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Upcoming Events
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Coming soon...
Monthly Writers' Group
April 14
Harvard Mixer
April 29
Music in Film and TV Night
May 15
Short Film Night
June 5
Watch your email
for more details...
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What's New, Wildcats?
The NUEA started 2008 with a ton of momentum, and the year's been jam-packed with great events so far. We've got a brand-new website, a full calendar of events, and super-deluxe new membership cards. Plus, we're in the midst of our Sweet Sixteenth anniversary where $16 gets
you a full year's membership and access to all the benefits, from mixers and screenings to peer groups and workshops. There's never been a better time to be an NUEA member!
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New & Notable in the NUEA
Brand-New Resources & Member Benefits
You may have noticed something different around here recently. And no, it's not my new haircut, but thanks anyway. Your NUEA board has been working hard to develop new ways to serve you better. In case you haven't heard yet, here are a few of our newest additions:
After years of trudging through a rickety old web page, we've finally launched an all-new site with lots of bells & whistles. The new nueawest.org features an up-to-date calendar of events, information on our ongoing programs like Peer Groups and Short Film Nights, a Newsletter archive, and more. Be sure to bookmark the site and keep checking in, as we will continue to add new features. Thanks to Liz Lytle for all her hard work in getting this up and running! - Membership Cards & Discounts
Starting this year, when you sign up or renew your membership, you'll receive a wallet-size membership card that will grant you  access to NUEA events. Bring it with you and show it at the check-in table for quick, easy entry. If you have signed up for 2008, look for your card in the mail. If not, you can pick one up at the next NUEA event. This card also grants you discounts including: - 20% off membership to American Cinemateque - free legal consultaion from entertainment lawyer Henri Tartt - 10% off the rental cost for a high-quality filming space - and more! Click here to see a full list. New and recent alumni have used Facebook for years, and many others have joined as the site's popularity has grown. Now the NUEA has its own Facebook group, too! Click here to join our group and connect directly to hundreds of other NU alumni in the entertainment industry. Share contacts, broaden your network, and get updates on events through Facebook.  Check out our online store for all sorts of NUEA apparel. We offer a wide variety of t-shirts, mugs, caps, and buttons. All proceeds go to support the NUEA's programming and events. Wear yours with pride! |
Recent Events In Review
What We've Been Up To
The NUEA has been busy these past few months with lots of events. Here are just a few... Picketing with NU Writers During Strike - 1/30
The WGA writer's strike affected practically  everyone in Hollywood, from industry power-brokers to Starbucks baristas. To show solidarity with the writers and rally some NU spirit, a group of NUEA members joined the picket lines outside NBC Studios in Burbank. Over a dozen members marched, chanted, carried signs, and enjoyed free deep-dish pizza from Taste Chicago in Burbank. Thanks to everyone for their support!
Tea Party w/Stanford Alumni - 2/2As a departure from the typical "bar and booze" mixer, this classy event brought accomplished alumni from NU and Stanford together for an afternoon at Chado Tea Room near the Beverly Center. Attendees introduced themselves as tea was served, and the last hour of the event had everyone on their feet, mingling and chatting. It was a great success - thanks to Allie Adair and Amy Peterson for all their hard work!
Oscar Party - 2/24
The NUEA's annual Oscar Bash returned to alumni Michael Blum's lovely house in the Hollywood hills. Over 60 people mingled, enjoyed fine food and drink, and watched the awards show on several flat-screen TVs. And of course, our Oscar pool was a popular diversion.
Advance Screening of "College Road Trip" - 3/5
A lucky group of alumni got to see a pre-release screening of the new film starring Martin Lawrence and Raven Simone and directed by NU alum Roger Kumble. The private screening was held at the Spielberg Theatre within the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and featured a Q&A session with the director afterwards. Hitchcock Exhibit at the Academy - 3/14 The NUEA partnered with the NU Club of LA for a tour of the Hitchcock
Exhibit "Casting a Shadow" showing at the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills. The tour was given by exhibit
curator Will Schmenner from the Block Musuem at Northwestern (where the
exhibit originated). Afterwards, alumni mingled at Chakra with
cocktails and hors d'ovres and prizes were raffled with proceeds
benefitting the NU Dance Marathon charity, Bear Necessities, a
children's cancer foundation.
Short Film Night - 3/19
Our popular short film night continued in March with films from alumni
screening at the MBar in Hollywood. This installment featured films
that were made by Marcus Cochlan, Robert Boessel, and Fabio Ortega with
NU Studio 22 funding grants. The next short film night will be June
5th.
If you are involved with a short film, spec commercial, webisode,
music video or other short-form project, we would love to screen your
work at an upcoming Short Film Night. Send a DVD copy of your work to:
NUEA PO Box 691702 Los Angeles, CA 90069. Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to our events! Keep an eye out for more great ones coming soon... |
The NUEA Turns Sweet 16 This Year...
And YOU Get A Birthday Present!
