About the Trip

Open: Friday, January 12, 2024 9:00am

Close: Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM (ET).

The School of Communication, the Career Center and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations invite you to apply for and participate in the 2025 AU SOC L.A. Intensive Program from May 14-20, 2025.

COST
$1,400.00 (not including transportation to and from L.A. and 5 meals). This program cannot be used for academic credit. Scholarships are available on a limited basis and are highly competitive.

PURPOSE
The L.A. Intensive is designed for the rising junior, senior, graduating senior, graduate student, or recent AU alum (either undergraduate or graduates 2023 or 2024) with a focus in the field of entertainment--including television and film--who wants to meet alumni and industry professionals through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events.

OUTCOME
By the end of the L.A. Intensive, the participants will have business cards and contacts for future conversations as well as a better understanding of

The industry and landscape for work in the field of communication, specifically television and film in L.A.
The opportunities and challenges of working and living in L.A.
How to launch one’s career in L.A. This understanding will be demonstrated in an exit interview at the end of the program.

2023 L.A. Intensive Information

Learn more about the 2023 L.A. Intensive from this informational session with Senior Director of Experiential Learning Sarah Menke-Fish and SOC Career Advisor Felicia Parks.

What Is The L.A. Intensive?

This program is designed for the rising junior, senior, graduating senior, graduate student or recent AU alum with a focus in the field of entertainment.

The L.A. Intensive is competitive. In 2024, 52 students applied and 14 were selected. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

14 students will be selected for the May 14-20, 2025 program.

This program is open to all American University students, graduates, and recent alums.

Undergraduate students with the completion of 75 undergraduate credit hours
Graduate Students
Recent graduates (either undergraduate or graduates 2023, 2024)

Requirements Include:

Students who are in good academic and judicial standing or recent graduates with review of student file
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Completion of 75 undergraduate credit hours
Completion of this application and essay, including the name of an AU faculty member who can be contacted as a reference
Résumé
Optional: Samples of work

Upon Acceptance
Acceptance to the program is conditional. There is a series of milestones that must be met before you can officially participate, these include

Proof of health insurance
Academic self-audit with SOC Advising Attendance at pre-departure meetings
Clearance of all restrictions to registration

Sample Schedules

2019 Schedule

Wednesday, May 15

12—5:30 p.m.: Students Arrive
6:30—8:30 p.m.: Young alumni @ AU West including Jeff Della Serra, A.J. Berna, and L.A. Intensive 2018 participants

Thursday, May 16

10:30 a.m.—1 p.m.: Site Visit @ CBS with Clyde Kaplan
1—3 p.m.: Lunch at The Grove
6:30 p.m.: Entertainment and Media Alumni Alliance Networking Reception @ the Intercontinental Hotel, Century City, featuring Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Eddie Leavy, Anedra Edwards, and Natalie Sasser.

Friday, May 17

10:00—11:30 a.m.: Danielle Gelber and Amber Glancy @ "AU West"
12—2 p.m.: Lunch and Conversation with Roya Vakili @ "AU West"
12—2 p.m.: Site Visit to Echo Lake Management with Claudia Myers
3 p.m.: Roy Lee @ "AU West"
6 p.m.: Dinner and Conversation with Barry Josephson, hosted by Barry and Brooke Josephson

Saturday, May 18

9:30—11 a.m.: Visit with Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro, writers for the reboot of Charmed
3—5 p.m.: Conversation with Rob Chiappetta and Michael Menachem @ "AU West"
5 p.m.: Dinner and Presentation with Andrew Greenberger @ "AU West"

Sunday, May 19

All day: Independent/Small Group Student choice day: Universal Studios, Disney, Santa Monica Beach, Getty Museum, Walk of Stars, meet with other contacts, coordinate logistics for staying in L.A. after the Intensive program concludes

Monday, May 20

11 a.m.: Afshin Shahidi @ "AU West"
2—5 p.m: Site Visit @ Nickelodeon Animation Studio
7 p.m.: Adam Goodman @ "AU West"

Tuesday, May 21

10 AM—1 p.m.: Site Visit @ Amblin Studios with Darryl Frank
2—4 p.m.: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
5 p.m.: Site Visit and Dinner @ The CW Network with Mitch Nedick, Dana Bramble, and Anedra Edwards

Wednesday, May 22

Morning: Depart L.A.

2018 Schedule

Wednesday, May 16

12—3:30 PM: Students Arrive
5:30—7 PM: Eddie Leavy @ “AU West”
7—10 PM: Young Alumni Reception and Program @ “AU West”

Thursday, May 17

11 AM—2 PM: Sony site visit
3:30—5:30 PM: Danielle Claman Gelber @ “AU West”
7 PM: Entertainment Media Alumni Alliance
Networking Reception featuring Danielle Claman Gelber, Evan Spiliotopoulos, and James Middleton @ “AU West”

Friday, May 18

9:30—11:30 AM: Barry Josephson @ “AU West”
2:45 PM: L.A. Landmark tour with Bonnie Winings @ Griffith Observatory
Evening: Taping of Bill Maher Show @ CBS

Saturday, May 19

Morning: Salvation Writers Room visit with Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro @ CBS
Afternoon: Russell Williams @ “AU West”
Evening: Dinner and presentation with Andrew Greenberger @ “AU West”

Sunday, May 20

9—11 AM: James Middleton @ “AU West”
11 AM to Evening: Free Time

Monday, May 21

10 AM: Tour Universal Studios
1—4 PM: Darryl Frank @ Amblin Studios
Evening: Universal Theme Park

Tuesday, May 22

10 AM—NOON: Adam Goodman @ “AU West”
Afternoon: Studio tour with Mitch Nedick @ Warner Brothers
Evening: Dinner and tour with Mitch Nedick @ The CW Network
9—10 PM: Charlie Wachtel @ “AU West”

Wednesday, May 23

Morning: Depart L.A.

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