Editor: JHRTS (the junior membership of HRTS) has had a very busy spring to date. Below is a brief recap of our junior membership’s activities the past few months! For more information on JHRTS membership and activities click here.
Cupid’s Clock Speed Networking: 2/11/16
On Thursday, February 11th we hosted “Cupid’s Clock Speed Networking” which put a fun spin on traditional speed networking.
Each member’s name tag displayed a specific time (i.e. 11am PST) and at five minute intervals, members were asked to find someone who shared a similar trait (i.e. both members were “AM’s”).
Thus, people were shuffled around the room in a random but orderly fashion. After several rotations, we segued into a traditional mixer where people could either continue the conversations from the game or catch up with colleagues. We had a good turnout at Bugatta and noticed a lot of great conversations warming the room. Several members were vocal about having more of these types of mixers in the future and were complimentary of the evening.
Heal the Bay Beach Clean Up: 2/20/16
JHRTS joined one thousand Heal The Bay volunteers for a successful Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup on February 20th. The event collected over 290 pounds of trash from the shoreline of Venice Beach. The JHRTS LA Philanthropy team is looking forward to the next cleanup on June 18th.
Westside Mixer: 3/1/16
On Tuesday, March 1st, we hosted our Pilot Season/Westside Mixer with a crowd of 150 JHRTS members and non-members in attendance. The venue (Bru Haus) was officially at capacity and the owner pulled us aside at one point thanking us for bringing in the extra patrons, a rarity for their Tuesday night crowd. The bartenders created a specific happy hour food/drink menu for JHRTS attendees and even gave an additional discount off of each individual bill at the end of the night. The buzz we kept hearing among JHRTS members and non-members who attended was how grateful they were for a mixer finally on the westside part of town. While crowded, the venue layout worked out pretty well for networking purposes as people kept running into friends and passing the conversational baton to new acquaintances, a handful of whom were prospective members we overheard are now interested in signing up for a membership.
Center Theater Group: An Evening of Theatre & a Mixer: 3/18/16
On Friday March 18th, 2016, JHRTS were welcomed by Center Theatre Group’s Young Producers’ Circle for an evening of sparkling conversation and intellectual engagement at the play WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD, an experimental venture that CTG incubated in-house with playwright and screenwriter Sheila Callaghan. Members of both organizations mingled and enjoyed a themed photo booth to commemorate the event. They engaged in spirited discussions about the increasingly-fluid movement of playwrights between stage and screen, the enriching experience of live theatre, and the future of the television and theater businesses. They look forward to a blossoming affiliation that is educational and entertaining.
Ace of Dogs Rescue Event: 3/19/16
On Saturday, March 19th, 24 JHRTS members teamed up with the Los Angeles based non-profit dog rescue organization ACE OF HEARTS at Petco in West Hollywood (ACE founded by Kari Whitman). They spent hours giving 100% of their attention to these sweet dogs who are looking for homes. On top of spending time with the dogs, walking them, and giving them treats, they also helped put together goodie bags for the dogs’ foster parents for the upcoming week as well as collect donations from patrons. Several dogs got adopted, and a handful of people signed up to be foster parents! One of the JHRTS volunteers is even considering adopting one of the puppies from a litter that was dropped off by a Los Angeles citizen with no where else to turn. The next Ace of Hearts/JHRTS volunteer event will be in July.
Entertainment News Panel: 3/23/16
On Wednesday March 23, 2016, JHRTS brought together 6 leading producers from the top rated entertainment news magazines at March’s Entertainment News Panel. Moderated by ‘E! News’ International’s Magda Liszewska, the panel brought together ‘Access Hollywood’s’ Diana Dasrath, ‘Access Hollywood’s’ Robin Radin, ‘Entertainment Tonight’ & ‘The Insider’s’ Joe Siyam, ‘Extra’s’ Steve Sunshine and ‘Celebrity Page’s’ Jaymes Vaughan. The journalists shared colorful anecdotes and advice from their many years of experience in the field. They explained demographics, social media strategy, the importance of exclusives and the misconceptions of entertainment news to the engaged audience. The panelists brought their fascinating and diverse perspectives to the panel.
A Guide to TV Writing Programs Panel: 3/30/16
On March 30, 2016 JHRTS overflowed CAA’s theatre with over 200 attendees for the annual “A Guide to TV Writing Programs” panel. Our 5 panelists were all female executives from HBO, CBS, NBCUniversal, FOX, and Disney. This candid conversation included specific examples of the “do’s and dont’s” when applying and interviewing for their program, to the process after one is accepted. Our co-moderators gave a unique perspective, sharing insider experience from their time in the Warner Bros. Writing Fellowship. It was inspiring to hear about their journey and how it led to becoming staff writers, and even selling their own pilot. Our participants were so thrilled with the turnout and audience questions, that they all expressed interest in participating next year.
Drinks with a Board Member: 3/1/16-3/31/16
Throughout the month of March, all of the JHRTS board members separately sat down with 2-3 JHRTS general members for a casual coffee or drinks. This was a new initiative specifically to generate a broader awareness of the Board’s function and activities, in addition to scouting for potential nominees to the Board. The event was open to all JHRTS members who expressed interest and the event was successful at connecting the board to the larger JHRTS organization. It also gave the Board members a sense of the JHRTS’s impressive diversity in it’s membership.
