Industry Insiders: Building the Worlds We See On Screen

At the final installment of this year’s Industry Insiders series, students heard directly from four professionals who build those worlds every day: Cat Gannon Tokarz, key costumer on the HBO Max series Hacks; Rob Tokarz, production designer on the same show; Wendy O’Brien, casting director whose credits include Abbott Elementary, The Lincoln Lawyer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and more; and actor Toks Olagundoye, a Marymount London alumna, whose career spans television (Frasier, Castle, The Neighbors, and more), theatre, and voice acting.

Together, their stories revealed something many people outside the industry rarely see: the work of storytelling is both creative and deeply practical. It requires imagination, yes—but also flexibility, endurance, and collaboration.

“It’s called the movie industry for a reason,” Rob Tokarz explained. “It’s an industrial process. We’re working with construction crews, machinery, massive teams. But the goal is always the same: to build a world that supports the story.”

For Cat Gannon Tokarz, that world often begins in the details of a character’s wardrobe. As key costumer, she acts as the bridge between the costume designer and the actors—organizing fittings, sourcing pieces, and ensuring that every costume aligns with the creative vision of the show.

But if Hollywood is often imagined as glamorous, the panelists were quick to challenge that idea. “Sometimes it is,” Mrs. Gannon Tokarz said with a laugh. “But most of the time it’s very hard work. Long hours. And sometimes my job is literally picking up dirty socks.”

The conversation revealed how many careers in entertainment begin not with a clear roadmap, but with curiosity and persistence. Several panelists described discovering their path almost by accident—learning the craft while working on student films, internships, or entry-level jobs.

For casting director Wendy O’Brien, the profession offered a way to merge her love of storytelling with her interest in people. “I loved movies and television,” she explained. “I loved being transported into these worlds. Casting became a way to combine reading, storytelling, and empathy—figuring out who can bring a character to life.”

Mrs. O’Brien also addressed a common misconception about casting directors: that they exist as gatekeepers standing between actors and opportunity. In reality, she explained, the opposite is true. “Every time someone walks into the room, we’re hoping they’re the one,” she said. “Because when we find that person, our job is done.”

Actor Toks Olagundoye spoke candidly about the realities of working in the field—including one of the industry’s biggest myths. “People assume actors are all multimillionaires,” she said. “Most of us are not. It’s a challenging career, and you have to be willing to adapt.”

For Ms. Olagundoye, that adaptability has meant working across multiple forms of storytelling—from television roles to voice acting in animated series. The diversity of her work, she explained, has helped her sustain a career in an industry where opportunities can be unpredictable.

That uncertainty, several panelists noted, is one of the most difficult parts of working in film and television. Projects begin and end, and the time between them can be as challenging as the work itself. “You get used to the in-between time,” Mrs. Gannon Tokarz said. “You enjoy the break—and then you start wondering when the next job is coming.”

In an industry built on collaboration, however, talent alone is rarely enough. The panelists repeatedly emphasized the importance of professionalism, humility, and kindness—qualities that determine whether people want to work with you again. “I would always hire someone who’s kind and easy to work with over someone who knows everything but is difficult,” Mr. Tokarz said plainly.

Long production days—sometimes stretching 14 to 16 hours—make the energy of a team essential. “We spend more time with our colleagues than with our families,” he added. “You want to create an environment where people can do their best work.”

At the same time, the panelists encouraged students to balance humility with confidence. Creative industries thrive on new ideas, and the willingness to share them matters. “Sometimes the outlier idea—the one that feels a little crazy—is the one that changes everything,” Mrs. O’Brien said.

Looking ahead, the group expressed cautious optimism about the future of film and television. The industry is currently navigating rapid change—from streaming platforms to new technologies—but those shifts also create opportunities for fresh voices and new kinds of storytelling.

“What excites me is that people still want human stories,” Ms. Olagundoye said. “They want stories about people, and they want to see themselves reflected in those stories.” The panelists also reminded students that audiences themselves shape the future of the industry. The films people watch, the festivals they attend, and the stories they choose to support all influence what gets made.

“If you don’t show up,” Ms. Olagundoye told students, “then what we make doesn’t mean anything.”

For those considering a future in the field, their advice was simple: start learning now. Watch films closely. Study design, storytelling, and performance. Seek internships, explore creative disciplines, and remain curious about every part of the process. “You’re sponges right now,” Mr. Tokarz told the audience. “Consume everything—art, design, film, stories. You never know when something you’ve learned will give you the edge.”

As the final Industry Insiders event of the year concluded, students left with a clearer understanding of the many hands behind every story. The films and television shows audiences love are never the work of one person alone, but the result of actors, designers, casting directors, and countless others working together to bring imagination to life.