TV Taping

As one of our class trips we had the opportunity to attend a taping of the show Two and a Half Men. This was an incredibly interesting opportunity especially after having worked on a film set. At a live taping for a show like this you are expected to make noise and laugh and enjoy their work. This is actually kind of awkward at first because on a film set you are expected to be absolutely silent. After a few laughs though you get in to it and enjoy the experience. Overall it is amazing to see the pace of television compared with that of film. Definitely something to think about...

(Melissa)

managers and agents

As part of our time here we have had the opportunity to meet with different members of this industry. One of the people that we met with was a manager. Most people don't really understand the difference between a manager and an agent. I didn't. Through our meeting we learned that a manager has a much more intimate relationship with their client than an agent does. You call your manager in the middle of the night if something is wrong where your agent would probably hang up on you. Besides this more personal interaction, a manager has the opportunity to develop projects with their clients while an agent is the one negotiating the contract. It all depends on the kind of person you are. As far as the creative end of things goes, both are essential to any career.

(Melissa)

Four Weeks To Go!

As my esteemed colleagues have noted, we're almost outta here! If you're considering doing an internship, one thought that might enter thine brain is this: "is 3 months enough time to learn/make an impression/etc.?"

Have no fear, gentle readers. I had similar concerns when I signed up for this gig. I worried that I would be an anonymous face quickly forgotten in by my co-workers. But in the past two months alone, I've become an important part of the company.

Part of this, I think, comes from working at a small place (which, incidentally, I highly recommend). But in any company, if you can find your niche, you'll become a valued asset - and hopefully meet some cool people along the way.

Halftime

So, we are halfway through the semester. Wow. It seems like we just got here last week some days. While, other days, you feel so strangely comfortable in this town that it seems like it has been six months. It's a great place to be. Things are still new and exciting, and yet you aren't scrambling to figure out which way is north (it's hard with no mountains!). This is also a time to re-evaluate your progress here. By this time it is easy to fall into a routine and maybe not try quite as hard as you did those first couple of weeks here. While it is important to feel comfortable at your job, it is important to have some self reflection and make sure that you are putting in the effort you want to for those last few weeks. I have a feeling that they are sneaking up on us and it is important to not loose steam, because let's face it we work REALLY long weeks!

(Melissa)

Where did all the time go?

Hey,

It's insane how time flies. It's an age old saying but it really is the truth. It feels like us interns just barely got here, but we are really almost done. We have less than a month left and I feel like I just started work yesterday. Being so busy really does that to you. My advice for any future interns is to intern only 4 DAYS A WEEK! This way you can have one day off a week to chill or do some tourist type things while in sunny California. It's been fun but I am somewhat sad it's gone by so fast. I feel like I still have so much that I want to do before I leave.

(Pano)

Big Budget!

Hey,

I am writing about being able to take a look at what the budget looks like on a major Hollywood movie. I had worked on a low budget movie shot in Salt Lake City over the summer. That was made for under $5 million. This budget was more than ten times that. It is just crazy to see the different salary ranges for big star actors or what a big name director makes versus a director on a small film. Regardless small or big, the money is a lot to normal people. I think being out here already for a while you start to lose touch with what things cost. Especially because out here where fashion matters, what kind of car you drive might be talked about, etc. it is hard to keep up. Everyone is going a million miles a minute in this town, money is spent left and right, it really makes you appreciate living somewhere else. It also gives you an appreciation of what you can do with the money on a small independent film. You have to make do because you aren't supported by a big studio. You can only dream of what you could do if you had a tenth of what a studio film spends on a movie. It's crazy here in Hollywood!

(Pano)

Junior or Senior?

