We understand that the Theater Department is considering a smaller workshop in January in Los Angeles. This initiative will focus on theater students and actors while offering an acting curriculum if the workshop takes place.
We would like to emphasize that our curriculum in the School of Film and Television is designed to facilitate a smooth transition from academic studies to professional careers, with a strong focus on the filmmaking process and related media-making. It is not uncommon for a directing student or a screenwriting student to also have aspirations to act. As such, we offer a diverse range of courses that cater to a variety of interests, and our program includes a significant number of film students, as well as students from across the college eager to explore the following curriculum.
Our curriculum is dynamic and adapts each semester to reflect the evolving interests, changing industry landscape, and career aspirations of our students. For example, this semester, we have two students dedicated to pursuing professional acting careers, who also have interests in directing and stand-up comedy. In the spring, we anticipate nearly sixty students, allowing us to provide a broader range of topics centered on film and television while also encompassing various entertainment professions.
This upcoming spring, our curriculum will consist of three required courses and one elective. The required courses are as follows:
- Internships
- Career Development
- LA Speakers Series
The spring electives include (students will be required to enroll in one of these):
- Marketing – covering topics such as personal branding and marketing for film and television.
- Negotiations – a business course focusing on understanding contracts.
- TV Writing
- LA Pitching
While these classes are not specifically designed for acting students, they do involve engagement with the acting world. We certainly encourage students to ask questions that align their learning with their specific interests.
To put this into perspective, we currently have students from various disciplines, predominantly film and television, but also from marketing, gaming, TV writing, and graphic design. To enrich the learning experience, we invite guest speakers who can provide valuable insights relevant to this diverse student body. However, it is ultimately up to the students to guide their experience by asking questions and shaping their learning path. Our upcoming sessions will feature a talent agent, an actor, an actor's manager, and professionals such as producers, directors, and an editor. It is important to note that our program is not akin to the Actor's Studio and is not exclusively focused on acting. We engage professionals from various industry sectors and emphasize how to transition into a creative career. This approach allows students to tailor their experiences according to their individual career interests.
While we do not delve into the specific craft of acting, we provide a unique opportunity to understand the Los Angeles entertainment landscape and how it can benefit students from Columbia. We would also like to point out that a significant challenge for aspiring actors is securing internships. Each student is required to complete an internship, and we offer a one-credit pre-departure course to help students prepare for this process (that accepted students take two semesters before they arrive in L.A.). While our program does not get internships for the students, students are expected to research, prepare, and secure their internships, with our consistent support and guidance. Although formal acting internships are rare, acting students can gain invaluable experience in areas such as casting or related fields like wardrobe, makeup, and screenwriting.
Lastly, we'd like to emphasize that the Semester in Los Angeles (SiLA) program fosters an environment where networking is a crucial component of the experience. This is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students and professionals who can assist you, particularly as an actor just arriving in Los Angeles.
We invite you to consider how our program might align with your aspirations, and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our community. If you find it helpful, we would be happy to arrange a Zoom call.