This summer, non-UT students can get a taste of the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle and learn the tricks and the trade of showbiz, all while earning college credit.
The University of Texas-Los Angeles is a semester-long, study abroad-type program based in the entertainment capital of the world. Through lectures and internships, students learn the business and commercial sides of the entertainment industry. The program accepts about 45 students per semester and has now extended its enrollment to students at 20 other universities including Texas schools Trinity University, Southern Methodist University, Rice University and Southwestern University.
The program's executive director Philip Nemy said connections made while studying in L.A. have helped UT graduates land jobs at Atlantic Records, MTV and ABC.
"If you're Steven Spielberg, then yes, you can live anywhere you want," he said. "But L.A. and New York are the major markets. You don't have to come to Hollywood to get a job in the business, but you have to assess how successful you will be if you work for a smaller market."
Nemy said the program will accommodate non-UT students to keep up with the competition.
Ithaca College of New York and Emerson College in Boston also operate full-time Los Angles-based residential programs.
"Showbiz is about getting your foot in the door," Nemy said. "It's all about who you know. We want to increase our pool of resources and networking contacts by opening the door to non-UT students."
Matthew Berndt, director of placement for the College of Communication, said a student from Australia has enrolled for this semester.
"Students overseas recognize the quality of education that UT provides," he said. "If there are seats available, then why not let them enroll? But UT students will always get first priority."
Radio-television-film senior Matt Mider said it is unfortunate UT students have not taken full advantage of the program. Last semester he interned with the production company Broken Lizard, which produced movies such as "Beerfest" and "Super Troopers."
"It was a great experience," Mider said about the program. "L.A. is notorious for being a tough city to break into. It may seem scary at times for people thinking about moving there, but with the program you have the safety net of school."
All students in the program are required to enroll in the internship course as well as three academic courses to maintain full-time student status. All undergraduate and graduate students who successfully complete Introduction to Media Studies and have at least 60 credit hours are welcome to apply.
The program's next information session is March 17 at 4 p.m. in the College of Communication LBJ Conference Room.
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