There are many differing opinions as to when it is most beneficial to intern- your junior or senior year. Most people would say that it is most beneficial to intern during your senior year as you are about to enter the workforce and interning is a great way to land that first job. I have found that this does not always hold true. First, interning somewhere does not always guarantee employment upon completion of your internship. Second, you may find during your internship that your interests lie elsewhere and that you need to educate yourself in an entirely new area. Interning during your junior year does not eliminate job prospects. It only means that more effort is required on your end to maintain the contacts you do make. Also, many people feel like they know exactly what it is they want to do when they come out here, but many realize, through interning, that their interests may lie in a different area. This realization can be incredibly frustrating if you are in your senior year and have only one semester left in which to explore this newfound interest. As a junior I am very grateful for the extra time I will have when I get back to school. Through my internships I have discovered new passions that I can't wait to explore when I get home!
(Melissa)

Disney Studios

The production company at which I work is based on Disney's studio lot. This provides an excellent opportunity to peek around and see what there is to see.

One of the most interesting things is all the brand identity going on. Everywhere you turn, there are posters for new Disney movies, weird architecture based on Snow White, whatever. Much like a Disney film, there are actually squirrels running around happily on perfectly manicured grass. It's so idyllic it's almost creepy.

I think the biggest advantage to being on a lot, as opposed to in an office building, is sharing your building with a lot of cool companies. Our next door neighbor, for example, is this guy. Everyone on the lot has that cool entertainment industry casual-clothing thing going on, unlike the offices we're moving to, which are populated by uptight lawyers.

TV or Film???

Hey whomever might be reading this,

So it is definitely tough trying to figure out what you want to do when you grow up, maybe a little tougher in this industry. Everyone loves the movies, and idealists are always like "I want to direct" but of course it is not that easy. However, trying to find your niche is what this whole experience is about. Internships are a great tool to help you figure out what you want to do.

A lot of film students tend to turn up their nose when it comes to television. This is something that is relevant to me and my world out here. Working at a production company with a film and TV side is great because I can experience a little of both. I find myself more interested in TV every passing day. TV is a lot faster than film, by that I mean the process. TV is more cyclical because something has to be on at some hour in the day. Movies don't have to get made. It can take up to several years, maybe a decade to get a film made, whereas in TV it's like a sports season, a one year cycle, a bit of a break, and back again. If a TV show gets canceled you come up with something new next year. It seems as if there is more riding on a film that you put everything into.

However, with a film it seems easier to get into. TV requires being "established" whereas anyone with some money can go make a film and do what they want with it. Since TV is so controlled by the studios and networks there really isn't a independent niche like in film.

So anyway, both have their pros and cons, but I am here to find out what is for me!

(Pano)

Trends

In class, we often talk about different trends that show up throughout the industry in certain years. For example, many of this year's new shows are light "dramedies." Well, I just noticed a bizarre trend for this year in TV/film. See if you can spot it:What the hell?

Dress Code

Appearance plays a huge role in this industry. There is this desire to look younger while still making it seem effortless. Men will dye their hair while women will dress like their daughters to fit the young mold. This is fueled by the fact that there will always be a fresh crop of talent vying for their jobs. People need to appear as though they are on top of their game and are in touch with what is hot and the easiest way to do this is through their appearance. It has been very interesting to watch the different facets of this struggle with appearance. Working at two different companies has given me a unique perspective on this. At my studio internship I am in an environment that consists of mostly women. This fuels a very 'high fashion' environment. Every outfit consists of at least a pair of expensive, uncomfortable shoes, or a trendy bag. On the other side of things, at the production company, people aren't quite as trendy. It is more of a business environment. That being said, it is still extremely laid back. People look like they are still in college even though they are well in to their careers. This intense focus on appearance begs the question of whether or not you are prepared to make appearance a priority for the rest of your life...
(Melissa)

The first weekend in LA or getting "oriented."

