Staying Safe and Connected: A Newhouse LA Student Navigates the January Wildfires
The city of Los Angeles has long dealt with wildfires, but none as devastating as the ones which raged in January of this year. As a Newhouse LA student during the Spring 2025 semester, I experienced living in the city during the fires. Thankfully, all the Los Angeles program students stayed safe, as the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program Center and student apartments were not near the two major blazes the Los Angeles Fire Department battled.
I arrived in Los Angeles with my dad a few days before the fires started. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the city experienced extremely harsh winds, knocking down trees, including one right in front of my apartment building. The next day, we received reports of wildfires growing at a tremendous rate. Receiving this news was very concerning, but I was relieved when I found out we weren’t close to the areas with evacuation orders. While North Hollywood and Burbank were not ordered to evacuate, many of our off-campus orientation events were unfortunately canceled.
However, Newhouse LA director Robin Howard invited all the students together, offering us food and movie screenings at the Dick Clark Center. I didn’t attend the first one because I was worried about leaving my apartment, but my friends encouraged me to go the next day. Being on campus with other students helped me feel less isolated and let me breathe for a second while dealing with the stress of the fires.
Our classes started as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 13, but many students took their internships remotely for the first week. I did as well, as my internship at Emerald Lion Press, where I make social media content and promote their books on TikTok and Instagram, is located in Calabasas which was still under an evacuation warning.
By the second week of classes, most internships started their usual in-person schedule. However, while everything slowly went back to normal, we did not forget about those in Los Angeles severely affected by the fires, some which burned until the end of January.
The Newhouse LA program offered students opportunities to volunteer at local organizations and give back to the community. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, several Newhouse students and I volunteered at the YMCA in Verdugo Hills. We were responsible for organizing bins of donated clothes, shoes, strollers, coats and more. While organizing donated items and helping put together pick-up orders for families, we felt an immense sense of gratitude for not having been directly affected by the fires, and happiness that we could help those who were.
Now, more than a month after the fires started, the Newhouse LA program is definitely back to complete normalcy. The first few weeks here were stressful, especially being across the country from my friends back at Syracuse and my family in New York City. Luckily, I have cousins in the Los Angeles area that were checking in on me daily, and the Newhouse LA program has consistently checked in on us, providing fun and informational events for students.
Canceled orientation week events, such as alumni networking, will hopefully be rescheduled, but in the meantime, we’ve had many exciting events, including a book signing and Q&A with Falk College and Newhouse professor of practice emeritus Dennis Deninger.
With the stress of the fires starting to disappear, I am now excited to entirely focus on enjoying my time here in Los Angeles and look forward to making the most out of my classes, internship and overall experience in the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program.
Samantha Rodino is a junior in the television, radio and film program at the Newhouse School.
Los Angeles Program Students Help Community Members Affected by California Wildfires
Students spending the spring semester in the University’s Dick Clark Los Angeles Program arrived in California in early January. Their first order of business was to attend orientation activities beginning Jan. 6 and acclimate to the Los Angeles area. Soon, they were immersed in the community in a way they never could not have imagined.
On Jan. 7, wildfires erupted in the greater Los Angeles area. Two fires in particular—the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire—burned for more than three weeks, destroying thousands of homes and causing billions of dollars in damages.
The nearly 70 Syracuse University students in Los Angeles were safe throughout the situation. “We were quite far from both of the fires, so we were fortunate in terms of both where the center is and where the students were living,” says Anna Proulx, visual and performing arts program director for the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program.
Although it was an unsettling time, the students were amazed and moved by how local communities came together to support each other—and they wanted to be a part of that. Students and staff were soon working alongside community members in the wildfire recovery efforts.
Lending a Helping Hand
Donation centers began popping up around the community, collecting clothing, diapers and baby items, pet supplies, furniture and other things that families would need to reestablish a home. Proulx and Newhouse LA Program Director Robin Howard had already discussed ways students could help, especially since community engagement and volunteering is an important part of the LA experience for students.
“We’ve always, since the beginning, made community engagement a requirement of the program,” says Howard. “Students have to give back to the city, and they choose what they want to do. In the past, they’ve read to kids, cleaned up beaches and put boxes together for military families. It’s in the DNA of what we do here. It was not a far reach to mobilize and help these families.”
Proulx took a group of students to work at a donation center. The amount of donations was overwhelming, so the first step was to help organize the donations into categories and then develop a cohesive distribution system.
