By Roma Mandzyk
Some
might be surprised to learn that entertainment and media industry people like
film producer and studio chair Harvey Weinstein; Paramount CEO Brad Grey; NPR's
Ira Flatow and Terry Gross; and CNN's Wolf Blitzer spent their formative years
in Buffalo, studying at UB.
In
years past, a dedicated group of UB alumni working in the entertainment
industry participated in "Hollywood comes to Buffalo," a program that brought
UB alumni back to campus to teach classes, participate in panel discussions and
network with faculty, students, and alumni. While the program that took
place in Buffalo was quite successful, it was recognized that there was difficult
to get alumni with busy schedules back to campus for this type of program.
Now,
UB is heading to Hollywood to launch the first UB Coast To Coast Entertainment
& Media Symposium (UBC2C) to be held at Writers Boot Camp at Bergamot
Station in Santa Monica on June 27 and 28. UBC2C is open to the general
public, but targeting UB alumni and students, providing an opportunity for the
next generation to learn, network and explore careers in the industry with
Hollywood insiders.
Sponsored
by VarietyCareers.com, Writers Boot Camp, and the College of Arts and Sciences
at UB, UBC2C will feature hands-on/interactive workshops, including those on
acting, writing, stand up comedy, directing, music production, independent film
production and marketing, as well as new trends in media coverage of the
entertainment industry.
Registration
is $100 ($90 for UB graduates of the last decade and current UB Alumni
Association members) and includes one intensive workshop track led by an
industry expert, a Saturday evening networking cocktail reception featuring
entertainment by UB alumni, a Sunday keynote speaker and mentoring sessions. In
addition, registration cost includes Saturday and Sunday breakfast, lunch, and
snacks. Hotel discounts are available.
UBC2C
Hollywood is just the first of several diverse conferences that UB is committed
to producing in conjunction with their alumni over the upcoming five years,
including the next conference, UBC2C NY taking place in New York City and
revolving around the television industry and the performing arts.
Visit the
event website at http://www.ubc2c.com for more information
about the workshops, presenters, and to register online.
Photo:
Alan Zweibel, B.A. '72, multi-Emmy Award-winning writer/producer/director, who
began his career as part of the original "Saturday Night Live" writing team,
will be teaching a workshop in writing for comedy at UBC2C Hollywood. © 2002 University at Buffalo | Nancy J. Parisi
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