinalist
CompTIA A+ Certified, Adobe Creative Cloud, NextJS, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, C++, Tailwind CSS, Markdoc, Node.js, React, Amazon Web Services, MERN Stack, Social Media Management, Graphic Design, Content Creation, Grant Writing