Storyteller in Los Angeles, CA

Hello, Marlee.

What you received in the mail isn't an unsolicited script from a screenwriting hopeful, but a demonstration of a passion for storytelling from someone who hopes to be FAN’s next Manager, Internal communications.

Hello, Marlee. I'm Ralston Vaz – an internal communications leader who has worked in tech for over 10 years. I've also studied and practiced cinematic storytelling on my own for the last four years, and spent much of the last two years trying to find a way to help shape internal comms at Netflix.

I enjoy working closely with chief executives and senior leaders to distill complex information into clear, engaging messages for employees. I've been privileged to do that work at small startups and large Fortune 100 companies leveraging unique approaches to communications given my overall 20-year background as a designer of many disciplines – particularly UX design, brand strategy, and identity design.

But I deeply love the practice of creating resonant communications experiences that go beyond informing employees. I believe a "good story, well told" isn't just applicable to crafting moving drama or rendering captivating animation, but also to celebrating product releases, announcing strategic initiatives, and introducing new senior leadership team members.

Marlee, I'd really love the opportunity to chat with you and your team about how my passion, experience, and unique skills make me the best candidate for managing FAN's internal comms. I’m happy to make myself available to you whenever you're available to talk.

In the meantime, please enjoy a few items that may help you get a better sense of who I am:

• By Five short film
• Resume
• Recommendations

By Five short film

In the story I sent you, I mentioned writing and directing my first scripted short film. It was an important step in my journey as a storyteller – a step taken with the support of my family.

My wife Alicia and our daughter Cadence (20 at filming) embodied the story's two characters. Neither are trained or have any serious interest in acting. They simply believe in me and submitted themselves to the long and challenging process of making something beautiful and truthful together.

Our son Caleb (15 at filming) was behind the camera with me. He helped set up shots and kept an eye on continuity during our one and a half days of shooting. It was a challenging and enlightening experience for us both.

Please enjoy the film, Marlee. You can view it below or find it on Vimeo here.

Behind the scenes

After releasing By Five on Vimeo for others to watch, I wanted to share what it was like to produce it. I've benefited from supportive communities of screenwriting and filmmaking groups throughout my journey and know how much one's personal insight can be helpful.

Pulling together some common questions I was getting about making my short film, I published a blog post on the website of Icelandic filmmaker and friend Olaf de Fleur Johannesson (Malevolent, Netflix):

• Behind-the-Scenes with a First-time Writer/Director

Resume

I imagine it's the work of your recruiting team to review and evaluate candidate resumes. I've applied for the Manager, Internal Communications - Feature Animation role via Netflix's website and attached my resume to that application. A couple of kind friends at Netflix have also referred me internally and I believe my resume was attached to those submission.

If you are curious to take a peek yourself, Marlee, I invite you to view a PDF of my resume here.

I keep my LinkedIn profile up to date if you prefer to browse my work experience there.

I also enjoy sharing internal comms advice for senior leaders on LinkedIn. These posts are quick reads and candidly address the challenges and opportunities of effective engagement given my work experiences, studies, and lessons learned.

Some recent topics:

• The value of intentionally encouraging dialogue in internal communications (article)
• How leaders might keep strategic priorities fresh for their team as they move further into H2
• Asking CEOs to consider the impact of asking their people to be "brave" during All Hands Q&A sessions

Recommendations

I've had the great pleasure of working with some fantastic people in my career as an internal communications leader. Recently, many of them were kind enough to reflect on what it was like to work together.

I invite you to browse the 27 recommendations on my LinkedIn profile. Beyond what I can say of myself, I hope these insights from chief officers, senior leaders, and piers provide some assurance of my skills, experience, and value as an internal comms manager.