5 Minutes With... Production Coordinator Riley Gerenda

What brought you to Outpost?

Back in October 2020 while I was running a coffee shop in my small hometown in North-eastern Pennsylvania, I randomly met Managing Director of Outpost LA, Andy Williams when he came in as a customer to my shop. We started chatting which led to Andy mentioning he works in VFX in LA.

I then mentioned the fact I had just finished my MA Degree in Communications at Villanova University and how I was planning on moving west eventually. I was very fortunate that Andy remembered me when he began hiring for the LA Outpost Studio and reached out. I responded with my resume, and after a few video calls I had accepted the job!

Next thing I knew I was sitting down with my family to tell them I was moving across the country in a few weeks. It’s a whirlwind story from there, and I’m happy to say I’ve been working for Outpost LA since it opened.

When did you first realise you wanted to work within VFX?

I’ve always watched TV and movies religiously, immediately piquing my interest in this larger-than-life industry. I wanted to be a part of the magic, so I’d scour the internet for behind-the-scenes clips, outtakes, and interviews on my favourite talk shows.

While in grad school, I had the opportunity through my university to travel to LA for entertainment-immersive trips. I quickly learnt there were many different areas of the entertainment industry that you can work in, VFX being one of them. 

I’ve always loved learning new skills and ways of thinking so when I first heard of the possibility of working for Outpost, I was eager to explore something new and exciting.

I credit my interest in the field and willingness to try something unexpected in bringing me to work within VFX.

Did you always want to work within Production?

One day my cousin landed a leading role in an Amazon Prime show, and I’d been pivotal in setting him up with the audition, so I thought for a bit that I wanted to jump in through casting and pre-production. 

I think the beauty of the entertainment industry is that there are a lot of jobs that people just don’t know about. I wasn’t sure exactly what my first role in this world would be, but Production seemed like a perfect place to start. 

Working in production has given me access to learning about the large variety of talent and roles our company and VFX needs to function. It’s been a great starting block for understanding fundamental post-production processes, and I’m really excited to see where my future in Production takes me.

What’s been your biggest career achievement to date?

Seeing my name in the credits on Westworld, a show I started watching in my senior year of college, is definitely the biggest achievement thus far. I didn’t know we’d be in them beforehand, and there was so much collaboration, energy, and thought put into this show that it was awesome to see Outpost represented.

How would you describe the team and environment at Outpost?

I’ve been really blessed to be welcomed with such open arms. Knowing very little about VFX was overwhelming at first, but being surrounded by such kind and passionate people, all of whom are very willing to show me their latest work and how they created it, has certainly helped me grow into my role here at Outpost.

What part of working in Production do you enjoy the most?

My favourite part of working in Production must be catching up with the artists and my Production team. I like getting the scoop on how everyone’s day is going, what they’re working on, and if there’s anything I can do to help out on any given day.

Relationship-building is so important in this role, and it’s something I really enjoy myself, so I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to connect with such cool and interesting people every day – even if I am just pestering them for an updated ETA on something they’re working on!

What’s been your favourite thing about working at Outpost?

It’s been great to see how dedicated everyone at Outpost is. I think there is a serious push to create a good workplace environment, and you can tell that people care about each other and the work they put out.

Work life balance is so important to those calling the shots here, and I really appreciate that Outpost takes care of their staff with such enthusiasm.

If you weren’t working in Production, which department could you imagine working in?

I think working as an artist would be very cool, despite my entire lack of ability. More realistically, I’d be able to picture myself collaborating with the marketing team after focusing on it quite a bit throughout my education.

Which project has brought you the most joy to work on?

Westworld was a real team effort. As the newest Outpost studio, we went through a lot of process-building on a project this large, and I’m very proud to see a lot of our work throughout S4.

I also felt more confident in my knowledge of VFX on this show, so it was exciting to see and understand how such elaborate shots full of assets, DMPs, and Comp work came together in a show that I’m a big fan of.

Finally, some quickfire questions:

What’s the one thing you always keep on your desk?

A plethora of cups – water, coffee, and tea at the very least.

You can eat one thing for the rest of your life – what is it?

My mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup

What would be your superpower?

Teleportation!

You’ve got a couple of hours to kill – what do you watch?

Fleabag for the tenth time.

What are you currently learning?

Mindfulness

Any pets?

Four dogs at my parents’ house in PA that I count as my own. None out here.

Favourite way to relax?

Long walks and podcasts when the weather and sunlight permits!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Ireland

What irritates you?

Complacency

Guilty pleasures?

Chips

Favourite song?

Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers

Last present you bought yourself?

New Doc Martens! They hurt!