Three New Jersey Film Academy Certificate Holders Hired to Work Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in Times Square
Three recent certificate holders from the New Jersey Film Academy at Brookdale Community College – John Nelson, Makenzie Smith, and Jason Hernandez – were hired by Dick Clark Productions to work as production assistants for the iconic Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, ringing in 2026 in Times Square.
The trio’s selection by Associate Producer – Monica Bahamonde of Dick Clark Productions, demonstrates the real-world readiness and professional caliber of New Jersey Film Academy graduates, who gain hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials that prepare them for immediate entry into the film and television production workforce.
“We are incredibly proud of John, Makenzie, and Jason for this tremendous achievement,” said Joe Colicelli, Program Manager of the New Jersey Film Academy. “Being hired to work on one of the most-watched annual television events in the world is a testament to the quality of training our students receive and the strong industry connections we’ve built. This is exactly the kind of career opportunity we envisioned when we launched this program.”
Diane Raver, Director of the New Jersey Film Academy, added, “Seeing our certificate holders’ step directly into professional roles with major productions like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve validates our mission to create clear pathways from education to employment in the film industry. These three students represent the bright future of New Jersey’s growing film and television production sector.”
The New Jersey Film Academy is available through 13 New Jersey community colleges and is supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. The Academy bridges education and employment in film and media by partnering with institutions statewide to provide tailored programs preparing individuals for entry-level industry careers.
Building pathways to career opportunities, the Center for Workforce Innovation for Film/New Jersey Film Academy bolsters New Jersey’s film industry by providing comprehensive training programs that create a qualified workforce. Offering pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to earn valuable industry-recognized credentials and degrees, the goal is to position New Jersey as a leading hub for film and television production, attracting major studios and film productions.
The Pathways model, a statewide collaborative approach to education and workforce training innovation designed to be inclusive, timely, and sustainable, is supported by substantial investment from Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The Academy is transforming lives by making film industry opportunities accessible across New Jersey, building a skilled workforce while empowering dreams in entertainment media.
For more information about the New Jersey Film Academy, visit www.njfilmacademy.org or contact Diane Raver d.raver@njfilmacademy.org.