From learning from industry leaders and immersive field trips to hands-on internships and networking opportunities, 51爆料网's programs in Los Angeles have something to offer all students.
A look at a map would suggest that Syracuse and Los Angeles could hardly be more distant. But for many 51爆料网 students, the experience of living and learning in LA鈥攖he sunny entertainment capital of the world and an epicenter for culture in every form鈥攊s an integral part of their college journey.
Through the University鈥檚 Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, students have opportunities to explore the industries that interest them, expand academically and get a taste of life on the West Coast. They learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience in internships and connect with a huge and supportive network of accomplished alumni. Syracuse鈥檚 study away programs in LA allow students to experience the best of both worlds: a close and supportive community and extraordinary access into the expansive educational and professional opportunities of LA.
Ushered Into the World of an Actor
Santos Lopez's internship at the Latin Theatre Company helped her gain more insight into the entertainment industry.
Honna Santos Lopez 鈥�24, an acting major in the (VPA), says the has opened worlds of potential she never imagined possible. 鈥淔rom the very beginning, I鈥檝e been making connections with people I鈥檇 never meet if I weren鈥檛 part of the LA program, 鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am in contact with so many actors, producers and talent scouts. I was literally just speaking to an actor who is going to be in the new season of White Lotus and the fact that I met them, and now they actually follow me on social鈥攊t鈥檚 unreal!鈥� Santos Lopez says the LA program has helped her gain confidence. 鈥淎t first, it was hard for me to put myself out there, but I鈥檝e learned that alumni and other industry leaders really love sharing their wisdom and passing along their insights.鈥�
Santos Lopez, who was drawn to acting for how it can promote understanding and impact people鈥檚 lives, says she鈥檚 been pushed to new levels in her craft by the courses she鈥檚 taking, which she describes as hands-on and jump-right-in. And she鈥檚 gained insight into the entertainment industry through internships at McDonald Selznick Associates, a talent agency, and with the Latino Theater Company.
From the very beginning, I鈥檝e been making connections with people I鈥檇 never meet if I weren鈥檛 part of the LA program.
Honna Santos Lopez 鈥�24
During her internship with the Latino Theater Company, Santos Lopez learns how productions are made and about business aspects of theater.
Santos Lopez credits her faculty advisor, VPA professor Ricky Pak, for helping her secure the internship at the theater. 鈥淧rofessor Pak used to work with the Latino Theater Company, and when he heard I was coming to LA, he reached out to them and recommended me,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e accepted me with open arms鈥攊t鈥檚 been an incredible internship experience. I feel so grateful for all the support I鈥檝e gotten and all the opportunities that being part of Syracuse has made possible.鈥�
In Training for Sports Journalism
In the Newhouse sports media and communications program, Luke Backman 鈥�25 gains experience as a sports broadcaster for a range of sports in the Los Angeles area.
鈥淟os Angeles has every sport鈥攁s much as it鈥檚 known for Hollywood, it鈥檚 also known for sports,鈥� says Luke Backman 鈥�25, who is majoring in broadcast and digital journalism in the and aspires to a career in sports broadcasting. 鈥淚 knew this would be a great opportunity.鈥�
One of the most impactful aspects of his experience has been the sports production class he is taking with seasoned sports media executive Jeff Proctor. 鈥淭his has been the greatest class I鈥檝e ever taken. Professor Proctor has connections everywhere鈥攈e鈥檚 done Clippers games, Lakers games, the Angels, boxing鈥攁nd he brings in the greatest guests,鈥� Backman says. 鈥淭his course has given me a whole new perspective on sports production and really helped me understand the industry.鈥�
In his sports media pitch course, Backman and classmates produce weekly news caps for social media and learn to brand and market themselves.
Backman took an internship with MSM Productions, an Emmy Award-winning production company known for its sports-related storytelling, which complements his classroom learning with professional experience. 鈥淢SM Productions is doing the best of the best, the biggest of the biggest. This is an amazing place to be for someone who wants to be in sports media.鈥�
Backman has also appreciated the community fostered in the LA program. 鈥淭he Los Angeles program does a really great job making everyone feel included. We do events together鈥攚e toured Warner Bros.鈥攁nd we have dinners together. I鈥檝e made so many new friends and it really feels like a family,鈥� he says.
Set up for Success
Sam Clark 鈥�24 brought the skills and insights he gained during his semesters in LA back to Syracuse, where he is finishing his studies in film and television.
Sam Clark 鈥�24 is studying film and television through the , an initiative that makes it possible for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life in fully inclusive settings. For Clark, the LA experience was so rewarding that he extended his stay for two semesters.
Clark relished exploring the city with friends, experiencing movie premieres and insider access at a range of events, and the professional know-how he gained through his internships at Doug Robinson Productions鈥攆ounded by alumnus Doug Robinson 鈥�85鈥攁nd the management and production firm The Gotham Group. 鈥淭he LA program was such an awesome experience. It was really fun hanging out at the AMC at CityWalk, going to the Sony Lot, and meeting so many famous Syracuse alumni. I felt like I was living in a movie! 鈥� he says.
The LA program was such an awesome experience. It was really fun hanging out at the AMC at CityWalk, going to the Sony Lot, and meeting so many famous Syracuse alumni. I felt like I was living in a movie!
Sam Clark 鈥�24
Clark (center) appreciates the opportunities he had to attend industry events in LA, such as the AFI Fest, organized by the American Film Institute, where he met film directors Alejandra Vasquez (left) and Sam Osborn.
Now back on campus, Clark says his LA experience has shaped how he is finishing his last semester and what he鈥檚 looking forward to beyond. He is also building on what he learned through his coursework and professional activities. Clark serves as a video editor with Orange Television Network, a student-run organization, and is working on a short film with peers from a cinematic fraternity. He has secured a prestigious internship with American High, a film production company based in Syracuse, and is looking forward to working in the industry after graduation. 鈥淚 learned so much out there and made so many connections,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 hope I can help others who are looking to do the Syracuse program in LA鈥攊t鈥檚 just so amazing.鈥�
