Staff

Mary Ann McBride-Tackett

Managing Director of Media Education

Since 2016, Mary Ann McBride-Tackett has served in various roles as part of Steeltown, a non-profit dedicated to educating and supporting youth and adults in the Pittsburgh filmmaking community, which was acquired by WQED in January 2022. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Point Park University as top graduating senior of the Cinema and Digital Arts program, Mary Ann’s expertise extends from screenwriting and directing to child development. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Mary Ann has worked on everything from studio features to short films, commercials, and television and is proud to be serving her community through the lens of Public Media. A 2023 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 under 40 recipient, Mary Ann’s commitment to fostering local talent is evident through her involvement with several community and industry-related organizations with an emphasis on providing access and equity to underrepresented storytellers. Mary Ann is thrilled to be surrounded by like-minded creatives and honored to be part of WQED Film Academy’s mission to grow and develop all of the amazing local talent here in Pittsburgh! Mary Ann is a proud mother to 2 children (both of whom attended WQED Film Academy!) and was a 4-time surrogate for 4 different families.

Ian Altenbaugh

Film Academy Growth & Outreach Manager

ialtenbaugh@wqed.org

Ian Altenbaugh, a Pittsburgh native, began his journey with Steeltown in 2016 as a teaching artist and later transitioned to the role of WQED Film Academy Program Manager in 2021. During his tenure, he adapted the program to navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, overseeing a cohort with over 25 students. With a lifelong passion for filmmaking and production, Ian’s artistic pursuits range from traditional fine arts to his fascination with creating special effects, reflecting a unique dedication to the craft.

Holding a Bachelor of Science in English from Slippery Rock University, Ian initially pursued a career as a writer and journalist before diving fully into the world of filmmaking. His diverse experiences, including work on both large-scale productions and independent projects, inform his role as Growth and Outreach Manager, where he continues to innovate and expand the program’s offerings from the new headquarters at WQED.

Trisha Hosac

Film Academy Program Manager

thosac@wqed.org

Trisha Hosac joined WQED Film Academy as a Teaching Artist in 2022, thrilled to contribute to a collaborative team nurturing creativity. Previously, she spent 8 years at WTAE as a News Editor, notably creating content for their 4the412 project, a platform showcasing Pittsburgh’s culture. Her focus on the music scene birthed her series “412nes”, allowing her to refine her career path. Since “412nes” started in 2016, it has grown into Spacebat Productions, in which Trisha produced an hour-long, 13-episode show, “Spacebat Productions Presents,” for local station “Music from the 412”.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Animation and Visual Effects from Point Park University and an Associate’s in Multimedia and Graphic Design. Along with her DIY projects, you can find Trish watching her favorite movie, “That Thing You Do.” The movie holds a social place in her heart for the Erie, PA, setting and sparked her interest in music and film.

Edwin Huang

Client Project Coordinator

ehuang@wqed.org

Edwin Huang began his career in video taking a CMU multi-media project to a start-up company during the dot-com boom in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He was the VP of Operations and Productions producing hundreds of hours of computer-based training content for Fortune 100 companies including Verizon, Baby Bells, Mitsubishi, Westinghouse Nuclear, and professors from Ivy League Colleges.

He later worked as the house videographer for various Pittsburgh non-profit performance institutions such as the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and Pittsburgh Savoyards.

For 5 years Edwin Huang traveled around the country as the Technical coordinator in charge of streaming for Div III Hockey league- live streaming over 1000 games. Freelance Clients include Academy Award Winning Participant Media, Brothers Brother Foundation, and The Hillman Foundation. Recently Edwin won Pittsburgh’s “Best Virtual Performance” as a videographer for “Milton” in the City Paper for 2021.

Lu Cooper

Social Media & Content Producer

lcooper@wqed.org

Lu Cooper has been working with Film Academy since they were a 2021 PULSE Fellow (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience). They are a Cincinnati OH native and University of Dayton Alum with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Production concentration.

While in university, Lu served on the Executive Board of the student-run theatre club Studio Theatre for three years, and as the director of the sketch comedy show “Full Circle” for four years. They have a passion for multiple different creative outlets, including comedy, photography, music, and video production.

