School of Cinematic Arts Alumni

Alexis Auditore (BA '05)
Director of Physical Productions, Marvel Studios Streaming
Alexis Auditore, who was part of SCA’s first graduating class, is currently the Director of Physical Production at Marvel Studios Streaming. Prior to that, Auditore was the Manager of Physical Production for Marvel Studios for nine years, working on projects like the Avengers films, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Black Panther, and collaborating with various museums and partners around the world to curate Marvel exhibitions featuring costumes, props, and set pieces.

Daniel Willis (MS '12)
Director/Writer (Grey’s Anatomy, The Blacklist, Twenties)
Daniel Willis is a director, writer and photographer who draws on his experience growing up on Chicago’s south side. Willis began his production career as a writer’s assistant on the ABC drama, Grey’s Anatomy. His recent director credits include episodes of NBC’s The Blacklist and Grey’s. Willis was a 2017-2018 Sony Diverse Directors Fellow and 2018 Film Independent Project Involve Directing Fellow. His short films and television projects have screened at festivals around the world including The Chicago International Television Festival, SeriesFest (Best Writing - Public Housing Unit), The New York Television Festival, ITVFest (Best of Fest - Public Housing Unit), and the Cannes Short Film Corner.

Jennifer Stachovic (BA '16)
Character Artist, ShadowMachine (BoJack Horseman and Tuca & Bertie)
Jennifer Stachovic is a 2D animator and story artist. Since 2018, she has worked as a Character Artist at ShadowMachine on the series BoJack Horseman and Tuca & Bertie, where she develops character designs and turnaround based on rough sketches and sets up parts for rigging. Stachovic has also done freelance work constructing storyboards for NBC Chicago and SNKR Inc. She is the director/animator for the award-winning films Next Time You’ll Know Better and Limbo. Limbo is a 2D animated short film about a lonely ghost girl who befriends a mysterious phantom limb. It is currently screening in festivals internationally.

Alex Thompson (MFA '17)
Director/Writer/Producer (Saint Frances)
Alex Thompson is a director, writer, and producer working in Chicago. Saint Frances, directed by Thompson, received both the Audience and Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice awards at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. The film was selected by Variety as one of the best movies at the festival and by RogerEbert.com as a standout, powerful film. Thompson’s upcoming projects include more work with the team behind Saint Frances.