Is This Circle For You?
Is this Circle right for you? If so, make sure you meet the criteria that the mentor has defined. Then, complete your mentorship profile if you have not already done so, and return to our Mentor Circles Application page, make your selection and click 'apply'.
Need more info before you make your choice? Use the dropdown below to view other circles in order to help inform your decision.
Need Help?
What to Expect When You're Expecting to Move Up
Remember the first time you got on a rollercoaster and felt excited, terrified, and confused all at once? That’s me EVERY time I get on a rollercoaster—and every time I move up the career ladder. If that’s also you, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this circle, we’ll talk about how to find your confidence and quiet your doubts, how you know WAY more than you think you know, and how that feeling of “I’m not ready yet” may actually be the key to your success. With the help of many guest speakers, we’ll get varied perspectives from across industry disciplines about what it takes to take that next step.
The ideal candidate for this circle will be mid-career and ready to make the jump from team member to team leader. That could be a storyboard artist ready to direct, a writer moving up to story editor or showrunner, an artist aiming to become an art director, or prod staff ready to move into the production management or executive ranks.
Some of the topics we’ll cover include:
- How to own your authority and believe you deserve this
- How to manage a team
- How to give notes to get the best results
- Imposter syndrome! Ugh.
- How it’s smart to ask dumb questions
- How to pick your battles
Mentee Criteria
Experience Level:
2-3 years
Meeting Times & Dates
Please note: Meeting times and dates are subject to change by your Circle Mentor
Times Per Month: Twice per month
Meeting Times: Wednesday, 6PM (PST)
Circle Leader
Tom Rogers
I am the EP/showrunner of Disney’s THE CHICKEN SQUAD, which premiered in 2021 on Disney Jr and Disney+. I’ve been writing animation for 20+ years, first in features and now in television. Last year our writing team won an Emmy for Disney’s ELENA OF AVALOR.
I’ve been a mentor several times with WIA and also for the past year with Rise Up. Mentorship has been a challenge and a delight. One of my prior WIA mentees is now a Cartoon Network exec; another became a staff writer on my show and is now a brand-new showrunner at Netflix. I don’t take any credit for their success but am happy to have been there to support them and give feedback at key stages in their careers. Some clichés are true, and this is mine: I got plenty of help on my way up the ladder and want to pay it forward to the next wave of talent.
When I’m not helping chickens solve cases, my wife and I like to travel to weird art venues, hike in Griffith Park, and dance tango (not well but eagerly).
Title/Expertise: Executive producer / Showrunner
Company: Wild Canary / Disney Jr.
Location: Los Angeles
LinkedIn / Website:
linkedin.com/in/tom-rogers-87820016