As some 14.8 million people tuned into “Saturday Night Live” for the TV show’s 50th anniversary special in February, one crew member worked behind the scenes — and made his screen debut — for what he describes as a “surreal, delightful whirlwind.” 

Koby Garcia ’19, who joined SNL’s film unit production staff in 2023, thrives in the high excitement and community of creatives who work to the final seconds of 11:30 Saturday night, when the iconic show goes live inside NBC’s Studio 8H. 

“I used to joke when people asked: ‘What’s your dream job?’ I would almost brush it off and say, Oh, ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Absolutely, it’s a dream come true.” 

SNL50 was a new high point. Garcia’s name ran in the credits, which isn’t always the case with regular broadcasts. He works as a photo researcher, finding licensed images that the show can use, and working alongside SNL graphic artists, editors and special effects artists to incorporate them throughout the show.  

But in the 50th tribute Garcia appeared in the music video: “Digital Short: Anxiety Sketch,” on how every SNLer suffers from anxiety (and often, irritable bowel syndrome).  

“I have never been prouder to be part of such a significant institution of culture,” Garcia says.  

What stood out about the evening? Paul McCartney at the piano, performing “Golden Slumbers.” 

“To watch Paul McCartney close out the show with the B-side medley of my favorite album, ‘Abbey Road,’ was fitting for the little boy in me watching where I have ended up,” he says. 

Garcia says he is pleasantly over-whelmed by how much goes into the show — and by the people he works with. 

“To me, the writers are the stars, and the cast as well. It’s magic every week.” 

A native of West New York, New Jersey, Garcia grew up loving SNL and the movies. By middle school, he was making his own “no-budget” shorts. At Stevens, he majored in visual arts and technology, with guidance from film studies professors Anthony Pennino and Billy Middleton (“my guiding lights”) and worked with SITTV Campus Television. 

Significantly, he landed several internships with NBCUniversal while at Stevens, later getting hired full time and rising to MSNBC control room manager. Longing for something more creative, Garcia earned a master’s of fine arts, focusing on writing for TV and film, before joining SNL. 

Despite his demanding schedule, he also writes short film scripts, does freelance photography — and he is working on a short film he plans to direct. Garcia dreams of being in the writers’ room of a TV show and writing and directing feature films. 

Reflecting on that little kid who stayed up late on Saturday nights, “I can’t help but feel grateful,” he says. 

– Beth Kissinger