CSUN to Host Workshops on How to Succeed in the Entertainment Industry
Tim Russ
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the California State University Entertainment Alliance to host a morning of workshops designed to offer students and members of the public advice on building successful careers in the entertainment industry.
The free event, organized by CSUN’s Department of Journalism, is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, in Manzanita Hall, located at the southwest corner of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.
“Those leading the workshops are all successful in their careers, and they will share the dos and don’ts that they have learned as they have advanced in their particular fields,” said CSUN journalism professor Benjamin Davis, one of the event’s organizers. “This is a wonderful mentoring opportunity. It’s like someone putting an arm over your shoulders and sharing insights into how to succeed.”
Eunette Boone
Three workshops will be held concurrently at 11 a.m., and they will offer insights into three specific areas of the entertainment industry: entertainment reporting, in the Aronstam Library of Manzanita Hall; screenwriting, in room 170 of Manzanita Hall; and acting, in room 217 of Manzanita Hall.
A second acting workshop will take place at noon in room 170 of Manzanita Hall. The workshop will be part of a special, one-hour taping of “The Hustle” radio program and will feature acclaimed actor, director and musician Tim Russ.
Russ, best known for his roles as Lt. Commander Tuvok on “Star Trek: Voyager,” Frank on “Samantha Who?’ and Principal Franklin on the Nickelodeon live-action TV sitcom “iCarly,” will be joined by CSUN film professor Nate Thomas, as they talk with “The Hustle” host Eunette Boone about how to build a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Oscar Garza
Boone, a successful television producer and writer, is leading the earlier workshop on screenwriting. Boone has served as a writer and producer for a number of successful TV shows, including “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Roc,” “Living Single,” “The Parent ‘Hood,” “The Hughleys,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Cuts” and “One on One.” On “The Hustle,” which can be heard on KCSN’s HD3 channel, Boone queries her guests — successful entertainment industry professionals — about their careers, and solicits tips for her listeners about how to break into the business and succeed.
Oscar Garza, senior producer for 89.3-FM KPCC’s show “The Frame,” will share best practices for using public broadcasting to report on the entertainment industry. “The Frame” explores the impact movies, music, arts and entertainment have in Southern California.
Nikki Crawford
Actress Nikki Crawford, who has appeared in “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Applause for Miss E,” “H+,” “Happily Divorced,” “Legit,” “Switched at Birth,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “Criminal Minds,” will discuss how to be a “working actor” in Hollywood.
The workshops are part of CSUN’s continuing effort to help fill the diversity pipeline into the entertainment industry, Davis said.
The California State University Entertainment Alliance seeks to prepare students to work in the creative, business and technical areas of California’s multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry.
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