Camtastic Newsletter November 2024
Lights, Camera, Saluki! SIU Students, Alumni Go Behind the Scenes in Hollywood
By Journey Short, School of Journalism and Advertising
Hollywood glitz met Saluki grit this summer as Southern Illinois University Carbondale students experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the people and careers that fuel Tinseltown's star power.
Five students traveled to Los Angeles in June under the direction of Karla Berry, a professor in the School of Media Arts and director of Undergraduate Studies. They enjoyed the warm climate and famous landmarks. However, the real purpose of the elective class trip was to expose students to career opportunities in the nation's film industry capital alongside alumni who helped pave the way.
The trip included several notable highlights: the class toured the Warner Brothers studio, gained insider access to Netflix Animation's inner workings, and joined the audience for a live filming of the popular show "Masked Singer."
Alayna Hinman, a senior studying cinema, said it could be challenging for a person from Illinois like her to envision breaking into the industry in a place that can feel so mysterious and out of reach.
"In a good way, it takes some of the fantasy away," she said. "Everyone thinks of L.A. as this far-off place … Being out there, it's just a ton of people out there, and it makes it more real and connected." Hinman said it changed her perspective on what's possible and made her realize "I could do this one day, that could be me."
The Hollywood trek was once a popular mainstay at SIU, but it stopped suddenly a few years ago. Berry credited alumni, two in particular – Diane Eaton and Todd Abrams – with reigniting interest in the trip and helping make it a success.
"It was a big deal for some of them," Berry said of what alums sacrificed to show SIU students the city. "They had to drive an hour or two to come meet us. They had to make time in their day to show us around and talk to the students. The generosity was so palpable. They want to give back, and they feel strongly. They have a fondness for Southern."
Hinman said talking to SIU alumni in Hollywood made her realize how many doors a Saluki can open.
"It really just showed me how big of a network Carbondale has and how good it can be to be able to say that you went here," she said.
The students who made the trek had diverse backgrounds and interests, each bringing their unique personality. Though they were not well acquainted before the trip, the students became fast friends, and many remained connected. Their camaraderie helped make the trip a success.
"I couldn't have asked for better chemistry and participation," Berry said.
Ben Harsy, a senior studying cinema, said the most notable highlight of his experiences in Hollywood was hearing honest and realistic career advice from alumni and others. Students heard from a mix of people making a go of it in Hollywood, including writers, filmmakers, and actors.
"I really love that they chose to take their time to tell us their life lessons," Harsy said, including the real talk about how hard it is to break into the industry. "You have to be aware of these things, use your common sense, but enjoy your time down there." But rather than feeling intimidated, the experience inspired him to stick with it and push harder. "No matter what job you get into, it's gonna be worth it in the end," he said.