2008 marks the NUEA's 16th year, and we're making you a special offer to celebrate!
Join or renew your membership for only $16!
That's right - sixteen bucks gets you access to all the events, benefits and discounts for the rest of 2008. Typically, membership costs $25 for recent graduates and $50 for all others - what a deal!
Click here to sign up or renew. Membership is valid through December 31st, so act now - the sooner you register, the greater your value! |
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Member Spotlight: Michael Hitchcock
 Writer, Producer, Actor
Some folks move to Hollywood with dreams to become an actor. Others have a burning desire to be a writer. But one NU alumni headed west with plans to produce and ended up juggling all three pursuits while still finding time to entertain US troops in Iraq. Here's his story...
Can you give us a quick rundown of your path to Northwestern?
I was born & raised in Defiance, Ohio, and my family moved to the suburbs of Chicago right before I started high school. Even then, I was interested in aspects of entertainment -- I wrote & produced my school's comedy show, made home movies, and did some work with a local theater. I liked Northwestern because of its strong reputation. I actually had a really bad time on my first visit, and I looked elsewhere, but I eventually came around and picked NU. I think I made the right choice.
Were you involved in any student organizations at NU?
My major was RTVF, but they didn't have Studio 22 at the time. I was involved with WNUR Radio, Waa-Mu, and my fraternity, and I taught Cherubs in the summer program. I also took internships in the city, including TV stations like WGN and WBBN.
After graduating Northwestern, I came straight to Los Angeles and enrolled in an MFA program at UCLA. My plan was to work my way into film or TV, one way or another. I didn't know practically anyone, and the city was totally new. LA took some getting used to, but it grew on me. I like it here, but I still miss Chicago.
How did you get your start in the LA entertainment industry?
Well, my first job was as a Universal Studios tour guide. I heard that was a good way to meet people at Universal, but I found that wasn't the case. I interned at Embassy Home Entertainment (which was owned by Norman Lear), and that turned into my first real job. I was hired as a writer for Original Home Video, but soon I switched over to the Acquisitions Department. That position helped me learn a lot about what worked and what didn't as a writer, because it was my job to buy good films for the company.
I eventually quit Acquisitions and set off to write. One of the first pitches I sold was a film called "Where the Day Takes You", which went on to star Will Smith, Sean Astin, Alissa Milano, and NU alum Dermot Mulroney in some of their earliest appearances. Another pitch, "House Arrest", became my first big-budget movie. It got mixed reviews and did poorly at the box office, but it was a good learning experience.
How did your acting career get its start?
In my spare time, I took some improv classes at Groundlings because I heard improv could improve my writing skills. I ended up in their main company, and one night Christopher Guest came to see the show. Afterwards, he interviewed me for a role in "Waiting For Guffman" and cast me as one of the town council members. I've appeared in every one of his films since then. That sort of kick-started my career as an actor.
What are you currently working on?
I've been writing and producing for Mad TV for about eight years. I'm now a co-executive producer for the show, and I work with several other NU alumni including actors Nicole Sullivan, Josh Meyers, and Daniele Gaither and co-producer Bruce McCoy. I'm also developing a series for Comedy Central that stars a Mad TV actor.
I ended up with a schizophrenic career. Half the year I write and
produce, and the other half I'm acting. It's complicated to schedule
projects and juggle commitments, but I don't complain. I'm lucky to be
able to "switch hats" and do both.
What did you do during the writer's strike?
Actually, I went to Iraq. Over New Year's, I gathered some actors from Groundlings and went over to entertain the troops with some improv and comedy. We stayed on an army base and were helicoptered to two shows a day. We spent New Year's Eve in Baghdad at one of Saddam's old palaces. It was fascinating to meet and perform for so many soldiers. They appreciated our "uncensored" improv.
How has your Northwestern connection impacted your career?
The competitive nature of NU helped, because LA is a competitive town. The school's proximity to Chicago allowed me to take advantage of the city -- my jobs and internships gave me tons of experience. Many of my NU friends moved to LA around the same time, and we supported each other as we started our careers. It was nice to have a "home base" of people you knew from school. I'm still connected to some members of my NU crew, like Steve Stark and Eric Gilliland.
Do you have any advice for new graduates and aspiring entertainment professionals?
If production is your goal, get your foot in the door any way you can. Don't be afraid to temp; half the temps and assistants in this city are overqualified, just like you. If you want to write, do as much writing as you can. Anyone who's interested in your stuff will want to see more material, so it's always good to have plenty in your back pocket. If you're an actor, find showcases to perform in. Whatever your thing is, just do it. It sounds too easy, but that's what it takes. If you want an opportunity, you can't wait for the phone to ring -- you've got to make something happen.
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Are you interested in getting involved with the NUEA? We currently
have several opportunities to participate in the executive board. Email president@nueawest.org and one of the Co-Presidents will
contact you.
See you next newsletter!
www.nueawest.org |
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