Career Center and CTVA Connect Students With Chicago Film and TV Industry Resources

Campus Communications Staff / Mar 07, 2023

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On March 3, more than 150 Columbia students participated in “Chicago Works: Production Connections,” which featured a panel discussion and resource fair.

Chicago is known for being home to popular television shows like Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, The Chi, The Bear, and South Side as well as many studio and independent film productions. In fact, in 2022, film and television production in Chicago brought in $630 million dollars in revenue, a record. 

That’s good news for Columbia students interested in working in the industry, because that means that they are surrounded by a wealth of film and TV industry resources. And thanks to Columbia’s Career Center and Cinema and Television Arts department, many of those resources were brought right to students at “Chicago Works: Production Connections,” an event held on campus at Film Row Center on March 3.   

The day’s events featured a panel of professionals representing unions in the motion picture industry and Keslow Camera as well as a resource fair to give students tools needed for a sustainable film and TV career in Chicago. Representatives from organizations such as the Independent Film Alliance, the Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago Filmmakers, and the Chicago Screenwriters Network met with students to answer questions and share information.  

Columbia alums and Columbia-owned companies were also involved in the day’s events, including the following: 

  • Colette Gabriel '02 and Mae Kelke '22 - Keslow Camera (panelists) 
  • Vanessa King '06 - Local 769 (tabling participant) 
  • Thavary Krouch MFA '13 – Chicago Film Office 
  • Daufenbach Camera (alum-owned) 
  • Eleven04 – Film Lighting and Equipment (alum co-owned) 

This event represents just one of the many ways Columbia works to connect its students with Chicago’s vibrant film and TV industry.  

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