Professional
Development
STUDENT INDUSTRY RELATIONS
School of Cinematic Arts Complex
Suite 235
(213) 740-4432
studentindustryrelations@cinema.usc.edu
USC School of Cinematic Arts Job Board
Find access to the USC
School of Cinematic Arts Job Board at:
https://scacommunity.usc.edu/jobboard
USC CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT CENTER
USC has an entire office dedicated to helping students with Internships,
resumes and cover letters, interview tips, job-hunting techniques and career
advice. Please take advantage of them and contact them if you require
additional help after meeting Bonnie.
They are located in the Student Union Building.
Their website is http://careers.usc.edu/
Their phone number is (213) 740-9111.
They offer walk-ins from 12-3PM everyday.
FOR CINEMA INTERNSHIPS
If you have a specific question relating to internship or obtaining an
internship, please contact:
JAMES KIM
School of Cinematic Arts
213-740-3317
jkim@cinema.usc.edu
internship@cinema.usc.edu
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RESOURCES FOR FINDING EMPLOYMENT
Some of these sites are free, some have free trial periods, and some
you must pay to access. Always check if there are student rates.
www.monster.com
The monster board, which is what it says it is….a monstrous listing of jobs.
They offer a search, which will look for jobs in the fields you specify and
email you if it finds anything. More useful for clerical jobs than anything
else.
www.careers.msn.com
Good general resource for cover letters and interview tips.
www.careerbuilder.com
Another good general resource for job postings, cover letters, interview tips,
etc.
www.showbizdata.com
This board has by far the most postings and lists major job providers (WB,
E!, Spelling, etc.)
www.hcdonline.com
Hollywood Creative Directory online. Click on the “Job Board.”
www.showbizjobs.com
Divided by date, location, and type of job. Mostly administrative-type jobs,
but worth a look for production, too.
www.mandy.com
This is a production board, which lists features and commercials – the
majority is low budget.
www.media-match.com
This site lists jobs and contacts you when there is a good match for your job
skills. A pay service for professionals. Some entry level.
www.entertainmentcareers.net
Will direct you to other sites.
www.creativeplanet.com
Sites offer news, articles and discussions forums for the creative community.
Jobs section.
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www.crewnet.com
Job site for below the line.
www.editorsnet.com
Part of creative planet community. Post production and below the line
information and job board.
www.realscreen.com
On-line magazine.
www.filmindependent.org
Formerly IFP West. A film community listing events and networking
opportunities.
YAHOO
Has several groups / chat rooms for entertainment industry networking.
LAProducer@yahoogroups.com is a group for line producers and UPMs and
they often discuss job openings.
You must submit an application to join.
Other chat rooms on Yahoo that can be useful or a place to ask questions:
FilmBudgeting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This site is dedicated to making budgets. It's a clearing house for news
about budgeting programs, budgeting software updates and even the
occasional special offer. It's the place to share tips and tricks with other
filmmakers. Or just let everyone know about your favorite budgeting
program.
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/continuitygroup
This is a forum for current and aspiring script supervisors and other
production persons to discuss the position, trade ideas, and just talk to
others that work in the same field
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MusicHouse
This forum is intended for professionals in the commercial music industry
who write music for TV, advertising, film, and multimedia. Composers, jingle
writers, session musicians, producers, creative directors, music supervisors,
music directors, music editors, audio engineers, sound designers, composer
representatives, and production music library executives are all encouraged
to participate.
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PUBLICATIONS:
The Hollywood Reporter
The biggest issue with the most job postings comes out on Tuesday. The
Tuesday edition also lists features in production or pre-production. An
excellent resource to be aggressive and send resumes to productions before
they start.
Daily Variety
Again, the issue with the most job postings is Tuesday.
Back Stage West/Drama-Logue
New editions come out on Thursdays. An excellent resource for getting
feature credits on your resume. It mostly lists ultra-low budget movies.
This advantage is, because they have no money, the shoots are usually
quick (features that shoot in two weeks) so you can build up a few credits
very quickly. Unfortunately, most of them don’t pay, they just feed you – or
as they say “copy, credit and meals provided.”
Note: We get The Daily Variety and you are welcome to come to the
office and peruse it. However, you can also go to somewhere like
Barnes & Noble, take a notebook and write down the information
you need and not have to purchase the magazine.
The Hollywood Reporter Blue Book
List phone numbers and addresses of production companies, management
companies and pretty much anybody else you can think of. Helpful because
it is broken down by category (For example: “Commercial Production”) and
you can target companies in your field. Similar to the L.A 411 – but much
more comprehensive. We have one in the office, which you are welcome to
utilize.
The Hollywood Creative Directory
Lists development and production companies – addresses, phone numbers
and also the names of the bigwigs at the company. To stay in the game,
you should at least take a look at it to familiarize yourself with the names.
You don’t have to memorize them, but be aware of who’s who.
Below The Line
Magazine about all positions below the line. Screening series and events
