Semester in LA (Columbia College Chicago)

Congratulations to SILA and Columbia College Chicago Alumni Dave Palazzolo on recently be hired at Partizan as The Executive Assistant to the Managing Director & Executive Producer.

Exploring the Warner Bros. Studio Lot 🎬 From Gilmore Girls to Friends, “The Pit,” and Sinners costumes—an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience for our Semester in LA students.

Last spring, Robert Atwood taught our LA Speakers Series. This semester, he returned as a guest, now bringing a new Netflix hockey series to life starring fellow Columbia alum Michelle Monaghan! That’s full circle...and then some. So proud of you both!

Andrew Orenstein🎬 Writer on 3rd Rock from the Sun, co-exec producer of Malcolm in the Middle (Peabody Award), written for Everybody Hates Chris, ran Just Add Magic (Amazon), & co-created Emmy-winning Ghostwriter (Apple TV+). Now teaching how TV goes from pitch to production!

Wanna join us for a few hours of service in DTLA? SiLA is volunteering with Water Drop LA and Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, helping distribute clean drinking water to people in need. March 22 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM Email us at semesterinla@colum.edu waterdropla.org

Faculty Spotlight: Andrew Gurland 🎥 Writer/director/showrunner Andrew Gurland is currently co-executive producing Apple TV+’s Platonic and has worked on Unstable, Friends From College, Reboot, and Married. At SiLA, he shares real-world insight into building a career in TV.

Congrats to SiLA Alum Jack Lindsey! Following your True North is no easy feat, but Jack is doing just that! Check out more about his journey here: deadline.com/2026/03/true-n… #SiLASuccessStory

Thanks so much to Producer Pixie Wespiser who’s work includes, Good Luck Charlie, Kirby Buckets, The Big Show Show and many others for coming in and talking to our Spring 2026 Speaker Series!

Nothing quite as inspiring as watching a student turn into a professional before your very eyes. Congrats to Fall 2025 SiLA student @Nina Stoner getting into the prestigious Paramount Page Program. Nina, happy Day #1 at Paramount! #SiLASuccessStory #ParamountPageProgram

Thank you so much to Emmy nominated Writer and Producer Taylor Cox for joining our Spring 2026 Speaker Series!

We had a very productive meeting today with Fumero Films who are helping lead the way in the vertical film space. We are super excited to be collaborating with them and create exciting opportunities for our students right here in LA!

Thank you so much to Producer Carol Baum who’s produced countless projects including Father & The Bride, Fly Away Home, Shining Through among many others for sharing her wealth of knowledge with our Spring 2026 Speaker Series.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Rachel A. Raimist 🎞️ Dr. Raimist is directing network television while teaching the next generation at Columbia. With credits like Bel-Air, Queen Sugar, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and CSI: Vegas, she brings real-world storytelling straight to the classroom.

Applications are now open for Semester in LA Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 and their are only two weeks left to apply. Apply Today!

Rachel Raimist Spring 2026 class at Bungalow E at Sunset Las Palmas!

Interested in Semester in LA and want to learn more about the program? Join us for an upcoming virtual information session on February 26th from 6:30PM-7:30PM.

This past weekend, a group of our Spring 2026 SILA students went on a road trip to Santa Barbara!

Thanks so much to Todd Berger for coming and speaking to our Spring 2026 Speaker Series class!

A rainy day in LA is rare enough to feel like a small ceremony. Bungalow E is officially blessed.