For 14 SUNY Oswego students, Hollywood stopped being an idea or a vacation destination and became a place they could realistically enter as a career.

The annual three-credit Hollywood POV course, which culminates in a trip to Los Angeles, took place in March. The course offers behind-the-scenes insight into the entertainment industry, giving students the opportunity to visit major productions and engage directly with professionals.

Students also connected with alumni working in communications and entertainment on the West Coast during a dedicated alumni mixer.

Connecting with industry alumni

The alumni in attendance included Christopher Eastmen '22, Maggie Dolly '07, Charles Valentin Stulck '14, Jenn Lee '12, Jordan Rockower '14, Paul Condolora '82, Steven Tobler '08, Ashley Rath '07 and Bryan Liberty '14. Representing careers across television, streaming and entertainment strategy, these alumni shared insights and real-world perspectives.

Cinema and screen studies student Isabel Mulhern of East Hampton shared why she applied to be in the program.

“This trip was a great opportunity to network with professionals, learn more about areas I’m pursuing and gain exposure to new fields that sparked my curiosity,” Mulhern said.

“I was interested in this course hoping to network and see how the industry and the real world is, and I felt like I accomplished that,” added Chris Deluca, a broadcasting and mass communication major from Long Island.

Behind the scenes POV

Students were able to tour television studios such as Fox, Netflix, NFL Network and Warner Bros., as well as stadiums. Additionally, students were given masterclasses from alumni throughout these visits.

“My favorite place we visited in L.A. was SoFi Stadium and seeing all the operations behind the L.A. Chargers and L.A. Rams games,” Deluca said. “As someone who wants to be a technical director, it was really cool.”

Evolving program, stronger Cohort

The program has evolved since its founding in 2005, according to broadcasting and mass communication faculty members Micheal Riecke and Jennifer Fogel, who led this year’s trip.

What once started as a summer program, later shifted to a winter program, is now a spring course. Riecke has seen the benefits of this evolution firsthand.

“Summer was very expensive for students, and during winter we would meet for seven weeks then winter break would happen and we wouldn't see each other for a while,” Riecke said. “Spring has offered us the chance for faculty and students to meet seven weeks leading up to the trip … this year's group seemed more comfortable with each other from the beginning.”

Fogel added that having double the number of students than in previous years created a strong cohort.

“They found their shared common areas and network among each other,” Fogel said. “This is essential as most of their network is their fellow peers and current students here.”

Building bonds, expanding networks

That sense of connection stood out to students like Mulhern and Deluca.

“I didn't know most students prior, but we all quickly realized how rare opportunities like this are,” Mulhern said. “Not only did I leave the trip more knowledgeable about the industry, but I also was able to build meaningful connections with classmates I had only known casually, if at all.”

A central theme of the trip was the power of networking and its critical role in the media industry. When professionals and faculty were asked what matters most for students to build — a portfolio, technical skills or a network — the overwhelming answer was clear: a strong network.

“In the entertainment industry, connections are paramount,” Riecke said. “Your technical skills may not matter if you don't build a network to get your technical skills or portfolio shown in industry rooms.”

Learning from alumni

Mulhern felt inspired and comforted knowing she is following in alumni footsteps.

“It was inspiring to hear how they got to their current positions today,” Mulhern said. “To know they took the same courses and said yes to opportunities to get them one foot in the door closer to their goal was comforting.”

Deluca said he felt more assured and gained confidence from speaking to alumni.

“Speaking to them made me feel more comfortable introducing myself and talking about my goals and how I could end up in the same position as them,” Deluca said.

“Every time you say yes, it opens up possibilities for different opportunities,” added Fogel. “It was a common theme from all the alumni and professionals we met — that is how much behind-the-scenes work it takes.”

Masterclasses and mentorship

Students attended masterclasses led by alumni Jennifer Heftler '81, an executive producer and showrunner most recently working on the game show "Funny You Should Ask," and Condolora, an entertainment and gaming industry executive with experience at Warner Bros., Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and the Harry Potter franchise.

Condolora discussed his journey from Oswego to New York City and now Los Angeles, sharing the realities of the industry and the many turns his career has taken. He even invited students into his home.

“I learned a lot, including that he makes great brownies,” Mulhern joked. “Paul graciously took the time to speak to my classmates and me… learning about the network’s marketing approach was particularly insightful since many of us had grown up watching it during his time there.”

Heftler gave students insight into the world of television, particularly game shows. Her more than two decades of experience as a producer offered perspective on both the consistency and evolution of the industry over time.

Attendees left with a key takeaway: resilience is essential in this competitive field.

“Success doesn't happen overnight,” Fogel said. “You might have to be a production assistant or sleep on someone's couch. Success isn't always glamorous.”

Lasting connections

As the trip ended, students reflected on what they learned and began to consider new career paths — some they hadn’t previously imagined.

Even after returning to campus, the connections have continued.

“I was privileged enough to connect with a considerable number of alumni and professionals through LinkedIn and other social media throughout the week,” Mulhern said. “I was particularly fortunate to have found three during our meet-and-greet mixer.”

“I’ve connected with Ashley Rath,” Deluca said. “We talked a lot about the L.A. area, hockey, the industry and the world of production. It was really cool talking with her.”

Deluca added that the program provide an insider's view that lets attendees know how to pursue their Hollywood dreams.

“This trip is so important for students to experience simply because it shows you what the job is really like — especially in an area like Hollywood far away — hearing from people who started where you are,” Deluca said.

-- Written by Jose Vazquez Nava of the Class of 2027 for University Advancement