“The HWS was invaluable in giving me a better understanding of the vast world of Hollywood and allowed me to focus my college years on what I now wanted to do in the film business. Plus, it gave me a list of names who I could call & shamelessly bother when it came time to move to Los Angeles.”
David H.
Communications 1988
HWS 1987

“If anyone is thinking about moving to LA, I don't think they could make a better decision for their career and their move to LA, than the Seminar.”
Dyan C.
RTF 2002
HWS 2001

“My goal is to get work on a television show, so hearing how the directors work with actors and what the TV industry is like was up my alley!”
Amy G.
T&D 2001
HWS 2001

“This was such an incredible experience. It is invaluable and a perfect compliment to finishing my graduate program.”
Maggie C.
MFA 2001
HWS 2001

“I attended the Hollywood Seminar after my junior year at UT. It was eye-opening, awe-inspiring, the perfect answer to all of my questions. If nothing else, the seminar made the mythic fantasy of moving my life to California to pursue a dream into an organic, actual reality. I met a Texas-Ex who came to speak to us. He had just given a very inspiring speech to all of us and I just wanted to thank him and tell him that he had made an impact. He told me to call him as soon as I moved out because he'd love to show me around where he works and "strategize" about how to get my first job. I did just that. He showed me around the major studio that he works at, and we strategized. He gave me a handwritten paper that he had jotted the names and numbers of four people on. Through one of those people, I got my very first job and have had dozens, literally dozens of offers from that person and the others from the list.”
Andrew L.
RTF 2003
HWS 2002

“One of the best things that I walked away with from the Seminar was the friends that I made that week. Several of them have become my closest friends out here in Los Angeles. It was great to have more people that I knew once I actually made the move. If I hadn't come to Seminar, I would have been pretty lonely at first, but because of the friendships made there, I moved from state to state with friends that I would have never made at UT due to the size of the campus. Not only did we share the excitement of starting on pursuing our dreams, but we also shared the love of our school!!!”
Megan B.
T&D 2003
HWS 2002

"Listening to the assistants talk and the round table (discussion)
especially helped because these people were not very far removed from me in age and coming professions. I would totally recomend the HWS for
anyone contemplating life in LA and life in the entertainment industry."
Kathy K.
RTF 2003
HWS 2003

“I found the Seminar to be crucial for those of us who have no connections and know little if anything about what it takes to succeed in the film or television industries. The Seminar coordinators manage to assemble and organize over sixty-five speakers to take time out of their overly busy schedules to come and give their two cents and listen to the
questions and concerns of those eager minds about to graduate, or who have recently graduated college. I found the speakers to be informative, reassuring as well as realistic, and some were even laugh out loud entertaining. The accommodations are convenient and in the heart of Hollywood. The activities were engaging, educational, eye-opening, many of them exciting, and all of them were new. I say, amen, hallelujah and thanks and praises all around the campfire! I highly suggest you attend the Seminar.”
Travis W.
RTF 2003
HWS 2003

“The Hollywood Seminar was well worth the time, effort, and money. I still cannot fathom the hustle it must have taken the Seminar coordinators to produce such an impressive line-up of speakers. If you want to be in the same room, and hear from, some of Hollywood’s movers and shakers, then this seminar is the place to be.”
Chike O.
Law 2003
HWS 2003

“The best part is the networking with the former alumni and the support that you get the minute you step off the plane. I recommend the Hollywood Seminar for anyone who is even remotely thinking about a career in the entertainment business. You will see everything you learned in school, including internships, in a new light. The seminar helped me focus on my short and long term goals.”
Jeffrey H.
RTF-T&D 2006
HWS 2004

“Hollywood Seminar gave me an insight into the LA entertainment industry that I would have otherwise had to find out through trial and error. I met so many people who have the same interests and goals as myself. It’s nice to know that you're not alone in a big city like LA. With the info that I learned, like how much I need to have in the bank, what to do about car registration, etc., I feel like I could move to LA with no problem. And I know I'd have people I could connect with socially and business-oriented through our Texas Exes chapter.”
Alexandra C.
RTF 2005
HWS 2004

“The Hollywood Seminar gave me a realistic view of Los Angeles, not by outsiders but by people who actually have a first hand knowledge of the industry. I got the chance to speak to people in all fields from editors, agents, to directors. Every piece of information the Hollywood Seminar crew gave me was useful in my decision to move out to Los Angeles. I still pull out the packets we received.”
Tessa P.
RTF 2004
HWS 2004

“…if you are even remotely considering moving to Los Angeles, go to Hollywood Seminar. LA is LA…and very different from Texas. HWS provides you an opportunity to see the city and the business in a structured environment, unlike anything taught back at UT. You may end up deciding this is it, I have to be here, or, you might realize LA is not for you, and save yourself the time, money, and energy it would take you to move out there in a permanent situation…”
Abby L.
RTF 2005
HWS 2004