posted. Weekly production schedule is printed with UPMs and many
department heads listed.
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Many major talent agencies hire assistants on an on-going basis.
The following are numbers for the switchboard, so ask the
receptionist for Human Resources.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Int’l Creative Management (ICM)
William Morris Endeavor
Agency For Performing Arts (APA)
United Talent Agency (UTA)
The Gersh Agency
310-288-4545
310-550-4000
310-859-4415 (hotline)
310-859-4274 (H.R.)
310-273-0744
310-273-6700
310-274-6611
Another excellent resource for job leads is job hotlines and websites.
Here are some contact information, but if there is a company you are
interested in, call them and see if a hotline is available.
Paramount
323-956-5216
www.paramount.com/studio
Warner Bros.
818-954-5400
www.WBjobs.com
KTLA
323-460-5916
job line
Disney
818-558-2222
www.disneycareer.com
MGM
310-449-3000
ask for HR
NBC
818-840-4397
www.GEcareers.com
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/
WBTV
818-954-5400
www.wbjobs.com
KTTV KCOP
310-584-2000
Univ/MCA
818-777-2264
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/
CBS
323-575-2008
www.cbscareers.com
E!
323-954-2666
http://www.eentertainment.com
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INDUSTRY TEMP AGENCIES
Co-Op Temp Agency
Contact Person: Jill Motaman
323-655-1009
8447 Wilshire Ste 210
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
www.cooptemp.com
Comar Agency
www.comaragency.com
Scheduling Coordinator
310-248-2700
6500 Wilshire Blvd Ste 2240
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Exclusively entertainment temp agency.
Services all major entertainment companies.
A+ Employment Co, Inc
www.theemploymentco.com
818-840-0998
3500 W. Olive Ave. Ste. 303
Burbank, CA 91505
Executive Temps
818-563-2939
2321 West Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91506
www.execuive-temps.com
Exclusively entertainment temp agency.
Services all major entertainment companies.
Central Casting
220 S. Flower St.
Burbank, CA 91502
http://www.centralcasting.org/
Registration Info: 818.562.2755
Phone: 818.562.2700
Fax: 818.562.2786
Background acting
Background Talent Svc
Talent Casting
4804 Laurel Canyon Bldg. 414
North Hollywood, CA 91607
ph: 818-760-7090
http://www.backgroundtalent.net
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Apple One
www.appleone.com
Downtown:
888 S. Figueroa St., Suite 170
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 892-0234
downtown@appleone.com
Not entertainment, mostly general office temp work
Beverly Hills:
9100 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 362W
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 228-9400
beverlyhills@appleone.com
Some entertainment and general office work
www.appleone.com
Westwood:
1250 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 475-9461
westwood-ca@appleone.com
Some entertainment and general office work
www.appleone.com
Glendale
325 West Broadway
Glendale, CA 91204
JanetJobe@appleone.com
Full time: 818-240-8230
Temp: (818) 247-2991
Entertainment temp jobs
www.appleone.com
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Jonathan Hale
456 Sunset Dr.
Hollywood, CA 85476
626-555-1212
Email: Samplemail@aol.com
Experience
Selected
EXPERIENCE
Editor
“Don’t Ever Get Daunted” – Independent Short Film – AVID
“The Weekend Research Project” – 35mm Short Film – AVID
“The Report” – 16mm Short Film- Flatbed
Director/Producer
“Death” – USC Undergraduate Thesis Film (also Short Film)
“Keep It In the Family” – Independent Short Film
Director of Photography
“The Weekend Research Project”- 35mm Short Film
“Minor Felony” -16mm Short Film
“Don’t Ever Get Daunted” (Second Unit) 35mm Short Film
“A Jewish Christmas Story” – USC Undergraduate Thesis
Gaffer/Electrician
“Dreamers” – Independent Feature Film
“Rhinos” – Independent Feature Film- One Horn Production
Assistant Camera
“Spaces” – USC Graduate Thesis Film
AWARDS
James Bridges Award for Outstanding Direction, 1st Place, 1996
SKILLS&EQUIPMENT
AVID Off-Line and flatbed editing. Arriflex BL’s, S, SR’s/Movicam
SL, SA, Compact Camera systems and BetaCam Cameras. Load
16mm & 35mm Arriflex, Panavision, and Moviecam Magazines
EDUCATION
University of Southern California
School of Cinematic Arts, BA Production
References Available Upon Request.
THIS IS AN ALL PURPOSE PRODUCTION RESUME
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John Smith
8234 Sunset Pl
Hollywood, CA 91542
Email: JSprod@aol.com
FILM EXPERIENCE
Production Coordinator
“Walking Up Horton” –feature film – Los Angeles, CA
Dir:
Harry Bromley-Davenport
Prod:
Amy Krell
UPM:
Jim Hanson
“Fathers And Sons” –feature film- Belmar, NJ
Dir:
Paul Mones
Prod:
John Kilik
UPM:
Alysse Bezahler
POC:
Shell Hecht, Beth Boyd
“Emma And Elvis” – feature film- Dayton, OH
Dir:
Julia Reichert
Prod:
Brenda Goodman
UPM:
Alysse Bezahler
POC:
Beth Boyd
EQUIPMENT
Arri BL, S, and SR 16mm cameras; studying floor cameras (including
camera robotic); ¾” and Beta cameras and offline editing;
Teleprompter; Mac and IBM PC’s
AWARDS
1996 Sundance Film Festival- Honorable Mention, Shorts Category“Dry Mount”
EDUCATION
University of Southern California
School of Cinematic Arts, BA Production
OFTEN TIMES YOU CAN GET JOBS BY NAME RECOGNITION
ALONE. ONCE YOU GET SOME PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UNDER YOUR BELT, LIST THOSE HIGHER-UP ON THE FOOD
CHAIN WHO WERE RELEVANT TO YOUR POSITION.
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John Smith
8234 Sunset Pl
Hollywood, CA 91542
Email: JSmith@aol.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Archer Entertainment
Date
Assistant
 Responsible for administrative & clerical support
to Director of Development
 Coordinated daily schedules, oversaw travel
arrangements
 Routed busy, multi-line switchboard; handled calls
with specific parameters
 Provided script coverage and analysis
 Assisted in developing cast lines, directors lists
and writers lines
Freelance
Reader
Date