Nathan W. Fullerton

Film Academy Program Supervisor

nfullerton@wqed.org

Nathan Fullerton has been living and breathing digital media for over 30 years. Way back in the 1980’s, Nathan attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he majored in Cognitive Psychology. In the early 1990’s Nathan worked at the CMU Robotics Institute Multimedia Lab where he created courseware and video for advanced classes like Computer Vision (which was a great way to learn the ins-and-outs of lenses and optics!), kiosks for science centers, and the Just-In-Time Lecture project.

Nathan took the technology he developed at CMU to the commercial world and co-founded a company that created corporate training videos for a variety of major corporate clients. The video-based technology was granted a patent and Nathan led crews that travelled all over the U.S. shooting video on-location.

The end of Nathan’s commercial “dotcom experiment” was an offer from Apple, Inc. to be the first of their new “Creative” in-store instructors at their (then fairly new) retail stores. As a Creative for Apple, Nathan discovered his true calling – teaching – and has spent the last 15 years helping literally thousands of people create amazing things with their technology. Nathan went on to become one of the first “Creative Guest Trainers” — Creatives who travel to Apple locations around the world to train other new Creatives. Nathan is described by his students as “very patient,” “clear and easy to understand,” “a wealth of knowledge,” and “a fabulous teacher.”

Along the way, Nathan has done every job on the set at some point — writing, storyboards, lighting, audio, cinematography, editing, visual effects and CGI, and directing. His credits include the low-budget feature, Scream Park, various pilots and web series, projects for the Carnegie Science Center and the Israel Museum, and live action sequences for multiple episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

He has received Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Audience Choice awards from the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project, and his films have been screened at several festivals across US.

Nathan has a real passion for sharing his knowledge and is thrilled to have an opportunity through the WQED Filmmaking Academy to pass what he has learned to aspiring filmmakers!

Paul Johnson

Learning Level Coordinator
pjohnson@wqed.org

Paul Johnson, a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a B.S. in Electronic Media Journalism, discovered his passion for empowering inner-city youth during his time at the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation. Concurrently, he embarked on a journey as a WFA Learning Level Coordinator, merging his interests in youth development and film. Presently, Paul serves as a Promise Coach at the Pittsburgh Promise and has previously worked at Point Park’s Cinema Arts department. Recently appointed to WFA Learning Level Coordinator, Paul guides aspiring filmmakers, sharing his expertise in film, lighting, and sound, eagerly nurturing their raw talent and witnessing their creative potential flourish. In his free time, you can find Paul going to the gym or watching one of his three favorite movies: Bring It On, Mean Girls, and Moonstruck.

JIbril Washington

Teaching Artist

jwashington@wqed.org

Jibril is a Pittsburgh native who graduated from Penn State University. Immersed in media and entertainment, he loves to coordinate and come up with concepts. When he’s not being creative, he enjoys diving into the business of media and entertainment. Formerly worked at the NBA league office as a production assistant, and provided various clients with freelance services.

Trey Norman

Lead Teaching Assistant

tnorman@wqed.org

Trey Norman joined WQED Film Academy as a Teaching Artist in 2022. Trey graduated from Bowling Green State University with a major in media production. As lead Teaching Assistant, he is always looking to better himself through his work with WQED Film Academy.

He talks about the early struggle with school, “it was tough looking for a college and the one I graduated from sent me a denial letter before I had gotten started. This was tough for me because I really liked the school. I took it a step further, and went to an orientation I wasn’t supposed to go to and met with the admissions director which lead to getting into a program leading to the college.”

“Media production is something that I’m very passionate about, while in North Allegheny Senior High School I was Co-Director of our morning television show and media team. I spent most of my time focused on my schooling and working with my gospel choir A capella group. During the last year of college I worked with a close friend on a student-run campus group called “Live and Loud”. We searched the local Bowling Green area for music artists to record and create music videos. After graduation, I worked freelance in videography. I also worked with EX Transportation; providing reliable transportation for inner city children to make it to and from school.

Soon enough I had made it to WQED Film Academy! My mentor pushed me to find professional work so I could learn more in the film industry and that landed me at WQED Film Academy’s doorstep. Mary Ann McBride-Tackett was more than happy to talk with me about the industry. That talk lead to my filling the opening with WQED Film Academy, and here I am!

Mya Jackson

Teaching Assistant

mjackson@wqed.org

Mya Jackson joined WQED Film Academy as a Teaching Artist in 2023. She is a Pittsburgh native, currently attend Point Park University as a graduate student studying screenwriting. In her spare time she likes to run 5Ks and bake cakes. New to the team, she is excited to be a part of the WQED Film Academy program.

