Through persistence and passion, Jesus Martinez has built a career in entertainment

Every week, another email landed in the Moody College Honors Program director’s inbox.

Jesus Martinez sat on the waitlist for the Moody College Honors Program, but that did not stop him. Each message came with a new essay, another attempt to prove he belonged, another push to turn a “maybe” into a yes. His "yes" finally came two weeks before decision day his freshman year. 

“I love telling the story because I think it’s so funny,” Martinez said. “Maybe my tenacity to be in it helped me get into it.” 

Martinez, a graduating radio-television-film and honors program senior, will join William Morris Endeavor (WME) as a rotational assistant after graduation. From interning at Apple TV to serving as co-president of the Texas Entertainment Association and TSTV Incubator, Martinez used his time at UT to turn a lifelong love of movies into a career grounded in both storytelling and the business behind it. 

Martinez grew up surrounded by film. His grandfather worked as a projectionist, and although Martinez never met him, that love for stories told on the big screen passed on to his father, then to him. His parents, despite careers in engineering and computer science, supported his interest and took him to the movies nearly every week starting at 3 or 4 years old.

 “I just grew up loving movies,” Martinez said. “It was my passion. It was my entire being.”

In high school, Martinez joined an audiovisual club, directed and wrote short films and competed at the UIL state level. At UT, he entered the honors program, joined student organizations and discovered a passion for producing and the entertainment business rather than one specific creative role. 

The honors program gave Martinez more than coursework. It introduced him to mentors and industry professionals who shaped his early career. During his first year, he attended a dinner with NPR critic Aisha Harris and later met entertainment attorney Greg Slewett and music executive Kevin Shivers through Moody College events. 

“They were the first people I really felt poured water in my cup,” Martinez said. “They gave me so much.” 

That access inspired Martinez to create opportunities for others. For his honors thesis, he organized a virtual summit focused on creative development, the role responsible for overseeing film and television projects. The event featured panels with executives behind “The Studio” and “The Pitt” and reached students beyond UT, especially those without strong industry networks. 

“Let’s help the people that really do not have these same opportunities,” Martinez said. “Let’s give back in a way.” 

As co-president of TSTV Incubator, a student-led program where students produce television pilots, Martinez helped expand its reach. He formed a partnership with ATX TV Festival, allowing students to premiere their work at the Paramount Theatre rather than solely on campus.

Leadership, he said, meant stepping forward when others hesitated. 

“You have to be the example,” Martinez said. “You have to be willing to put in the work so others can follow.” 

His internship at Apple TV further shaped that mindset. As the only development intern, Martinez worked across multiple teams, including domestic television, Latin America and features. The experience gave him confidence in navigating an industry that once felt distant. 

“It all feels so impossible sometimes,” Martinez said. “But once you’re there and given the opportunity, it gets easier.” 

Martinez also attended film festivals including Cannes, Telluride and Sundance, where he learned from both professionals and audiences. At Telluride, surrounded by students focused on directing and writing, he said he reconnected with the artistic purpose behind the industry. 

“We’re doing this not for the numbers,” Martinez said. “We’re doing it for the art.” 

After graduation, Martinez plans to backpack through Europe before starting at WME’s mailroom, often described as the industry’s training ground. Reflecting on his time at UT, he said he feels most grateful for the people who supported him. 

Now, he thinks back to his first days on the Forty Acres, filled with uncertainty and excitement. 

“I hope I made that freshman who didn’t know what the future held proud,” Martinez said.