Clients include: Porchlingt Ent, New Line Cinema,
and Mandalay Ent
Performed script coverage and analysis
Provided development notes
E! Entertainment Television
Date
Assistant
 Provided clerical support to production
department
 Tracked projects from development to postproduction
 Rolled calls for executives
 Oversaw the distribution of production and postproduction schedules
SKILLS
Type 60 WPM, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Lotus, PowerPoint,
FinalDraft, Movie Magic scheduling and budgeting, script coverage and
analysis, multi-line phones.
EDUCATION
University of Southern California
School of Cinematic Arts, BA Production
References Available Upon Request.
THIS IS AN ALL PURPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESUME
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Brooke Johnson_______________________________________________________
7489 LaPier Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90007 bjohnson@gmail.com | (907) 786-2789
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
Expected Graduation: May 2012
B.S. in Business Administration, Emphasis in Cinematic Arts, Minor in Economics
EXPERIENCE
Warner Brothers/Carousel Productions
January 2010 – Present
Development Intern
 Intern in development for Steve Carell’s production company situated on Warner Brothers lot
 Composed to date over twenty script coverages, summarizing and offering recommendations for
improvement and possible changes
 Communicate regularly with assistants, contacts, and senior management as needed
 Monitor phones and desk for superiors when necessary, have become acquainted with channels of
communication within production companies
Trojan Vision Television
Sept. 2008 – Present
Producer
 Increased viewership of channel by 260% through online and paper advertising campaigns
 Control the creative vision for a sports-news show with five hosts
 Manage studio and crew of 15 during pre-production, production, and editorial
 Provide creative feedback to the development/production department through creation of over 50 script
coverages on student films/television programs of all genres
LEADERSHIP
Los Angeles Community Impact (LACI)
Sept. 2008 – Present
Team Leader, Director of External Relations and Marketing
 Lead a team of 5 to create business plan, 10-year plan for Breathe LA, Project Possibility
 Create communication with other student organizations to collaborate and share knowledge
 Execute marketing plan for LACI that involved collaboration and negotiating with local
newspapers/television stations, led to 125% increase in applications in 6 months
Future Business Leaders of America, Phi Beta Lambd
Vice President In Charge of Finance
Sept. 2008 – Present
 Create and deliver regular presentations of finances of organization
 Analyze feasibility of inter-chapter and speaker events, consulted with president of organization regarding
connections with other chapters, collaborative events
 Administer master budget of several thousand dollars in terms of event planning, membership
HONORS
Alpha Lambda Delta – Given the opportunity to join a society of academically distinguished students
Global Leadership Program – Awarded one-week trip to Beijing to meet with top executives
USC Dean’s List
USC Varsity Tennis
SKILLS


Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Mac/Windows OS.
Experienced in writing script coverages and development notes, providing creative feedback.
THIS IS AN ALL PURPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESUME
Employment Resources Page
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Patrick Smith
702 South Crest Avenue
Phone: 310.305.5526
E-Mail: psmith@gmail.com
Experience:
Production Assistant
DIRECTV Los Angeles Broadcast Center – Culver City, California
The Dan Patrick Show, Red Zone, other original programming
Summer 2009-Present

Edited college and professional sporting events into 10-minute clips using Quantel. Clips are then used on the
Dan Patrick Show, featured on the 101 Network.

Controlled and ran commercial playlists on live televised events using ITX software. Events include the UEFA
tournament (present), US OPEN tennis, Wimbledon, and British Open golf.

Ran set lights for live events including Blizzcon 2009, featured on the 101 Network.

Wrote, produced, filmed, and edited the Intern video, which I also starred in.

Assisted director and producer of Dan Patrick Show with research, spelling edits, and other office duties.
Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club, Broadcast Centre – London, England
The Wimbledon Championships
Summer 2007-2008

Assisted international television crews with location and set-up for both live and taped segments of the tennis
championships. Coordinated communication between the media, the Tennis Club, and the tournament officials.

Provided media personnel with accreditation, tournament schedules and programs, Wimbledon protocol, location
scouting, and athlete profiles.

Trained new Media Liaison assistants.
Marketing Assistant
Red Bull GmbH – London, England and event location, Devon, England
Red Bull Empire of Dirt
July - August 2008

Researched and composed athlete profiles for media, marketing, and sponsor use. Coordinated delivery of
marketing materials and event tickets to sponsors and to the media.

Participated in marketing research and planning sessions.

Event location duties included: event coordination; photo documentation; set-up, maintenance, and teardown of
VIP lounges and kiosks
Tennis Pro-Am Assistant
Stan Smith Events - Marietta, Georgia
The Wimbledon Championships
June 2006
US Open Tennis Championships
August 2006
Assisted tennis professionals with event organization; on-court warm-ups; client hitting and scorekeeping for
corporate tennis events. Clients included: American Express, Citibank, Merrill-Lynch, Commerce Bank, Bank of
America.
Education:
University of Southern California – Los Angeles, California
Marshall School of Business – Business Cinematic Arts Joint Program (BCA)

Fall 2007 – Present
Undergraduate, Junior
Awards and Achievements:
University of Southern California:

BCA Program: admitted into prestigious business-cinema joint major.
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References Upon Request
THIS IS AN ALL PURPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE RESUME
Resume Boosters
Actively
Accelerated
Adapted
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Appraised
Approved
Assisted
Assembled
Assessed
Compared
Compiled
Completed
Composed
Conceived
Conceptualized
Conducted
Conferred
Constructed
Coordinated
Crafted
Created
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Developed
Diagnosed
Directed
Drew up
Edited
Effected
Eliminated
Established
Executed
Expanded
Expedited
Evaluated
Fabricated
Facilitated
Generated
Guided
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Initiated
Instituted
Instructed
Interpreted
Invented
Investigated
Launched
Lead
Maintained
Managed
Measured
Medicated
Negotiated
Operated
Organized
Participated
Performed
Persuaded
Planned
Pinpointed
Prepared
Presented
Produced
Programming
Promoted
Proposed
Provided
Proficient at
Recommended
Reduced
Reinforced
Reorganized
Reported
Researched
Responsible
Responsibility
Restored
Revamped
Reviewed
Revived
Scheduled
Set up
Simplified
Significantly
Sold
Solved
Strategy
Streamlined
Strengthened
Structured
Successfully
Supervised
Synthesized
Systematized
Taught
Tied together
Trained
Employment Resources Page
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Sample Networking Letter, with Referral
2259 Tall St
Houston, TX 32223
September 20, 2006
Chad Stanhope
JK Liven Productions
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522
Dear Mr. Stanhope:
Joanne Smith suggested that I write to you in regard to my
strong interest in being a film editor. Mrs. Smith told me
that you are one of the leading experts in this growing field,
and she thought you would be a good person to give me
some career advice.
I have had two college semesters of experience in video
editing, but none thus far in films. I have a particular
interest in special effects and wish to develop my skills in
that area.
I will be in southern California next month and am hoping
that it might be possible for us to meet briefly. I am certain
your counsel would be of enormous benefit as I begin
looking for opportunities. I will call your office next week to
see if your schedule permits such a meeting.
Sincerely,
Lauren Borger
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Sample Networking Letter, Without Referral
31099 Seventh Ave
New York, NY 0058
December 29, 2005
Charleen Hechtman
Granada Entertainment
11812 San Vicente Blvd, Ste 503
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Dear Ms. Hechtman:
I am writing to you because I was very impressed with your
special effects makeup in the recent film Werewolf in Paris,
and am interested in meeting with you and learning more
about your work.
I have an extensive background in theater makeup and have
also worked in film production as a makeup artist, although
my experience has been limited to commercials. This
experience has led me to decide to begin a career in film as
a makeup assistant.
However, before I begin seeking work I feel I must talk to
people with makeup experience in films, and I am hoping
can assist me in this regard. I will be in Los Angeles next
month and am hoping it might be possible for us to meet
briefly. I will call you next week to see if your schedule
permits such a meeting.
Sincerely,
Clay Randal Smith
Employment Resources Page 16
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS CHECKLIST
Number 1
Make it look professional. The film industry is full of
professionals who pay attention to details. Make sure that all
your written communications are printed neatly and cleanly on
good-quality paper and are free of typographical or
grammatical errors. Proofread it yourself, and have a friend
proofread it too.
Number 2
Make it readable. Be clear and concise in writing your
resume and letters. If you have any questions about how clear
your writing is, have a friend or friends read it, and listen to
them if they have suggestions or changes.
Number 3
Always tell the truth. The film industry is ultimately like
a small town—eventually everyone meets everyone else. If
you exaggerate your experience or suggest something that
isn’t true, you will eventually get caught.
Number 4
Be creative. Remember that the film industry is full of
creative people who appreciate other creative people. Within
limits, its always a good idea to apply that creativity to your
letterhead and resume.
Number 5
Remember who your reader is. Different letters serve
different purposes. For example, if you’re writing a letter
requesting a networking interview, be sure not to suggest that
you’re expecting the recipient to hire you.
Number 6
Always follow up. If you say in a letter that you’ll call
the recipient next week, make sure you do it. It would even be
a good idea to devise some system to keep track of the letters
you’ve written and the follow-up calls you have to make.
Number 7
Write thank-you letters whenever appropriate. Most
people don’t bother writing thank-you letters even when they
should. If you write them both when they’re expected, and,
even more importantly, when they’re not, people will
remember you kindly. And remembering you is exactly what
you want people to do.
Employment Resources Page 17