SVA in LA puts storytelling students in the room with top filmmakers

We shot off some questions to Sal Petrosino, who runs the annual SVA in LA trip. The excursion is a fantastic resource for students, offering a chance to network and learn in a town packed with storytellers. Our own Jon Bero recently took advantage of the trip, as seen in this pic…

If you go to SVA, take advantage of SVA in LA. If you don’t go to SVA, apply today — applications for MFAVN are still open!

Here’s the interview with Sal. Enjoy!

What’s the story behind SVA in LA?
Three years ago, the Executive Vice President, Anthony Rhodes, asked me to create a one-week Spring break program that would present a life experience to our students by putting them in real world environments where they could meet and interact directly with top shelf Film and Animation artists in Los Angeles.

There were several goals to the program, one was to demystify the journey of the student by hearing from the professionals themselves on how they attained their success. Another goal was to enlighten students by learning from the professional their approach to their craft and the step by step realities of what it takes to achieve success. Another aspect of the program is to connect and network students to the very people that could provide guidance and internship opportunities down the road. Lastly, by having an SVA presence in LA, the program nurtures and promotes professional relationships and expands the SVA community.

How does the program work?
Students apply and register for the SVA in LA program starting from the beginning of the academic school year. They complete the form on line through our SVA Webstie, meet with me directly and pay the cost of the program to Student Accounts thus becoming officially registered in the program.

How do you determine where the students will visit?
The first year was the most challenging in initiating contacts and connecting with industry professionals and the Hollywood studios. Through friendships, alumni, recommendations and networking, we have established a top shelf core of industry professionals who we now have personal and direct relationships with including: Director Bryan Singer, Director Mortem Tydlum, Producer Randall Emmett, Composer Michael Giacchhiono, Animators Alex Kupershmidth, Tom Sito as well as Fox Studios, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks and Disney Animation Studios. The biggest challenge of the program is scheduling these artists around their busy schedules. The analogy is of a race car driver who makes a pit stop just for you.

This year we added the ASC Cinematographers Union who hosted our students with a panel of some of the most prestigious cinematographers in the film industry including legendary cinematographer and two-time academy award winner Haskell Wexler. Even though these relationships have been established, we will continue to expand and evolve the program.

Where can our readers find out more about the program?
The SVA in LA program is listed on the SVA website, Film Department website, fliers and posters around the SVA campus. Students can also contact me directly or stop by office, room 500 in the main 209-East 23rd st building.

Thanks for chatting with us, Sal! We look forward to hearing more success stories from SVA in LA for years to come.

Apply to MFAVN now and enjoy opportunities like SVA in LA. http://www.sva.edu/graduate/mfa-visual-narrative'” width=”470″ height=”353″ />

If you go to SVA, take advantage of SVA in LA. If you don’t go to SVA, apply today — applications for MFAVN are still open!

Here’s the interview with Sal. Enjoy!

What’s the story behind SVA in LA?
Three years ago, the Executive Vice President, Anthony Rhodes, asked me to create a one-week Spring break program that would present a life experience to our students by putting them in real world environments where they could meet and interact directly with top shelf Film and Animation artists in Los Angeles.

There were several goals to the program, one was to demystify the journey of the student by hearing from the professionals themselves on how they attained their success. Another goal was to enlighten students by learning from the professional their approach to their craft and the step by step realities of what it takes to achieve success. Another aspect of the program is to connect and network students to the very people that could provide guidance and internship opportunities down the road. Lastly, by having an SVA presence in LA, the program nurtures and promotes professional relationships and expands the SVA community.

How does the program work?
Students apply and register for the SVA in LA program starting from the beginning of the academic school year. They complete the form on line through our SVA Webstie, meet with me directly and pay the cost of the program to Student Accounts thus becoming officially registered in the program.

How do you determine where the students will visit?
The first year was the most challenging in initiating contacts and connecting with industry professionals and the Hollywood studios. Through friendships, alumni, recommendations and networking, we have established a top shelf core of industry professionals who we now have personal and direct relationships with including: Director Bryan Singer, Director Mortem Tydlum, Producer Randall Emmett, Composer Michael Giacchhiono, Animators Alex Kupershmidth, Tom Sito as well as Fox Studios, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks and Disney Animation Studios. The biggest challenge of the program is scheduling these artists around their busy schedules. The analogy is of a race car driver who makes a pit stop just for you.

This year we added the ASC Cinematographers Union who hosted our students with a panel of some of the most prestigious cinematographers in the film industry including legendary cinematographer and two-time academy award winner Haskell Wexler. Even though these relationships have been established, we will continue to expand and evolve the program.

Where can our readers find out more about the program?
The SVA in LA program is listed on the SVA website, Film Department website, fliers and posters around the SVA campus. Students can also contact me directly or stop by office, room 500 in the main 209-East 23rd st building.

Thanks for chatting with us, Sal! We look forward to hearing more success stories from SVA in LA for years to come.

Apply to MFAVN now and enjoy opportunities like SVA in LA.