TOP RECENT GRADUATES GET A CAREER BOOST FROM
LMU SCHOOL OF FILM & TELEVISION’S PROGRAM ‘TAG’
Unique Initiative Is Funded by Sony Pictures Entertainment
(L-R) LMU Sony TAG Fellows Sal Cardoni, Debbie Formoso, Sony Pictures Classics Co-President Michael Barker, LMU School of Film and Television Dean Teri Schwartz, LMU Sony TAG Fellows Adam Burr, Lauren Carara and Alfonso Estrada at the LMU SFTV/National Geographic All Roads Film Project Sundance Party, Jan. 2007.
Los Angeles, Calif., January 17, 2007 – Five exemplary recent graduates from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television are being given invaluable access to and opportunities for careers in the entertainment industry as part of the School’s one-of-a-kind new Transition After Graduation, or “TAG,” Program, SFTV Dean Teri Schwartz announced today.
Fully funded by Sony Pictures Entertainment, with the support of Steve Mosko, President, Sony Pictures Television, TAG is a completely unique one-year program in professional development designed to help graduates navigate the entire landscape of the entertainment business. The five budding professionals, called SONY FELLOWS, are being mentored by some of the industry’s top talent.
Each SONY FELLOW will work closely with a high level mentor tailored to the participant's career objectives, participate in monthly meetings to review professional development topics and goals, network and share their experiences with one another, and receive expert strategies and support for maximum participation at major festivals both in the U.S. around the world.
TAG is the newest in a series of innovative initiatives created by Dean Schwartz to connect the entire SFTV community to the broad global landscape of the entertainment and emerging media industries.
“Thanks to the vision and generosity of Steve Mosko and his colleagues at Sony Pictures Entertainment, we’ve been able to start our signature program designed with the belief that a premier film school should continue to nurture its students even after they’ve taken their last exam, or completed their thesis film,” Dean Schwartz said. “At SFTV we are committed to developing the new stories and new storytellers with a strong, practical understanding of the professional landscape. With TAG, we’re able to give our outstanding graduates a crucial head start on realizing their ambitions.”
“Since launching the School of Film and Television three years ago, Dean Schwartz has consistently exhibited the passion, vision and creativity to produce the nation’s top film and television school,” Mr. Mosko said. “When she told us about her ideas for the TAG program, her enthusiasm was infectious and we knew this is something Sony had to support.”
TAG’s inaugural SONY FELLOWS will work with some of the most respected and successful individuals and programs in the entertainment business:
• Lauren Carara, Recording Arts grad, is being mentored by Academy Award©-winning post production re-recording mixer, Bob Beemer, who recently completed the mix for the acclaimed Dreamgirls.
• Sal Cardoni, Screenwriting grad, is currently being mentored by Academy Award nominated screenwriter Joel Cohen (Toy Story).
• Alfonso Estrada, a graduate of the SFTV animation program, is now part of the Sony Animation Directors Program.
• Debbie Formoso is being mentored by Academy Award©-nominated Director of Photography, Wally Pfister (Batman Begins, The Prestige).
• Adam Burr, who won Best Director and Best Narrative Film at SFTV's film festival Film Outside the Frame, is the fifth Sony Fellow and is being mentored by Rob Legato, Academy Award winning sfx designer (Aviator, Titanic, Apollo 13, The Departed) and director.
TAG is a hands-on program enabling the SONY FELLOWS to get the kind of access and exposure that typically takes years for entertainment industry professionals to experience. Along with the high level industry mentoring aspect of the program, The participants will get access to a major film market, be introduced to agents and managers, travel to major film festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, South by Southwest and Sundance, explore new marketing opportunities, and begin implementing an outlined path for their career objectives.
Like any good TAG team, this new program was designed with a “pay-forward” philosophy; each participant will pass the baton to the next TAG team and stay involved with them for their TAG year. As a result, each SONY FELLOW will be able to develop a network of contacts that will benefit them throughout their careers.
The TAG program began in September, with the start of the 2006-07 academic year, and will continue through August 2007