Students from Columbia College Chicago will once again have the opportunity to participate in the LA Speakers Series, held for the second year on the historic Fox Studios lot. This location is notable for being where films such as “Avatar” and “The Sound of Music” were produced.
The lecture series takes place at the William H. Fox Theatre, a venue that has hosted screenings by directors including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and George Lucas. While Semester in LA (SiLA) maintains its base at Sunset Las Palmas Studios—known for shows like “I Love Lucy”—the use of Fox Studios aims to further connect students with the entertainment industry.
Professor Kevin Cooper, director of Semester in LA, said: “At a moment when the entertainment industry is transforming in fundamental ways, opportunity belongs to those who believe they have a place in it.” He added: “Walking onto the Fox Studio Lot helps our students internalize that belief. Being here tells them: ‘You belong in this industry, and your voice matters right now.’”
Columbia’s Semester in LA program places students into direct contact with professionals across various creative fields through internships, networking opportunities, and coursework designed to bridge academic learning with practical experience.
A key part of SiLA is its weekly LA Speakers Series course. The class features guest speakers from different areas of entertainment—including directors, producers, agents, dancers, comedians, makeup artists, and costume designers—who engage directly with students.
Last year’s lecture series was led by Robert Atwood ’04, Head of Television at 21 Laps (“Stranger Things”). This year’s sessions will be moderated by Andrew Orenstein—a writer and producer whose credits include over 500 episodes of television such as “Malcolm in the Middle” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.”
Orenstein described his approach: “Even though I am the teacher, I am also a lifelong student, and I am excited to learn from these guests too. We are going to be covering a wide array of topics, and I am looking forward to hearing what questions our students come up with.”
The semester’s speaker lineup includes Leonard Dick (“Murder in a Small Town,” “Lost,” “The Good Wife,” “House”), agent Todd Berger who will discuss project financing and global market positioning at high levels within the industry; as well as producer Carol Baum (“Nine to Five,” “Father of the Bride”).
Orenstein emphasized exposure to varied expertise: “We are going to expose students to experts from all over the entertainment section — from writer/directors to producers to craftsmen — to really give students a broad spectrum of people.”
He also highlighted how holding sessions on site adds value: “Nothing is better sitting on the Fox lot in a world-class, famous theater, and hearing incredible stories from people who have reached the pinnacle of their careers. Each one of our guests is truly inspiring and passionate, and that can’t help but rub off.”