RANDALL COLE

Teaching Artist

rcole@wqed.org

Randall graduated Point Park University in 2018, where he studied Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management alongside a year of cinema. With a background in freelance photography and videography, collaborating with Mdesigncreative and covering live events through various forms of digital media, Randall discovered Film Academy through Trish. Eager to share his experiences and ideas with younger filmmakers, Randall is passionate about fostering creativity and learning from like-minded individuals. When not working, Randall can be found watching the Lord of The Rings Trilogy or playing music with his band. Randall is continuing to diversify his portfolio by branching out into different types of live events, collaborating with startups to enhance their brand presence, and working with movie crews to contribute to various projects.

JoN LEFKOVITZ

Teaching Artist (virtual)

jlefkovitz@wqed.org

Jon Lefkovitz is the director of “Rubber Soul,” a feature film about John Lennon, which screened at the SXSW Film Festival and was awarded the Founders Prize by Michael Moore at the Traverse City Film Festival. Jon’s acclaimed feature-length documentary “Sight & Sound: The Cinema of Walter Murch” was approved by the legendary film editor and sound designer himself. He was also an editor on the documentaries “Clemente” (SXSW 2024) and “11/8/16”, which was distributed theatrically and on Netflix & Amazon. Jon has edited trailers, music videos and commercials for clients including Sony, Disney, Paramount, FX, Tribeca Film and Starz, as well as dozens of mashups that have been published by The Huffington Post, Slate and The A.V. Club.

VINCENT CASSANO

Teaching Artist

vcassano@wqed.org

Vince started out at WQED Film Academy as an intern before becoming a Teaching Artist in 2023. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the Winter of 2023, with a Bachelors in Communication. Along with working at WQED, Vince also assist on local film projects, including developing short-length documentaries. Outside of work, you can find Vince outdoors running, skateboarding, or watching movies. Watching it around 5 times a year and shedding a tear each time, his favorite movie is La La Land.

Milton Cohen

Lead Teaching Assistant

mcohen@wqed.org

Milton joined Film Academy in the Spring of 2024 as a Lead Teaching Assistant. He graduated the University of Pittsburgh in 2024 with a major in Marketing and Film and Media Studies. Since his first attempts at filmmaking with friends and iMovie as a young teen, Milton has been interested in independent filmmaking and capturing his everyday life.

Along with being a Lead Teaching Assistant and Film Academy, Milton also works as the Director of Marketing and Communications for art gallery and studio Eberle Studios, in Homestead. Milton loves helping kids realize their potential and not be afraid to try things outside of their comfort zone. He hopes to bring his knowledge and experience to help students of Film Academy become equipped to follow their filmmaking dreams!

LILY EKIMIAN RAGHEB

Teaching Artist

lragheb@wqed.org

Lily Ekimian Ragheb is an experimental filmmaker and joined WQED Film Academy as a Teaching Artist in 2024. Raised between Washington, D.C. and Cairo, Egypt, she received her MA in English Literature and Film & Visual Culture from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She co-founded the independent production company Studio Ragheb with her husband, Ahmed T. Ragheb. Her short films have screened at Oscar-qualifying festivals including Uppsala Short Film Festival (Nominated for the Ingmar Bergman Award), Athens Int’l Film & Video Festival, and RiverRun, as well as the Arab American National Museum, Pittsburgh Shorts, and AFMI’s Arab Film Festival. She is a 2024 recipient of the Workspace Residency at Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center in Buffalo, NY.

MicHAEL R. PetYak

Teaching Artist (Virtual)

Michael is a filmmaker who has worked on numerous local and national SAG-AFTRA films and television series including: Outsiders, Replicate, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Juniper & Lamplight, Child Warfare, Fort Pitt Motel, and many more. He can most recently be seen performing stunts in Netflix’s Rustin. He has a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance, Magna Cum Laude from Shenandoah University, and an M.F.A. Theatre Arts – Pedagogy (Class of 2026) from the University of Idaho. He is a proud member of AEA/SAG-AFTRA/IATSE and Adjunct Professor of Theater at Seton Hill University. He looks forward to working with Ian, Trisha and Mary Ann and a great summer of making films!