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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

VaPA Professor Goes Hollywood


Assistant Professor of Communication & Media Arts Frederick Burger just returned from a week of immersion into the business of television in Hollywood. As one of 20 Faculty Fellows selected from colleges around the country by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Professor Burger was hosted by the Academy at their annual Faculty Seminar at their headquarters in North Hollywood.

The Faculty Seminar is designed to provide teachers of television and media with new insights into the way that the television business operates, so they may pass along their new-found knowledge to students who hope to pursue careers in the television and related media industry.

During the week the fellows met with the top network programming executives from CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox in a conference at the Fox complex. The executives provided insights into ratings, programming decisions and the many ways the industry is changing – from DVRs to target demographics. “This was a first-class seminar from day one until the end,” said Fred Burger. “The Academy made sure we had significant face time with some of the major players in the television industry. Everyone got to ask in-depth questions and the answers were honest and straightforward. Everyone we spoke with was totally open and willing to share.”

Across many daily sessions the professors met with a panel of top directors from sitcoms, dramatic episodic programs, reality programs and documentaries. They met with executive producers from “Desperate Housewives” and “Scrubs.” They also spent time talking with Jenji Kohan the creator and lead writer for the show “Weeds” from Showtime in a very enlightening discussion that examined what it’s like to be a “showrunner.”

On another jam-packed day the group met with the production designer on the set of the ABC program “Brothers & Sisters” on the Disney Studios lot; the top program development executives from USA, Lifetime, Disney, Cartoon Networkand A&E; followed by the President of HBO Miniseries along with his Casting Director, Effects Manager, Production Manager and Producer to discuss the making of the miniseries “John Adams.”

In another series of sessions, the faculty fellows met with cinematographers, sound designers, editors and production designers for shows such as “Smallville” and “The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”  They then discussed entertainment and copyright law with representatives from MGM and the Pierce Law Group.

On the final day of the seminar, the fellows took on the task of crew-members for a mock production meeting on the pilot of the television show “Six Feet Under.” “I was assigned as Propmaster,” said Burger, “and was responsible for things like blood and kitchen utensils as well as herbal cigarettes and cell phones. It was a very eye-opening experience to understand the level of detail and preparation that goes into a production. I thoroughly enjoyed the week and learned a great deal that I have already begun passing on to my students. It was a hectic but invigorating experience and I am grateful to MCC and Liberal Arts Dean Mike McDonough for allowing me to make this trip.”

Frederick P. Burger
VaPA
12/05/2008