Reading to Kids: 4/9/16
On April 9th, 2016, JHRTS once again volunteered with Reading to Kids. Starting their Saturday off bright and early, about 12 JHRTS members donated their time to reading books and doing crafts with children kindergarten grad to 5th grade. JHRTS members were given the opportunity not only to inspire and motivate kids to read and practice literacy, but also gave them a chance to meet their fellow JHRTS peers in a small intimate. As a group, we love volunteering with JHRTS and look forward to continuing to do so in the following months.
Network It Forward: 4/13/16
JHRTS hosted its 3rd Annual Network it Forward on Wednesday April 13th at CAA. Universities in attendance included: Duke, Syracuse, UCLA, Temple University, Boston University, University of Miami, Chapman University, Pomona College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College and Scripps College. The event was filled with approximately 50 excited college students, eager to talk to our around 40 JHRTS members. The students could be heard buzzing around the room asking industry leaders an assortment of questions that will help shape both their college and professional career. The night also included tips and tricks from Hollywood Resumes, which allowed students to fine tune their resume and help get them a leg up on the competition. The students left with an understanding of the industry and connections with JHRTS members.
A Conversation with Kim Rozenfeld & Jeff Frost: 4/19/16
On April 19th, JHRTS hosted a conversation with Kim Rozenfeld and Jeff Frost of Sony Pictures Television to discuss the creative and business affairs sides of being at an independent studio. They talked about the shifting TV landscape and revenue model and offered a unique learning opportunity to a nearly packed house at ICM. Members had the chance to ask questions throughout, making it truly interactive and conversational. Kim and Jeff gave an encompassing and informative overview of the past, present, and future of content producing and licensing strategies.
Virtual Reality Panel: 4/25/16
JHRTS hosted its first ever panel focusing on the next phase of the entertainment industry’s evolution – virtual reality – on Monday, April 25th, 2016. Moderated by the incredibly funny Reggie Watts, panelists from 20th Century Fox, WME|IMG, Littlestar, Emblematic Group, Jaunt VR, and Felix & Paul Studios gave in-depth insight into their work in the field. Topics discussed included the wide range of technologies to bring this content to life, the many different forms and functions of VR, and where the money to fund the content is coming from. The audience inside CAA’s Ray Kurtzman theater was at full capacity, boasting a crowd mixed with long-time members and a handful of new faces to JHRTS that wanted to make sure they had the most up-to-date take on the VR world from key industry insiders. Everyone left with a great deal of valuable knowledge about what the future of entertainment has in store, as well as a galvanized excitement for the next phase of our industry.
Young & Hungry: An Inside Series Panel: 4/27/16
On Wednesday, April 27th, JHRTS members gathered at the CBS Radford Lot with David Holden, Eric Tannenbaum and Caryn Lucus executive producers of the multi-camera sitcom Young & Hungry for an intimate panel, Inside the Series: Young & Hungry. The panel, moderated by CAA’s Frank Jung, took place on the main set of the multi-cam comedy from Freeform. Panelists covered topics including developing and producing a successful comedy, running a writer’s room, and the importance of collaboration in the entertainment industry. The board looks forward to hosting future Inside The Series panels to give an up close look at what it takes to get a show from first pitch to series order.
Project Angel Food: 5/8/16
On Sunday, May 8th, several JHRTS volunteers teamed up with Project Angel Food to help put together meals for individuals in need all over Los Angeles County. Volunteers graciously spent a few hours on Mother’s Day morning working with a professional chef to chop, mix, scoop, and sauté ingredients catered towards special diets. They helped create enough food to feed around 1,500 people for an entire week, all while networking and meeting other members in a fun setting.
Navigating Unscripted TV Panel: 5/19/16
On Thursday May 19th JHRTS hosted an unscripted panel called “Navigating Unscripted” at WME. The panel consisted of four up and coming executives from Fox Broadcasting, WeTv, Wilshire Studios, and an agent from WME. Members learned how a show is conceived and the specific parts that a production company, agency and studio all play in getting the show on the air. They also were able to learn the difference between broadcast and cable, and the issues that they each respectively face. Each panelist was able to give insight on how their area operates and look to the future of reality programming. Members walked away with a wealth of knowledge on the unscripted process and tools that they can use as they create and pitch unscripted programming.
Brewery Mixer: 5/22/16
On Sunday, May 22nd, JHRTS hosted a daytime mixer at Downtown LA’s Angel City Brewery. About 65 people showed up on a Sunday afternoon – both members and non-members alike – to kick back and mingle with other young industry professionals. This was the first weekend mixer we’ve thrown, hoping the mood would be more relaxed and informal, and it really paid off – attendees weren’t rushing to get there after a stressful day at work, or rushing to get home afterwards either. A handful of guests mentioned that it was their first JHRTS mixer, and everyone really seemed to enjoy the brewery: an open-air space with a large upstairs area that our group had mostly to ourselves. There was plenty of room for our guests to stand or sit, or even play board games the brewery had on hand, which seemed to be a particularly great icebreaker. Overall, the mixer was a big success, and JHRTS looks forward to throwing more nontraditional mixers in different venues in the future!