“My day can vary from working with directors to pulling materials for their pieces, looking over the script for music pieces, approving videos of music interviews and working with my supervisor to prepare for future guests.”
Quick Facts
Program: Film, B.A.
Graduation Year: 2020
Current Job Title: Music Assistant, "Entertainment Tonight"
California Baptist University alumna Kiani Margolis (‘20) is part of a team at “Entertainment Tonight” (“ET”) that recently won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment News Series.
Margolis works at “ET” as a music assistant, where she juggles many different responsibilities in her role. She pitches celebrity guests, works with music producers to set up interviews and works with directors to ensure all materials are ready to go when guests arrive.
“I have recently taken over producing the music shoots for ‘The Download,’ the online show for ‘ET,’” Margolis said. “In this role I oversee and produce the shoots with my supervisor.”
A typical day on set is an exciting and busy one.
“My day can vary from working with directors to pulling materials for their pieces, looking over the script for music pieces, approving videos of music interviews and working with my supervisor to prepare for future guests,” Margolis said. “I occasionally shadow the film and TV producers on shoots, and I get to go to the premieres and learn how red carpets work.”
While studying at CBU, Margolis pursued a degree in film through the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD).
The CAVAD program helps prepare students for their careers by stressing the importance of not only working hard but utilizing the connections around you, Margolis said.
“Whether you know it or not, the people you are surrounded by have the potential to help you with your career,” Margolis said.
Margolis landed at the show because of a connection she made with a fellow student while working as a tour guide in the CBU Admissions office.
“My co-worker posted on her Instagram story that her roommate had just won her first Emmy from working at ‘Entertainment Tonight.’ I replied to it and said her roommate had my dream job,” Margolis said.
That turned into a bigger conversation, and by September 2021 Margolis started at “ET” as a production assistant.
“By June 2022, I won my first Emmy. It was a full circle moment, and it wouldn’t have happened without CBU!” Margolis said.
Mark Roberson, dean of CAVAD, said the program takes great care to prepare its students to have the knowledge and tools they need to be successful in their professional pursuits.
“This Emmy win by Kiani is another in a long line of impressive achievements for CAVAD alumni and students. We pride ourselves on our students’ ability to successfully compete against the very best students from across the country,” Roberson said.
CAVAD’s film program combines a solid film studies foundation, cutting-edge technological training and extensive business-of-film exposure to equip students to enter the field, Roberson said.
“Kiani’s unusually quick rise through the ranks at ‘ET’ to being an Emmy winner is evidence of that preparation in action,” Roberson said. “We are so proud of her for her amazing accomplishment and also for how she represents CBU film every day.”