Set Savvy: Grow, Adapt, Connect

Join us for the third and final event in the Set Savvy Series! In this workshop, industry insiders will walk you through all of the fundamentals you need to continue building your industry network.

You'll hear from Alexis Doan, Rachel Murphy, Lauryn Zimmerman plus other industry pros as they focus on how to get invited back, and how to grow and adapt your small business. Learn the ins and outs of the paperwork that gets you paid. This week will conclude with a networking session, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with an industry leader from each department.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to handle timecards, invoices, and onboarding paperwork
• The difference between freelance hustle and small business thinking
• How to build strong relationships with crew members across departments
• Best practices for staying organized and getting paid on time
• A live networking opportunity with department heads and hiring producers

Why It Matters:The goal isn’t just to get on set—it’s to stay on set. Learn how to turn one gig into the next, and the next, and the next.

This series is ideal for:

• Aspiring PAs looking for their first set experience
• Early-career filmmakers wanting to round out their knowledge
• Students and creatives exploring behind-the-camera roles
• Anyone seeking a foot in the door in Indiana’s growing film industry

Rachel Murphy is a seasoned production professional with over 20 years of experience in commercial and film production. She began her creative journey with a degree in Fine Art Photography from Indiana University’s Herron School of Art, later discovering her passion for motion storytelling.Rachel has produced national, regional, and local advertising campaigns for two decades. In the past ten years, she has expanded her focus to narrative filmmaking, driven by a deep love for storytelling and a strong desire to take on the creative and logistical challenges of film.Her recent film credits include line producing the features Runner, Between Waves and So Cold the River, as well as several short films including Hide & Seek, The Passenger, Through the Window, and As We Begin. She has produced commercial campaigns for brands including State Farm, Meta, IU Health, and others.

Alexis Doan is a production assistant and visual creative with over three years of experience in photography, videography, and commercial production. Based in Indianapolis, Alexis has worked on sets for national campaigns with brands including State Farm, Gatorade, and Nike. Prior to entering the production industry, Alexis spent two years in corporate sales and marketing, bringing a strong foundation in brand strategy and client communication. Alexis holds a B.S. in Marketing and International Business from Indiana University and combines creative execution with business acumen to support directors, producers, and crew with adaptability and professionalism.

It takes a strong person to deal with high schoolers on the regular. Lauryn Zimmerman did it for four years. And even when she did leave the education world, it wasn’t the overly involved parents that drove her out but rather a creative longing that guided her toward video production. Which, to be honest, wasn’t that surprising. The truth is, Lauryn grew up as an “industry kid.” While some of us were dragged to corporate offices for Take Your Daughter to Work Day, Lauryn headed to her dad’s video production studio to hang out with other professionals, cameras, and learn a lot of creative jargon. Over the next summer, she dove even deeper into video production and never left. “The combination of organization, scheduling, and creativity in video production was perfect for me. I could not have made a better decision to change my life path.As someone who’s not afraid to take charge, people and clients like working with Lauryn." Clients like Apple, Microsoft, MasterCard, IU Health, Sony, Gatorade, the NFL, and Indiana’s favorite sitcom Parks and Recreation, to name a few.

The Set Savvy Series is workshop series presented by Pattern in partnership with Studio Lex and Moxie Films.

This series is supported by Herb Simon Family Foundation and the Samerian Foundation, and is part of Pattern’s Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Creative Entrepreneurs (SPACE) program.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Stutz, 1060 North Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, United States