Cheyton Jain (Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts MFA’20) on Breaking Into the Video Game Industry

Cheyton Jain (@jainismyname) earned his first film degree at San Francisco State University School of Cinema. His goal: pursue his love for arts and culture. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, he moved back to his home city of Los Angeles and spent a few years scooping ice cream and taking other odd jobs while he redefined his goals.

In 2017, Jain enrolled in the MFA in Film and TV Producing at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. A little over one year after earning his degree, Jain found the perfect outlet for his interests in his role at a world-famous, triple-A video game studio.

In the first installment of our Life After Film School series, Alexa Pellegrini for FilmSchool.org spoke with Jain to discuss the overlap between video games and film, finding a job after film school, and the power of networking.

AP: Why did you decide to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in film?​

CJ: I always knew I was interested in visual art, but I didn’t have a goal. As soon as I graduated from San Francisco State, I realized I wasn’t actually interested in film theory or becoming a film critic. But I didn’t feel prepared to work in or adjacent to the film industry. So, I decided to get an MFA to open up other career options.

BA programs can be just as helpful as BFA programs, though. For example, at San Francisco State, if you want to be super production-heavy, you can do that. But at the time, that didn't interest me. I felt that grasping art as a medium was enough, so I leaned into the critical studies component.

When you get your MFA, you learn how to specialize. After getting my BA, I could have gone on to edit movies and do other technical things in the industry to find my specialization. That path just wasn't the right one for me.

What is the reality about going to film school that all future film school students should know?​

CJ: The loans suck — just kidding, that's probably not a surprise! Really, you need to be aware film school can feel like high school. You need to be really social.

For example, if you really fuck up on a film at the graduate level, it can hurt your social standing. I experienced less of that at San Francisco State. It makes sense since my cohort at Chapman was so small, and we all worked so closely together. I left Chapman with a good reputation (I hope), so that’s a plus.

If you could go back, would you skip getting your Bachelor of Arts in film?​

CJ: If you want to go to film school, getting a BA or BFA before you get an MFA depends on your goals.

For example, if you want to become a director, waiting to get your MFA may make more sense. You're going to have way more life experience to turn into films. If you plan to do another craft, like producing, you should think about combining a BA or BFA with an MFA. I'm glad I did.

Give us a brief overview of Chapman’s Film and TV Producing program. Did anything surprise you? ​

CJ: You're required to produce three films from soup to nuts. At the end of each semester, you screen your film for your classmates and a panel of judges. The one thing I didn't expect is how challenging it was to get involved in post-production. It's possible, but you have to carve out that path for yourself.

What do you do for work?​

CJ: I’m a Marketing Operations Coordinator in a contract employee on assignment at a AAA video game company. The studio produces games across a variety of genres along with mobile versions. Also, I’m a contractor rather than a permanent employee. That's pretty common when you're starting out in the video game industry.

How did going to film school help you get the job?​

CJ: Having a critical film studies background was the biggest thing. At San Francisco State and Chapman, I learned the three things I think you really need to have a career in video games, animation, or film: taste, determination, and access. And after earning my MFA, I found marketing and producing are essentially one and the same. I leveraged my producing skills to get hired.

I started in the esports department as their Creative Services Coordinator, which means I helped coordinate all of the videos and design for the esports marketing campaigns (trailers, hype videos, etc.).

What does a typical workday look like for you?​

CJ: I’m a Marketing Operations Coordinator for our Producers (Video and Campaign). Basically, it's up to me to ensure they can do their jobs. So, I like to think of it as I produce our Producers. I make sure that all the little details or potential problems don't get in the way of them doing their jobs. I construct the standard operating processes that fuel their artistic fire. I help them deliver.

My job revolves around these 3 core questions:

1. Do you know what to do?
2. Why are you doing it?
3. Can you get it done?

I have to answer at least one of those questions during every project. It helps me know I'm on the right track.

Do you see yourself becoming a video producer?​

CJ: Yes, one hundred percent! That's the next step. But in the long run, I'm more interested in producing video games themselves. I've also been a hardcore gamer for as long as I've loved movies. Also, video games have become so similar to films in so many ways.

If you think about it, cut scenes in modern video games are like films. Most game studios set themselves apart by making high-level cut scenes, like The Last of Us Part II. As someone who has a film background, the skill set for producing video games and films are the same — only the tools are different.

My point is that there are many jobs you can get outside of working in a film studio. Most people have this idea that you either have to graduate and get a job at Marvel, or spend years working your way up as a freelancer working on lower-paying narrative-based projects.

Personally, I think that's unrealistic. The need for skilled labor from film school graduates in the marketing space is insane. Plus, you earn a livable wage. But that requires you to avoid being too prescriptive about making films and using your film school degree.

