Digital Scripted Entertainment Panel
JHRTS hosted a Digital Scripted Entertainment Panel at UTA on Monday, October 27th 2014. The panel was moderated by UTA’s Ali Barash with Mike Farah (Funny or Die), Benny Fine (The Fine Bros), and Brent Weinstein (UTA). The riveting panel focused on the creation of scripted digital content and the opportunities and challenges in the medium. Over 80 members of JHRTS participated in the event and posed an array of questions ranging from content creation to monetization.
The JHRTS/THR Next Gen Panel
On Wednesday November 12th 2014, JHRTS in conjunction with The Hollywood Reporter hosted The Next Gen Panel – Class of 2014 Television’s Top TV Executives. The panel was a great success. Per tradition, the panel was moderated by Matthew Belloni, Executive Editor at The Hollywood Reporter and featured the following panelists: Mark Ambrose (VP of Drama Development, 20th Century Fox TV), Kristen Campo (Partner/Head of Development and Production, Fabrik Entertainment), Tara Duncan (Manager of Original Series, Netflix), Jeff Grosvenor (Producer/Executive VP/Head of Development, Le Train Train), Amy Reisenbach (VP of Current Programming, CBS Entertainment), Matt Thunell (Director of Scripted Development, The CW). The panelists were both informative and fun, exhibiting a great rapport and dynamic. They discussed the value of mentors and how to find and cultivate those relationships, explaining that mentors are often organically formed relationships that can be found in both superiors and colleagues. They shed insight on how to make that next step from assistant to coordinator, advising us to put in the work and to do the job that we want, instead of doing the job that we have. The panelists also gave advice on when to move on – things to consider and how to evaluate your situation. All in all, it was an insightful, vibrant and well attended panel and we’re excited for its recurrence next year.
Human Resources Panel & Mixer
On Thursday, November 6th 2014, JHRTS hosted the Human Resources Panel & Mixer. We had panelists from Viacom (Aimee Cash), Paramount (Janet Sohn), and Fox (Aimee Hoffman) who shared the ins and outs of the hiring process. Topics such as “interview mistakes to avoid,” “what stands out on a resume”, and “how to switch fields” were discussed, with JHRTS LA Co-Presidents, Katie La Bouff and Meredith Willis, moderating.
After the Q & A, attendees were given the opportunity for more in-depth conversation with the panelists at the mixer immediately afterwards. All of the panelists brought colleagues from their respective human resources departments, who were also on hand to share their knowledge with attendees.
Nearly one hundred members and non-members attended the event, and each panelist mentioned they would love to make this a yearly occurrence. Overall, the event was extremely informative and valuable for all who participated.
A Conversation with Nina Tassler, moderated by Bela Bajaria
On Monday, November 17th 2014, the Junior Hollywood Radio and Television Society (JHRTS) hosted an intimate conversation with Nina Tassler, Chairman of CBS Entertainment, moderated by Bela Bajaria, EVP of Universal Television, at CBS Radford in Studio City. This exclusive event was open to only sixty JHRTS members who had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session following Tassler and Bajaria’s discussion. Topics included Tassler’s start in the industry, lessons learned during her rise, the importance of mentors, and how to ask the right questions.