Saturday Night Live turns 50 this year, celebrating a half-century of laughs with a suite of documentaries, content, and parties. Known for its celebrity hosts, musical guests, and topical skits, the star-studded show is a part of pop culture history. But behind the glitz of one of New York’s most iconic stages are teams of professionals that make it all run smoothly. Over the years, Pratt students and alumni have been among these ranks, supporting and shaping the show as editors, producers, and interns.
Take a look below to get to know the Film/Video Department alumni and students who have helped bring live comedy to your screen, every Saturday night.
Ethan Beach, BFA Film ’13, Editor (On-Screen Credit)
As a child, Ethan Beach dreamed of working at SNL. So he jumped “full-force with glee” at the chance to edit for the show.
In his role as an editor, Beach assists on the edits for the SNL Film Unit, working on cinematic shorts directed by Mike Diva. Beach has also edited select original video content for the SNL YouTube channel. His team’s most recent season of Behind The Sketch was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Best Shortform Series.
“The most exciting part of the role is just getting to see the inner machinations of Saturday Night Live and how it functions on a week-to-week basis,” said Beach. “This is a famously secretive and high-profile series and before I worked on it, I often wondered how they put it all together; being able to see all the incredibly skilled artisans in every department of the show has been eye-popping! Some of the most talented people in their respective fields work behind-the-scenes on this show and it’s always amazing to watch. They build gigantic sets, props, costumes, VFX, and scripts in a matter of days!”
For those interested in pursuing a similar career, Beach says: “Make as much art as you can, say ‘yes’ to as much as you can (within your capabilities),” and “keep making films on your own for no budget. So many great films have been made by people stuck in their houses.”
Asha-Kai Grant, BFA Film ’17, Associate Producer
-
![A woman is seen smiling while talking on the phone, captured through a monitor screen on a film or TV set, surrounded by bottles on the table and crew in the background.]()
Asha-Kai Grant on set at Saturday Night Live. Image courtesy of Asha-Kai Grant. -
![A woman in a sparkly green dress and tall yellow boots walks enthusiastically onto a stage with arms raised in excitement, emerging through ornate wooden doors with glowing orange panels.]()
Asha-Kai Grant on the SNL stage. Image courtesy of Asha-Kai Grant.
After seven years, Asha-Kai Grant isn’t new to the hustle and bustle of the SNL set. The film major started as a research intern in 2017, working her way up to her current role as an associate producer. As a first-year student, Grant announced her intention to work at SNL. She pursued that goal throughout her four years at Pratt, getting her foot in the door initially as a research intern and working her way up to her current role in production, which has included contributing to the SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night docuseries.
Stephanie Herrera, BFA Film ’25, Intern for Lorne Michael
Current senior Stephanie Herrera didn’t wait until after graduation to get involved with SNL. As creator and producer Lorne Michaels’ intern, Herrera gets an up-close look at the inner workings of the show, and the mind that brought it to life.
“Working in a creative environment that has influenced so many comedy legends has been a constant source of inspiration, shaping my approach to comedy writing,” said Herrera. “I’ve learned how to strike a balance between humor and storytelling, which has been invaluable as I work on my senior thesis, a comedy-drama.”
“Being at SNL offered me the unique opportunity to experience the industry firsthand, all while continuing to draw from the lessons I’ve been learning at Pratt. The chance to combine my education with hands-on experience has only strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in comedy writing and filmmaking.”
Nicole Tucker, BFA Film ’24, Production Assistant
Following a stint at Late Night with Seth Meyers, Nicole Tucker made the jump to SNL as a general production intern for “Weekend Update,” the “news” section of the weekly comedy show, in 2024. Now, as a recent graduate from Pratt, she works full-time as a production assistant for “Weekend Update,” which involves assisting the script coordinators on Saturdays by typing script changes. “My experience at SNL has been very rewarding and I continue to learn every day,” she said.
Her time at Pratt was instrumental in making this dream a reality. “I couldn’t be where I am today without Pratt Film/Video,” said Tucker. “Coming to Pratt in 2020, I was determined to work in the film industry but had no idea where to start. Luckily, being in NYC means access to entertainment internships and freelance gigs. The Film/Video department offers school credit for internships, so I was able to be an intern and fulfill my course requirements. I also did practice interviews with the CCPD and had my virtual interviews in the private rooms of the Student Union. In my major, I learned every aspect of film production and worked with all kinds of students. I developed technical and personal skills that I use in my day-to-day. For instance, I learned Final Draft in my Screenwriting class and I also use the software at SNL.”
Scott Weinstein, BFA Film/Television ’97, Co-Producer of Weekend Update
Scott Weinstein is the longtime co-producer of “Weekend Update.” He got his start at SNL in 1998, after interning for Discovery Channel and Conan O’Brien. “I thought ‘well, let me try SNL,’” Weinstein told AICAD, “so I ended up coming here and never left,”
As a producer, Weinstein’s job is to “make sure that what the writers and anchors want to do on air gets done.” This means coordinating with the props, wardrobe, graphics, cue cards, and script teams to ensure that by the time the clock strikes 11:30 PM on Saturday night, everything is ready to roll.
“The thing that makes working at SNL so addictive/exciting/scary is that it is constantly changing from week to week and year to year,” said Weinstein. “It’s hard to give up that adrenaline rush.”