Besides working at a triple-A video game studio, how have you used your Chapman University film degree? ​

CJ: I think of all the big MFA film programs as pieces of the industry puzzle. Here's how I personally see Chapman and the other big LA film schools:

The University of Southern California teaches you how to put food on the table and be multidisciplinary, which is great if you want to become an executive. University of California at Los Angeles teaches you how to be an artist in any capacity. And Chapman University teaches you how to be a line producer.

I have a buddy working on a film, and I was like, "Sure, I'll read your budget and tell you exactly where you made any mistakes.' I also offered to help break down the script since I can do it really quickly. My MFA film producing program was about the day-to-day of running a film set and helping the film hit theaters.

You graduated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. How did you work around those constraints to finish your thesis film and get employed after graduation?​

CJ: I lived with my family and still do. After I wrapped up my thesis film, I went home in March of 2020. The next day, Chapman shut down. The rest of my classes were online, and I graduated in May 2020 [...] That's when the film industry got shut down shortly afterwards. I was like, 'Well, there are no jobs, so now what the hell am I going to do?'

I needed something to keep my brain working, so I put together pitches for documentaries. In that sense, I have been utilizing my film school education ever since. But my itch to produce is satisfied at my full-time job, and that’s fantastic.

Chapman University is widely known for having a strong production program. How did the MFA prepare you to become a producer?​

CJ: I'll put it this way: I do a lot of one-on-ones at my job. The one thing I always hear is if you don’t have imposter syndrome while working at our game studio — or any film or game studio — you are an anomaly. Film school isn't an automatic confidence booster. It's something you have to work through your entire career.

When I graduated, I didn’t fully know what it was like to produce. Your coursework gives you the big picture, but you need to find a job and put what you learn into action every single day. And when you do, it’s like, "OK, now I’ve got it! I finally understand how to work professionally in this medium.

What’s the one thing every film school graduate needs to succeed? ​

CJ: This might sound really basic, but you need to make friends.

My relationship with one person at film school was worth my time and student loan debt. During the pandemic, I got my first professional job because a buddy of mine from film school worked at a live streaming company. They needed a Talent Manager, so I worked there for nine months.

When I wanted to leave that company, I happened to know someone from years ago who worked in my current employer’s esports department, and they needed a Coordinator. He and I hadn't seen each other in a long time, but I reached out, and we reconnected.

Funny enough, a buddy who I went to film school with and met through FilmSchool.org just got also hired for a contract position here. When we met, she happened to see a post from a while ago about my experiences at Chapman. She reached out and said, “Hey, I would love to pick your brain sometime. I’m interviewing there next week.”

We got coffee, she got into Chapman, and because I knew I could rely on her (having worked with her at Chapman), she's starting a job at my company.

And as someone who has visibility into the hiring process, 90% of people would hire an A-minus person they know and trust over an A-plus person they don’t know.

In your experience, how does having a solid alumni network help film school graduates advance their careers?​

CJ: In terms of getting a job and hiring good people, it definitely helps. The people I hired were all friends from my MFA cohort; it's good to help a friend out.

More importantly, when you're in a position to recommend or hire someone, you need to be really, really picky with who you bring onto your team or projects — at least early on in your career. Trust is key. I would never recommend anyone I would not 100% trust to do their job on set without guidance.

Did your classes and/or internships build on your professional training? ​

CJ: I interned much more in my MFA program since it was required to graduate. It was also more ideal since I could leverage the Chapman name. My professors helped set up these opportunities — they would personally recommend me for a role.

I interned for [Producer] Jim Whittaker, who runs Whitaker Entertainment. Jim has produced movies like Pete's Dragon, and the upcoming Peter Pan sequel [Peter Pan and Wendy].

I also took classes in marketing at Chapman, and that helped me work in a marketing role for a boutique company that helped ship out the cardboard stands for movie theaters. It also taught me the importance of maintaining good data.

Knowing what you know now, what would you go back and change anything about your time at either film school? ​

CJ: Honestly, the answer is nothing. After graduating from Chapman, I really liked what I accomplished — and everything fell into place.

Even though I grew up in LA, my parents had zero connections to the film industry. Earning my MFA helped me get a head start. Now, I work in an industry I absolutely love, and I can use my film background.

What advice do you have for new film school students? ​

CJ: Take classes in different mediums. Like, if you really enjoy history, take history classes. If you love color theory, take visual art classes. Having something else to pull from will always help you as a filmmaker. You have to push to take external classes in an MFA program. You don’t have a ton of flexibility since your program is shorter. So, take advantage of that if you can, especially if you get a BA or BFA in film.

If you're a film MFA candidate, remember: Don’t ask someone for a job right away. You only get hired through those meaningful relationships. Invite people out once or twice a month for drinks and dinner; put yourself on their radar.

At the end of the day, go with the flow. If something doesn't work out, pick yourself up and carry on. Keep a sense of wonder and draw on that whenever you feel cynical.

To learn more about Cheyton Jain, follow him on Twitter. For more information about Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and tips to increase your chances of acceptance, read FilmSchool.org's exclusive interview with the Chapman and Dodge College Admissions team:


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