Career opportunities

Career opportunities

Getting your big break in the ‘industry’ isn’t always as easy as
it seems in the movies. The UCLA School of Theater, Film and
Television kicks off Career Week ’95 with a host of panel
discussions including noted alums and entertainment
professionals.

By Rodney Tanaka

They’re out there, hiding in the shadows. They try to deny their
true nature, but their passion bursts forth.

"When we interview students many of them say that their parents
wanted them to go to law school or something practical," says Rich
Rose, co-chair of the UCLA theater department. "(But) we figure
there are a lot of theater, film and television types who are
really disguised as other majors."

These students can now throw off their disguises and learn about
the entertainment industry at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and
Television Career Week ’95.

Each day features panel discussions with professionals in the
entertainment industry, including screenwriters, agents, casting
directors and director Sidney Lumet.

The Tuesday panel consists of UCLA alumni who have written such
movies as Outbreak, Blink and The Mask.

"We’re lucky that we have so many prominent alumni in the
profession and they’re willing to come back and do this kind of
thing for our students," says event coordinator Joyce Thompson.

One such alumnus is Michael Werb, screenwriter of The Mask. He
will participate in a panel discussion of writers on Tuesday with
fellow UCLA alumni Robert Pool, writer of Outbreak, Dana Stevens
(Blink), Michael Colleary and playwrights Tom Jacobson and
Guillermo Reyes.

Werb graduated from UCLA’s Master of Fine Arts program in 1987.
"It was as grueling as it was rewarding," Werb says. "I got good
advice from all the teachers and the main thing was it gave you
some structure."

Werb translated his UCLA training into box office gold with The
Mask, a movie about a shy bank clerk, played by Jim Carrey, who
transforms into a cartoonish, rubber-faced hero with the help of an
ancient mask.

"I based the character on my own awful high school experiences,"
Werb says. "I wrote the script in six weeks and that pretty much is
what you see on the screen.

"I’ve had four or five other things that have been shot and they
don’t look anything like what I wrote," he continues. "Everything
fell together once Jim Carrey was cast. There wasn’t enough time to
change what I’d written."

Werb gives simple advice to potential writers: "Write. Do it
every single day even though it’s hard," Werb says. "Try and keep
it fun.

"You must not be afraid to be bad. Someone’s going to hate your
work," Werb adds. "You must have the product to be judged. That
separates the writers from the wannabes."

Werb’s professional advice composes one portion of the events.
Career Week opens on Monday with a conversation with Sidney Lumet,
the director of Dog Day Afternoon and Network. He will discuss,
among other things, how to have a successful career.

Wednesday’s panel features agents, managers and casting
directors with advise on how to find success in the entertainment
industry. Kevin West, the founder of The Actor’s Network, will
speak with students on Thursday.

"Kevin has all the facts having been an actor successfully for
some 10 years," Thompson, the event coordinator, says. "He has
information and advise on what your resume should look like, what
kind of head shots you should have, what a casting director wants
to see."

The panel on Friday delves into the digital revolution. "We’re
really getting into the new media," Thompson says. "Many animation
students are into the digital revolution."

The Career Week events are open to all UCLA students, and will
appeal to those interested in pursuing a career in entertainment as
well as those interested in talking with successful professionals
such as Michael Werb.

"I enjoy giving something back," Werb says. "I think my
experience in this crazy business might be helpful to one or two
people."

These people may now step forward.

EVENT: The School of Theater, Film and Television presents
Career Week ’95, April 10-14. Admission free. $5 parking in Lot 3.
Locations vary. Reservations required for Sidney Lumet only. Open
to all students. For more info call (310) 825-6127.