Howard then took a group to a follow-up event where families came to choose items they needed. Students acted as personal shoppers, helping to carry and organize the items. Beyond offering physical help, they provided emotional support, too—a reassuring smile for those impacted by the tragic fires. Students also volunteered at another donation event on Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Newhouse LA Student Spotlight: Dalton Deitz
Living in Syracuse, moving into college has always been nothing more than a 20-minute drive for me, so flying across the country for this semester was nerve-wracking. But the vibrant atmosphere and friendly people immediately made me feel welcome here in LA. My days quickly filled up with exciting experiences, from navigating the Metro to my internship at TREND: Music PR, to exploring iconic spots like Universal Studios, Dodger Stadium and even camping in Joshua Tree!
One of the highlights has been a Q&A session with the senior staff at TREND, where I gained invaluable insights about the music industry. I also had the chance to attend a Fredagain.. concert at the LA Memorial Coliseum, which was an electrifying experience. Balancing my classes and internship has been challenging yet rewarding, especially with supportive professors and peers. Days spent at Santa Monica Beach and Warner Bros. Studios with fellow students were moments of community that I’ll cherish forever.
My time here has been a whirlwind of learning, growth and fun, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and friendships I’ve made. I’m excited to see what the rest of my LA journey holds!
Dalton Deitz is a senior studying broadcast and digital journalism at the Newhouse School.
Los Angeles Through the Looking Glass
Lizzy Calvo, a Newhouse senior from Los Angeles, offers a comprehensive guide to exploring Los Angeles during the Newhouse LA program. A magazine, news and digital journalism major, Calvo participated in the program in summer 2024.
Los Angeles is one of the most visited cities in the world, greeting a whopping 50 million visitors a year, according to the Los Angeles County Development Corporation. For students participating in the Newhouse LA program, exploring the new city may be daunting.
This summer I made my way home to participate in the Newhouse LA program. As a native Angeleno, here is my guide to exploring LA and all that it has to offer:
The Map
The first vital thing to understand as a student coming to LA for the first time is its layout. I like to think of LA as having two distinct sections: the Valley, and everything else.
The new Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program campus is located in North Hollywood, where most students will live during the program. Despite “Hollywood” being in the name, NoHo is located in the Valley, which is separated from Central LA by the Hollywood Hills. The Valley also houses Burbank, where you’ll find some of the major studio lots, in addition to several other smaller cities to explore.
Moving west through the Hollywood Hills is the part of LA that most people imagine. Griffith Observatory sits high on the hill, overlooking the city below it, the Hollywood Sign a few miles over. Down below is West Hollywood, a neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife culture and great for lovers of comedy clubs. Moving further west, you pass Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, and then The Getty, eventually hitting the ocean and arriving at the famous Santa Monica Pier at the end of Route 66. Further east lies Dodgers stadium, Downtown LA, and a little further out, concert venues including The Forum and Sofi Stadium.
Now that you have a little understanding of Los Angeles’s layout, here are some of the best spots to visit across the map.
Entertainment
The first must-do activity without question is the Warner Bros. Studio tour. The Newhouse LA program typically provides students with tickets to the tour, which is how my classmates and I got to attend! The tour consists of a drive around the lot, getting to see the sets of famous TV shows like “Friends” and “Gilmore Girls,” a tour of a current soundstage and a photo op at the end, alongside the opportunity to explore a warehouse full of costumes and props from famous films.
The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most famous venues in the city, located in the hills right in the pass where the Valley turns into Hollywood. The venue itself is a massive outdoor amphitheater that hosts sing-alongs, concerts, theatrical performances and more. I attended the “Barbie Movie Live In Concert” with my roommate, and we got to see a fireworks show in addition to a live orchestra and the movie itself, fanfare that is not uncommon for Bowl productions.
This is for the hardcore movie lovers, and was recommended by Newhouse LA faculty member Cecile Murias, who teaches The Art of Production course. Owned by famed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, New Beverly Cinema is a theater focused on creating the best viewing experience. Most of the movies shown are on film, preserving the movie’s original form. In addition, they have special themed double features that are great for spending a whole day locked in at the movies.
Food
Located downtown, Grand Central Market is one of the best places to eat in the city. Taking up an entire city block right next to the famous Angel’s Flight Railway, Grand Central Market has every kind of cuisine you can think of from Chinese and Mexican to sushi, to breakfast sandwiches and giant strawberry donuts. This has been one of my favorite spots in LA since I went with my parents as a little kid, and comes highly recommended by Newhouse LA faculty Michael Green who teaches communications law.
