Each January, National Mentoring Month invites us to reflect on the profound influence mentors have on our personal and professional growth. Among its many highlights is Thank Your Mentor Day, a special occasion to express gratitude to those who have generously shared their guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support. Mentors often see the potential we have yet to recognize in ourselves, offering encouragement and opportunities that help us uncover our paths and refine our talents.
At Brownieland Pictures, we’ve had the privilege of mentoring talented individuals who have brought energy, passion, and fresh perspectives to our work. These relationships have been a constant source of inspiration and a testament to the transformative power of mentorship. In honor of Thank Your Mentor Day, we’re excited to share the stories of two remarkable individuals, Alexander Dean and Paddy Wolford. Both began their journeys with us as interns and have since grown into accomplished professionals. Their journeys illustrate how mentorship can spark growth, build confidence, and leave an enduring impact.
PADDY WOLFORD
My Time at Brownieland
by Paddy Wolford
“My experience at Brownieland was a monumental time for me as a rising professional in the entertainment industry. I’m so happy to have had Brownieland as my entrance into this world because they showed me firsthand what it’s like to be a force of good in this industry. After seeing the passion and good they provide with their work, I just really wanted to make them proud.
I first interned at Brownieland as a sophomore in college. During my time at Brownieland, we worked regularly with the Atlanta Speech School, creating educational content for elementary-grade students. It didn’t take long for me to notice the passion, care, and attention to detail displayed by its founders, Randy and Robyn. This was the first lesson I would receive from the Brownieland team: to stay true to myself and help be a part of the world that I want to live in by being a driving force of good.
One thing that felt completely immeasurable was the support I received from the team here at Brownieland. As a young college student, eager to make a name for myself in the world of film, Brownieland encouraged and supported my ambitions to help me find my place in this field. The support I received from the team at Brownieland helped me build the confidence and experience I needed to find success in this industry.
I can confidently and proudly say that if it weren’t for my experience with Brownieland, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe a lot of my successes to the team here at Brownieland, and I hope to one day live up to their level of passion and hard work.”
ALEX MACKEY
“When I was in college, I really had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I was drifting through classes without much difficulty, but I would always avoid planning for a future career. I just assumed everything would fall into place for me eventually. Whatever I was meant to do in this world would surely find its way into my life without me having to put forth any effort in choosing a career path. Very naïve, I know. But oddly enough, that’s kind of how it all worked out.
Sometimes the universe puts you in the exact right place at the exact right time. In lieu of career planning, I decided to focus my academics on subjects I was genuinely passionate about. I always loved classic cinema, and so I found my way into an internship program that specialized in music and video production. I was randomly paired with Brownieland Pictures, and it turned out to be the perfect fit for me. Robyn and Randy brought me into the fold and gave me an incredible opportunity to experience the world of video production firsthand. They helped me identify what aspects of the business I enjoyed, as well as what I was actually good at.
I think Brownieland has a knack for seeing potential in people. I was very rough around the edges when I started with them, but they continued to guide me forward despite my inexperience. They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. It took some time, but I eventually found my footing and began to trust in the skills and abilities that Brownieland had been helping me to build. I’m so thankful they had the patience and enthusiasm to stick with me even beyond the conclusion of the internship program.
They invited me to contribute as a freelance producer so that I could continue gaining experience after college. And when I showed interest in learning how to edit, they gave me projects to work on that allowed me to explore that skill. I now work professionally as a video editor, and I owe it all to the opportunities and mentorship I received from Brownieland Pictures.”
Brownieland Pictures 