Rising Stars: Meet Noah Greene of The Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noah Greene

Noah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved out to LA in 2021 without knowing anyone–I met my roommate online, we had one video call, and then I drove out across the country to live with her. I didn’t have a job lined up but I wanted to work in editing. The first job I landed, I got a call early in the morning from someone who said they were referred to me by “Kevin,” and I pretended to know who that was and it got me an interview. I had picked up After Effects as a COVID-19 lockdown hobby and kind of accidentally ended up doing motion graphics. I’ve worked on a number of documentaries, including “Stamped From the Beginning,” which premiered at TIFF and is available to watch on Netflix, and “The Stroll,” which premiered at Sundance and is available to watch on Max. I also work a lot with musicians: making music videos and cover art, promotional material, and running live events, including Camp Boneyard and Larkapalooza. I’m always picking up something new, right now it’s 3D and VJing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I worked in a workplace so hostile it sent some of my co-workers to the hospital. I stayed for a long time because it seemed like maybe the only opportunity I’d ever get, and my boss was constantly stressing how important it was to never make enemies if you wanted to get work, and how “easy my generation had it.” After leaving the job and slowly gaining back my will to live, I was able to call it abusive, but while I was in it, I felt like it was my fault I was struggling so much. No job is worth your health and wellness; I’m no better off for having gone through that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now, I’m interested in bridging opposing mediums–physical and digital, traditional and newfangled, feminine and masculine. I like to mix traditional hand-drawn, mixed media, experimental, and digital animation into something new. I’m always trying to create new approaches that show the hard work entailed but also surprise like a magic trick, where you don’t know exactly how it’s done. I’ve been having a lot of fun mixing in strange mediums, like spending hours and hours hand embroidering frames (“Ribbons,” swanskin ft. saoirse dream), setting a video on fire using fumage (“basalt,” thatcherblackwood), and animating with an old version of MS Paint and Kid Pix (“trendsurfer,” xaev).

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is such a sleazy word. I wish the industry wasn’t so based on who you know–it exacerbates the racism and classism of the system. That being said, there is definitely something of value in networking; community and worker solidarity are super important! The difference for me is focusing on authenticity and diminishing competitiveness (and, for organizers, prioritizing accessibility).

If you don’t have any connections, sheer quantity is the only thing you’ve got. I’ve sent out more than a thousand cold emails to people in the industry and studios I’d like to work with. Especially if you’re currently a student, this works pretty well; don’t ask for a job, just a 15 minute “informational interview.” Then, you can ask if they know anyone it would be useful for you to know. I haven’t gotten a single job from a job listing, I’m kind of convinced those are all fake. If you’re an introvert or don’t make great first impressions, don’t worry! Most of the industry is just like you. The important part is to make real friends who are also creatives and to be a decent person when you get a job. It’s not actually about enchanting everyone into giving you money.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://temberl.in
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tem.ber.lin/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-greene-760091196/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/temberlin.bsky.social

Image Credits
Ant (@antlikebug)
Raziel (@nervwrack)