Alumnus Part of the Crew for Upcoming Prequel to "The Sopranos"

Ben Hammel ’18, who has experience working on a wide range of video projects, has taken his talent to the big screen.

Hammel was a member of the set decoration team that worked on the upcoming feature film , a crime drama written as a prequel to the critically acclaimed series . Starring Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, and Jon Bernthal, The Many Saints of Newark is set to be released this fall.

"My professors had truly diverse backgrounds, and they gave me a wide variety of opportunities and unique, hands-on experiences."Ben Hammel ’18

"It was a great experience," said Hammel, who worked on the film with Tim Metzger ’85, the art department lead.

A communication major who minored in sport management, Hammel says that he began networking early in his time as a student, which enabled him to make valuable connections.

"The most beneficial part of my time as a student was the experience I gained," Hammel said. "My professors had truly diverse backgrounds, and they gave me a wide variety of opportunities and unique, hands-on experiences."

While producing the first season of the University’s business competition show "On the Spot," Hammel learned how to create a show from concept to completion. As an intern, he worked with and , alongside renowned director Ruben Latre. He also gained experience working on a variety of productions, including commercials, a music video, and the feature film "Following 5 But Proceeding 7."

"This was extremely beneficial, since it gave me my first real insight to what it is like to be on a professional set," Hammel said. "I had the unique opportunity to be part of the production – I was not just a typical production assistant."

Hammel’s work earned acclaim even before he graduated. His public service announcement addressing suicide prevention won a Student Emmy award, and he collaborated with other University students on the short film "Men’s Room," which also won a Student Emmy award and was recognized at the 71st in France.

After graduating, Hammel worked as an in-house video editing specialist for , overseeing all stages of the company’s video content, including promotional and internal corporate videos.

"ËÄÉ«AV of New Haven prepared me for each position I have had after I graduated," said Hammel, who also does freelance video work for small businesses, artists, and nonprofit organizations in New York City. "I gained a firm grasp of the many different sides of the industry, and I feel confident and prepared for any position I may hold."