Adrian Gonzalez knew that attending the Semester in Los Angeles Program, known as UTLA, was his end goal when he first applied to be a student at the University of Texas. Even during the pandemic in the spring of 2021, he was determined to get to LA to further his dream of working in the entertainment industry.

Thankfully, he had the support of Moody College of Communication faculty to help make the dream a reality his senior year.

“They were still very committed to making sure that we had a lifeline, even during a time where it was nearly impossible to do anything,” Gonzalez said.

Established in 2005, UTLA combines internships, experiential learning, courses taught by working professionals, and guest lectures by industry experts to help students gain the skills, confidence and contacts they need to make it in the entertainment world. While every student has their own unique story as they seek to forge their own path in the television, film, music or media industry, they share the benefits of the intensive, real-world immersion offered by the program.

“They say it's not what you know, but who you know that opens doors in the entertainment industry,” said Amy Lasser, UTLA program director. “I’d also add that who knows you and your interests is very important, too.”

At UTLA, Lasser said, students build a supportive network, which includes their cohort, UT alumni and a wide range of industry professionals who are all invested in getting to know them and helping them navigate and explore careers in the industry.

UTLA students come from multiple disciplines as the program is open to any UT Austin student, regardless of their major. Some may be studying to be screenwriters, while others could be focused on business, or even music. Even before beginning their application, information sessions are held for interested students to help them determine if the program is the right fit. That type of support sticks with them once they’re accepted.

The first UTLA cohort had only seven students, but the program has grown substantially due to student interest and generous gifts such as one from the Cain Foundation. Their gift established the current UTLA facility, the Wofford Denius UTLA Center for Entertainment and Media Studies. It allows for more students to live, work and learn in Los Angeles, and creates a strong link between Austin and the media and entertainment industries in Hollywood.

Its namesake, Wofford Denius, chairman of the foundation and a music attorney based in LA, knows firsthand what it takes to make it in the city and the entertainment industry.

“This program gives students a leg up,” said Denius. “It’s an opportunity not afforded to a lot of other people. It gives you that networking ability, it gives you an opportunity to show your work ethic and skill set, and I think that’s critical in this industry.”

Now in its 20^th year, over 2,300 students have come through UTLA. About 49 of those were part of Gonzalez’s UTLA cohort. Now a literary agent at Culture Creative Entertainment, he said the experience he had while at UTLA changed the course of his career.

And he’s not the only one.

UTLA courses cover a wide range of topics, taught by professionals living and working in LA. One of those teachers is Barbara Friend. A UTLA alumna who attended in the fall of 2011, Friend wanted to give back to the program that helped her find her path in Hollywood.

“There’s a direct line from my UTLA internship to my career now,” Friend said. “I wouldn’t have this career without UTLA.”

In addition to her work as a television drama writer, Friend is a lecturer for UTLA’s Working Hollywood Writer course. Her class covers what it’s like being a Hollywood writer and introduces screenwriting, along with how the business works.

“It’s writing and what it means to be in Los Angeles and working in the industry,” she said. “The experience of being here is much different than what you get in Austin classes. The students are doing an internship while they are in classes, which gives them such an amazing perspective on how things get made.”

After starting a virtual writer’s group with UTLA students during the pandemic, she found her way into her role as a lecturer. The biggest piece of advice she gives her students is to not only come to LA with an idea of what they want to do, but to really dig into why they want to follow that path.

“You really have to want it and be realistic about it,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of students come through, and I see that they have what it takes. And UT is such a huge part of this. Getting into the UTLA alumni network can open so many doors.”

Both Friend and Lasser said that while many students come to UTLA with a desire to work in one specific facet of the industry, others may be undecided. Being part of the program can help them find their way.

Valarie Puente, a talent assistant at Creative Artist Agency and part of the UTLA class of 2022, can attest to this.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do or how I was going to do it, so I think I just came to LA with a goal to meet as many people as I could and make the relationships that could help me along the way,” Puente said.  

Puente said that her internship, her coursework, and the rich UTLA alumni network helped her realize that the business side of the entertainment industry is where she belonged.

“I knew that I wanted to work in entertainment, and I was always too afraid to just kind of make the move out there,” she said. “So, when I saw the opportunity to do both my education and work here, I figured I’d take it.” 

Taking the opportunity to attend UTLA, and getting connected with alumni, is precisely what Lasser suggests students do if they have any desire for an entertainment-related career path.

“UTLA alumni always give the best advice for how to get the most out of the program: Go to all the events and workplace visits UTLA offers,” Lasser said. “Meet everyone! Try to say ‘yes’ as often as possible! You never know who will introduce you to an interesting job that you didn’t know existed until you came to LA.”

Making a move to Los Angeles can certainly be intimidating for a college junior or senior, the typical school year when most students attend the program. Beatriz Chahin, a UTLA alumna from the 2010 cohort, a current student mentor, and a television production supervisor and independent film producer, said program participants should take solace in knowing they won’t be doing it alone.

 “You are coming here with other students who are going to UTLA,” Chahin said. “So, you have that built-in connection. You have to trust that even if you don't have a lot of friends who are applying that you will get close to those who are coming out here because you're going through the same thing.”

Chahin added that while students coming to Los Angeles do need to be prepared to hustle, they’ll get out what they put into the program. Taking advantage of mentor opportunities, or even having coffee with an alumnus, can help them navigate their internships and the semester coursework.

“It’s nice to be in a safe place with a mentor that you can bounce ideas off of,” she said. “So many people were very generous with me, and that's how I try to mentor as well. No question is too small. No question is too silly. There’s a reason why you're asking. I think it really allows people to grow and figure out what it is they want in a place where they don't feel judged for not having all the answers. We all start somewhere.”

Whether starting with a big dream to work in film or simply hoping to discover what a career in entertainment would be like, UTLA students can walk away from their experience with a clearer direction for their futures.

As the program continues to grow and expand, Gonzalez, who also attributes the program with helping him learn more about himself personally, believes that UTLA will always set Moody College, and UT Austin, apart from other universities and programs.

“Kids who come from UTLA want to do the work, and I think that is so special. That grit, it separates us from all the other colleges,” he said. “UT, in my opinion, is the place to be, and they do a great job mixing business with creativity and really setting you up for the best.”