The Study in LA Program provides undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Media Arts the opportunity to study Hollywood history and the contemporary media industry through on-the-ground learning in Los Angeles. Students visit film studios, libraries and archives, museums, and other historical sites to explore the history of Hollywood. Students will also prepare for careers in the media industry by meeting with industry professionals to analyze current issues and trends shaping the media landscape.
Summer 2023 Program Video
Activities include:
- Engage with UNT alumni and other guest speakers from the media industry in one-on-one settings where students learn more about what they do and how they have made their careers in Hollywood
- Conduct research at the Writers Guild Foundation Library, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences archives at the Margaret Herrick Library, and the UCLA Film and Television Archive
- Tour the Academy Museum, Warner Bros. studio, Sony studio, Paramount Pictures studio, Television Academy, and other significant locations in Hollywood
- Attend a taping of live television show
- Conduct interviews with individuals in the industry; do independent research; and investigate job and internship opportunities
- Have weekends free to explore all that Los Angeles has to offer!
Housing:
Students and the TA will stay in UCLA residential housing which has 24-hour security, classrooms, and breakfast and dinner at the dining halls included.
Press:
"Mean Green Movie Magic: Media Arts Students Traveled to Hollywood to Study the Industry in Which They Hope to Work." North Texan. 7 September 2023. https://northtexan.unt.edu/node/24679
SUMMER 2024 PROGRAM INFORMATION
Will take place during Summer Session 5W II (June 24-July 26)
Run by Dr. Jennifer Porst and TA Brendan Reed-Crabb
Program Timeline
Students enroll in two three-credit MRTS 4000 level courses:
- MRTS 4415: Topics in Film and Television Studies (Hollywood History)
- MRTS 4450: Topics in Media Industry Studies (Contemporary Hollywood)
Week 1: The class meets in person at UNT in Denton for orientation and prep work for our time in Los Angeles
Week 2: Students work independently conducting research to prepare for interviews with the industry professionals we will meet with in L.A. and to explore the collections of the archives and museums we will visit
Weeks 3-4: Experiential learning in Los Angeles. Monday to Friday we connect with alumni of UNT's Media Arts programs and other professionals in Hollywood to provide a unique learning experience that, for students who want to pursue a career in Hollywood, will help them make the transition from UNT to Los Angeles. We also visit sites like the Academy Museum, Margaret Herrick Library, tour studio lots, and, as long as there are no labor strikes happening, hopefully attend the taping of a TV show.
Weekends and evenings students are free to explore Los Angeles and all of the amazing media related events and resources there including: screenings with filmmakers Q&As, live music and comedy shows, visit Disneyland or Universal Studios, or hike to the Griffith Observatory to see the Hollywood sign.
Week 5: Students work virtually to wrap up their coursework
SUMMER 2024 PROGRAM APPLICATION
Applications accepted from 9 AM Monday, February 5th until 11:59 PM Friday, February 23rd
Use this link to apply: https://unt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erpkue51a1fhhwa
Interviews conducted and acceptances sent out in March, and registration for the classes begins March 18
Enrollment requires permission of instructor, so students must go through the application process and be accepted in order to receive the code required to enroll. For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Porst: Jennifer.porst@unt.edu