Hey,

I wanted to talk about the first weekend arriving in LA. More specifically "orientation weekend" for the ladder program. It can be a scary experience coming to a new place and not knowing where you are. The first weekend here gave us an opportunity to get more acquainted with our surroundings. We went to dinner as part of our orientation weekend down near Venice Beach. This was awesome to initially experience some quality food because it is harder to find good food in a smaller and less diverse place...i.e. Utah. On Sunday we were able to get some directions and our very own Thomas Guides to LA. A Thomas Guide is a book with a ton of maps for all the streets that you will end up going down by mistake. So we went on a scavenger hunt to find our respective workplaces and how to get there, along with a stop at a local favorite Barney's Beanery. A sort of restaurant/bar that is very popular. We ate some good food and were able to find out how to get to work before actually having to go Monday morning. That night we had a barbecue at Heidi's house which let us meet a few former interns. This was awesome to hear from previous interns who now work and live out here.

Overall orientation weekend was a blast!
(Pano)

The Hollywood Bowl

For our first class trip we spent an evening at The Hollywood Bowl. The Bowl is a natural amphitheater that has been host to many legendary acts. During our visit we heard the music of 'The Films of Paramount Pictures'. Hearing a live orchestra accompany some of the most iconic films of our time was, to say the least, moving. It's amazing to realize the impact that a soundtrack has on the movie-going experience. This, coupled with the incredible scenery, was an incredible welcome to Hollywood.

During our visit we also had the opportunity to chat with former interns about their experiences. These interns were incredibly engaging and were a source of comfort at the beginning of our adventure here. This world can seem intimidating at times and it is always nice to hear stories of success. Also, it is nice to hear these stories from people who were interns only a couple of years ago. They are not only an incredible asset but are also really fun to talk to!
(Melissa)

Moving to LA

It's hard to believe we've been out here over a month now. If I think back real hard-like, however, I can give prospective interns a few tips on moving out here.

• Pack light. Seriously. This is the most important tip I can give you. You're going to be working full time, and you'll only be here three months. I know you love 90210, dude, but do you really need The Complete Series taking up that shelf space? Pare it down.
• The usual boring automotive stuff holds true, especially if you're driving out from a few states over. Checked your fluids? Got some spare oil in the trunk? If you don't know a lot of this stuff, your car-obsessed brother can help you out. For once.
• Another car thing: give yourself a few days and see the country a bit. We started in Denver and stopped in Durango, Colorado, which is a great spot, and Barstow, California, which... not so much. But the point stands.
• You made it to LA. Explore! There's so much to do here it blows my mind, and I still haven't seen a tenth of the stuff I want to. Ask people at work what they do, and try to avoid going the usual touristy route. The Grauman's Chinese and stuff like that are great, once, but LA has way more to offer.
  

Days

When deciding to intern there are many decisions to be made. As part of this process you must decide whether to commit 5 days a week to one company or to split your time between 2. One company, five days a week means that you are always there. You're the go-to guy. Everyone is used to your presence and you are able to build those bonds a lot faster. Also, hopefully you are able to forge more solid contacts this way. If you split your internship you are grouped in with everybody else, as most interns are not able to be there five days a week. The bonds take longer to form and it is a struggle to learn that many more names. This makes the process a bit more challenging but it allows more opportunity for exploration. If you are not sure where you want to be in the business this is a great way to use your time and this opportunity to the fullest. So the real question is not five vs. two or three, it's 'do I know where I fit'?
(Pano)

Competition

This industry is run by competition. There exists a rivalry between the interns themselves, between the interns and the assistants, and then there is the competition between everyone else on a much larger scale. This is all really interesting to observe as an intern. It is especially interesting when you are not graduating in the spring and are not a direct threat to your fellow interns. Once you establish that you are not trying to take a job opportunity away from the intern next to you, you must make this clear to the assistants you work with as well. It is a hard line to straddle but it is a skill that must be learned. The competition battle is fought on every level of this industry. It just goes to show that there will forever be the fear of someone better and younger and more in tune coming along to dethrone you. Kind of a scary thought if you're on the throne...
(Melissa)

Pitchin'

You've done it. As a writer, you've written a successful spec, landed an agent, and you're ready to pitch.

Now what?

First off, you might be asking, "what is a pitch?" What say you, Wikipedia?

