MENTOR
When I was a student at Yale, I knew nothing about the industry. I worked hard, made many mistakes, got some breaks, and learned.
Then when started as a graduate student at Berkeley, I kept getting questions from students about working in the industry. I soon realized there was a tremendous amount of knowledge I had gained over the years about doing just that. There is a lot of information out there on becoming an actor, a director, or a writer, but little information on how to start and develop a career working in the industry.
I realized that so much of Hollywood was an unwritten code. Specifically, there are ways to act, to speak, and to connect, and industry people usually know if you know.
I learn from everyone every day. So I’ve included some info on this site to help you.
The more you learn, the better off you are. The more you listen, the better.
I thoroughly believe we learn by osmosis!
As part of my teaching, I love to bring the industry to students and students to the industry. I’ve set up set up and lead dozens of visits to media companies including NBCUniversal, Warner, Disney, Facebook, Pixar, Google, DreamWorks, IMAX, YouTube, Skywalker Ranch, LucasFilm, Paramount, and the Family Guy office.
I constantly reach and connect my students and grads to the working industry. I teach students how to interact with professionals, and that alone serves them well. In just this past year, we’ve had students intern or work with the Academy Foundation program, HBOMax, NBCUniversal, Heyday (Harry Potter franchises), Legendary (Batman and Hunger Game franchises), UTA, Skydance (Top Gun: Maverick), Roddenberry (Star Trek properties), Secret Hideout (Star Trek series), Women in Film, Austin Film Festival, Netflix, Endeavor Creative, and Di Bonaventura (Transformers and GI Joe franchises).
I also continue to work with students long after they graduate as well. And they in turn connect with the current students of today.
Our program is supported by grants from Warner Discovery and are partners with Sony.
It all begins with reaching out.
