PC Film Minors Get a Taste of Hollywood

While most students spent their last week of winter break catching up with friends, or relaxing and watching movies, 11 film minors from the College visited California and were given the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the film industry as well as network with alumni.

The PC in Hollywood program was started by Fr. Kenneth Gumbert, Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film. Last summer, Steve Duryea '82, invited Gumbert to Hollywood to meet with California alumni, specifically those who had taken Gumbert's classes at the College and were now working in the film industry. It was during a reception that Gumbert had the idea to bring students from PC to California in order to meet alumni who now work in Hollywood.

Duryea came in contact with Todd Slater '97, an alumnus who owns his own production company in Hollywood. Together, Duryea, Slater, Gumbert, and Patti Goff, associate director and College internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services, put together the program. Eleven students participated this winter.

The students began the three-day program with a tour of Sony Studios in Culver City, which was originally home to the MGM Studios. At the studios, the students saw actor Adam Sandler, who acknowledged the group. Next, the students visited the Barbra Streisand sound stage, which Gumbert referred to as "the best acoustic recording studio in the country."

Students also met with producers, writers, directors, agents, and actors, all of whom discussed the nature of their careers. Some notable introductions included those with Jimmy Kimmel, director Mark Fusco, producer Michael Garrity, actor Eric Balfour, casting director Shannon Makhanin, and actress/producer Kerry Finlayson. The students also met Kary McHoule, president of Nigel Lythgoe Productions, which produces shows such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

Gumbert recalled the story McHoule shared about her start in Hollywood. Because McHoule's family owns funeral parlors around the Boston area, McHoule received her embalming degree. After receiving this degree, McHoule realized that she did not want to enter into the family business and went to Hollywood, where she built a new career, working from the ground up.

The students also had the opportunity to meet Peter Farrelly '79, producer, director, and writer of movies such as There's Something About Mary and Dumb & Dumber. At the meeting, Farrelly told the students about his writing methods and asked each of them what they wished to pursue in the future. Farrelly gave the students advice as well as encouragement.

The group also met with Charlie Jennings '04, who now works with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the largest talent agencies in Hollywood. Jennings recommended that students begin working in a Hollywood mailroom. He described it as a great way to get a foot in the door and to see how the business works.

The group also had the opportunity to dine at the home of Ed Cimini '76, senior vice president, actuary at Unitrin, and former Editor-in-Chief of The Cowl.