A pitch is a concise verbal (and sometimes visual) presentation of an idea for a film [or TV series], generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for a screenplay to be written.

As my boss has both pitched and been pitched to, she has a particular insight into what to do and what not to do when you're trying to sell your idea.

First off, have a unique voice to bring to the table. This unique voice, if you've got it, comes from your life experiences, or because you've honed it through years of writing, or from your wild and crazy world view. Whatever makes you you, you dig?

Secondly, you should know the world you've created like the back of your hand. Go beyond what you've written and think outside the box.

But not too outside the box. Make sure you don't brainstorm in the pitch and throw out unmarketable adjectives. Remember, you're selling a product! You can fight the network for your artistic integrity once you're on the air.

There you go. Now get working on that script!

Battle of the Sexes

Hey, my name is Pano Mintiloglitis and I am interning at Scott Free Productions. I am excited about pursuing my "dream" while out here in California.

It's interesting how quickly men and women are given different roles in this industry. As an intern I have seen a segregation of duties between the male and female interns. Men are good at running errands while the women are better suited for writing coverage. Ridiculous? Of Course. Will it change? I'm not sure. I am trying to broaden my duties and make people realize that I too am capable of writing. It's a difficult fence to straddle because although I want to be recognized as having a brain and the ability to write, I also don't want to ONLY write coverage. It will be a process to convince these people that one person can do both. Stay tuned...
(Pano)

Artists in Business

During my internship I have the opportunity to watch artists and designers involved in the marketing process. This is an interesting struggle as the artists are unaware of deadlines and are more invested in the artistic process than anything else. The marketing department on the other hand is not only concerned with deadlines, but also has to deal with restrictions placed on them by the brand and by the different parties involved. This would seem to hinder the artistic process. I thought it would. However it becomes an opportunity for the artists to think outside of the box and to create work that would not have been conceived if they were not forced to create something based on specific guidelines. This struggle that they endure is essential to putting a product on the shelves. Both parties must fulfill their duties in order to put out the best product possible.
(Melissa)

Phone Calls

Your mom or dad probably taught you not to listen in on phone calls when you were a kid. It's rude, invasive, and you always get caught cause they can hear you breathing. Not so in Hollywood!

Believe it or not, assistants are allowed and, in fact, expected to listen in on their bosses' calls. Why, you ask? By and large, it's so the assistant can keep up on what's going on with various projects, and so they can instantly update their boss's calendar as plans are made over the phone.

Also, they have a "mute" button, so there's no need to worry about creepy breathing sounds. It's movie magic!

Hello!

My name's Matt, and I'm also here interning in LA with the Ladder Program. I'm originally from Denver (or thereabouts) and I'm on my third year at the U. My internship is with 50 Cannon Production Group, a company you've probably never heard of, but hopefully will when the Fall '08 TV season rolls around. We're owned by Mike Newell, who directed Harry Potter 4, among lots of other good stuff.

Tune in for more internship related goods and random LA tidbits!

Melissa

My name is Melissa and I was born in Salt Lake City and was raised in Ecuador, Honduras and Peru. I am currently in my junior year at the U and am pursuing a degree in Film Studies and Business. Obviously I am conflicted in my interests and this experience is all about combining my two passions and seeing if there is a place for me in this world. I am splitting my internship here. Three days a week I intern with Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (Alpha Dog, United93, Death at a Funeral, Breach, Talk To Me, and soon to release Kite Runner). The other two days I work with New Line Cinema's Home Entertainment department (The Lord of the Rings, Rush Hour, and Austin Powers franchises as well as Wedding Crashers and Hairspray). The internships are obviously very different but that is what makes this experience even more beneficial. I am looking forward to learning more about myself and where I fit in this industry!

The adventure beings...

On August 18th, 3 University of Utah students arrived in Hollywood to participate in The Ladder Program - an entertainment internship program. They will be spending the next 13 weeks living, breathing, studying and working in the entertainment industry. Meet Matt, Melissa and Pano and hear about their exciting adventure...