Behind the Scenes Los Angeles
19 January 2018 Behind the Scenes Los Angeles
This January, a group of Hobart and William Smith students traveled to the Los Angeles area to network with producers, senior-level executives and actors who have created some of entertainments most iconic TV shows, characters and media campaigns. For three days, students had access to panels, site tours and networking sessions that took a behind-the-scenes look into the studios and daily lives of LA professionals.
On the first day of the trip, students connected with industry veteransBrad Falchuk 93, L.H.D. 14, executive producer of American Horror Story and 911, best-selling novelist Jessica Knoll 06and a range of alums who discussed finding careers they are passionate about and breaking into the industry.
After years of putting this program together, we have found it to be spectacularly successful. We have shown students that it is beyond possible to go from Geneva to Hollywood, and have connected them to internships, employment and our alum network, says Professor Emeritus of Media and Society Les Friedman, who helped design and has led the program since its inception along with Professor of Comparative Literature Grant Holly and director of the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education Brandi Ferrara.
The best part of the trip were the stories alums told about how they made connections that helped them launch their careers, says Cecilia Foley 18, a media and society major. The trip was a great opportunity for me and my peers to begin taking those same steps.
The day continued with a series of panels covering topics from the music industry and talent management to film production and acting. Featuring speakers such as Chris Adelmann 77, executive vice president of business development at LiveNation; Kenneth Halsband 88, president and COO of Relativity Media; Christopher McDonald 77, L.H.D.13, actor; and William Peck 90, producer at Hallmarks Home, students gained a broader understanding of the range of careers in the industry. Alumswho participate in panels and networking sessions alsohave the opportunity tomake new connections in their fieldsand stay in touchwith their alma mater.
In addition, students had the opportunity to take tours of the film production company Funny or Die and the advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi. During a visit to Hallmark studios, students met co-hosts of the show Home & Family, Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos and watched them in action interview scheduled guests, basketball player and actor Rick Fox and Logan Shroyer from This is Us. They also traveled to CBS studios and took a tour of the set of Superior Donuts.
On the final evening of the trip, students and LA-based alumni, alumnae, parents and friends of the Colleges gathered for a reception celebrating the New Year withPresident Gregory J. Vincent 83,providing students with an additional opportunity to meet and connect with the Colleges network.
Since the spring semester kicked off, participating alums have worked with the Salisbury Center forCareer Services and Experiential Education to post internships and set up informational interviews withstudents.
Alums who participated in this years panel discussions included:
Chris Adelmann 77, executive vice president of business development, LiveNation
Jillian Collins 15, junior assistant, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Blair Dector 15, assistant, Innovative Artists Talent & Literary Agency
Luke Esselen 11, talent producer
Brad Falchuk 93,L.H.D. 14executive producer/creator
Michael Guilbert 94, filmmaker, Waterproof Pictures
Kenneth Halsband 88, president and COO, Relativity Media
Chris Jacks 16, business development, APEX
Sasha Jewett 17, non-scripted TV assistant, William Morris Endeavor
William Keck 90, producer, Hallmarks Home & Family
Jessica Knoll 06, author & screenwriter
JP Lavin 95, screenwriter
Mitchell Levine 81, president, The Film Festival Group
Andrew Mason 14, Music Coordinator, Big Picture Entertainment LLC
Christopher McDonald 77, L.D.D. 13, actor
Tyler Niles 16,Day-to-Day Manager, Indie-Pop
Frances Parsons 06, actor/model
David Pullano 84, showrunner, Machinima
Eric Salat 92, producer, Leftfield Pictures; freelance
Kyle Sherwood 12, actor/grad student
Connor Widenmeyer 14, screenwriter