Lights, Cameras, Chaos

Behind every Super Bowl halftime show or Oscar win lies meticulous planning and split-second coordination.

One LVC alumnus is fortunate to have succeeded in such an exciting-and chaotic-field. Na'Jee Parker '17 has earned his way into a career as a Production Coordinator for these internationally watched events, and others like the BET, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards.

His love for the entertainment industry began with a college band he created with friends, where they organized their concerts and made music videos. Parker enrolled in LVC as a Music Business major to pursue a path in numerous musical pursuits, especially the VALE Music Group. On vocals and saxophone, he co-created the band Sheridan Ave with friends Lucas Gienow '16 and Brad Hartman '17, which became one of the first artists to receive a VALE Artist recording contract.

"Creating Sheridan Ave with my friends was a big step toward launching my way into the industry," said Parker. "Signing with VALE Records gave me real-world experience, and mentors like Professor Jeff Snyder [Professor Emeritus of Music] and Venus Ricks [former Director of Multicultural Affairs] guided me and helped shape my career direction."

Parker moved to LA after college to start chasing opportunities in entertainment. His father gave him his first job as a Production Assistant; then he built personal connections.

"I paid my dues, working 12-hour days and doing everything from talent pickups to dog watching. It's a lot of moving parts, but all coordinated by amazing teams."

Parker struggled pick a favorite event when asked about meaningful or challenging projects.

"Working on shows like the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys, shows I grew up watching, was especially meaningful, but felt surreal. Every time I got the call, it was special to call my mom, Angela, and share the good news.

Parker is building Live and Illustrated, a platform showcasing emerging artists on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

"The most rewarding part of this career is seeing ideas turn into reality," said Parker. "From writing ideas down, talking with peers, and collaborating, to watching it all come to life-it feels like magic."