Marissa Muchnok, Pitt in LA: The American Film Industry Summer 2023
For my Global Studies program, I participated in Pitt in LA: The American Film Industry. I chose to apply to this program because I was a senior Film and Media Studies major as well as a Communications and Rhetoric major, and I was able to participate in the April graduation ceremony and then participate in Pitt in LA afterword, and then becoming officially done with school by the end of June. This program was different from most others because it does not actually entail a trip outside of my home country, the United States, but rather to the city of Los Angeles, California. It was also only a 4-week program during the month of June instead of an entire semester long study abroad. And being that I am from the Pittsburgh area and had never been anywhere out west, it was a huge deal for me to travel such a far distance by myself for the first time.
I think the things that stand out the most to me about this program are its location and curriculum. I think that it is great that Pitt has created this film program so that film student have the chance to visit Los Angeles because that is the most essential place to be when studying or creating film and attempting to learn about the reality of the industry, being that LA is the epicenter that it all revolves around. And the curriculum was also very unique because of the nature of the industry. As a part of our course work, we were given the opportunity to interact with a number of real professionals and get a genuine insight into many different roles that as a part of the business and creative aspects of the industry. This was especially helpful for people to figure out what they truly are interested in and how to begin a career doing what they love. For me, Pitt in LA was the perfect steppingstone to bridge the space between practicing filmmaking in a classroom setting and getting started in the real world.
Overall, LA was an amazing place to be, and I am grateful to have experienced touring the numerous studios and production companies that are based there. The city offers a diverse array of filming locations, from urban landscapes to picturesque natural settings, making it a versatile backdrop for a wide range of movie genres. LA also has a diverse population, which is reflected in its film culture. The city’s multicultural fabric is often showcased in movies, making it a hub for stories that explore different perspectives and backgrounds.
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