Another spot from my childhood, I can’t recommend a single spot in LA as highly as Porto’s. Located in Burbank (very close to the Dick Clark Center), Porto’s has every single baked good you can think of and more, in addition to serving hot food. If you want to try out some classic Cuban foods, I recommend the potato balls, Cubano sandwiches and guava strudels, but every single thing they make is delicious.
A classic LA hotspot on the west side, Tito’s Tacos is famous for their authentic Mexican food. The restaurant is mostly takeout, where you order at a counter and grab a box with your food, but they have plenty of tables to eat there. You simply cannot leave LA without having had a Tito’s Taco.
Miscellaneous Must Visits
One of the best things to do as a student is go to Universal Studios. Although it is a theme park, it’s built next door to the Universal Studios lot. Go on the studio tour, where you can spend up to an hour on a guided tram tour of the lot, sometimes getting to see the behind the scenes of what’s being filmed on the lot. The best part is that it’s only a 10-minute drive from campus!
Dodgers Stadium, SoFi Stadium or the Crypto.com Arena
Another staple experience to have before leaving LA is attending a sporting event. Depending on the season, you can pick between baseball, football and basketball, but luckily LA has some of the best teams for all three! I would recommend going to a Dodgers, Rams or Lakers game. The Clippers, Chargers and Angels are alternative team options (but I think real Angelenos are fans of the other teams).
Sitting high in the hills above the 405 freeway is the J. Paul Getty Museum, my favorite art museum in LA. Their collections have varying forms of art, from as far back as two thousand years ago to today, with paintings, sculptures, photographs and more. The museum grounds also have a beautiful garden that is fun to explore. I recommend spending the whole day here, as there is so much to see and an hour or two won’t allow you to see much! Tickets are free, but reservations are required at least a day in advance.
Whatever your interests, there is something for everyone here in Los Angeles. As you start your program, take some time to look around and learn about where you live. Happy exploring!
Newhouse Student Connects With Entertainment Industry on Larry Barron Fund Trip
The fund, named after the late Newhouse alumnus Larry Barron ’87, aims to carry on the TV executive’s legacy of mentoring young people and connecting them with other leaders in the media and entertainment industries.
My name is Maddie Doolittle, I graduated this past May from Syracuse University as a member of the class of 2024. While at Syracuse, I was a dual major at Newhouse and Whitman, with majors in television, radio and film and supply chain management respectively.
During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the inaugural recipients of the Larry Barron Fund for Mentorship, which is a four-day visit to Los Angeles to meet executives in media and entertainment, and so much more. Like Larry, I was a very active member of WJPZ, the on-campus radio station that changed my life and so many others. Currently, I work as an executive assistant to the VP of content, programming and marketing at Vevo in New York City.
The Larry Barron Fund for Mentorship trip was undoubtedly one of the best experiences not just of my college career, but of my life. I come from a small town in western Massachusetts, and I didn’t grow up with the resources to travel. As someone who dreamed of working in the music and entertainment industries, even the chance to visit Los Angeles was an incredible opportunity.
My itinerary for the trip took me to companies like Audacy, Caffeine.tv, NFL Studios, the FYI.AI headquarters and Amazon Music. Not only was I able to connect with a handful of really great people doing jobs I could only dream of doing, but the trip showed me I could belong professionally in a place so far from home and at companies I’ve always admired.
From creating lasting relationships with professionals at Amazon Music to somehow ending up at the surprise reunion show of my favorite band, the best way I can describe my time in LA is serendipitous. I’m a steadfast believer in the saying “everything happens for a reason,” and I truly believe that what is meant for you will not pass you by. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program and to have had the opportunity to honor Larry, his spirit and his passion for mentorship.
The application deadline for the Larry Barron Mentorship Fund is Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Maddie Doolittle ’24 is an alumna of the television, radio and film program at the Newhouse School.
And That’s a Wrap on the Pilot of OTN’s New Game Show, ‘Two Truths and a Lie’
Behind the scenes of the show created by students in the Newhouse LA program through Orange Television Network.
Game shows have entertained audiences for decades, with programs like“Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” being two of the most watched shows on television, as reported by The New York Times. Yet despite their popularity in American culture, the primary viewer demographic for game shows falls far beyond most college students, at age 60 or older.
But this summer, students in the Newhouse LA program got an up-close look into what it’s like to put a TV game show on the air when they created and filmed “Two Truths and a Lie” for Orange Television Network (OTN), and a new game show was born, targeting the Syracuse University student audience.
The journey towards making “Two Truths and a Lie” began on the first day of the Newhouse LA summer 2024 program in May. Robin Howard, director of the Newhouse LA program, pitched the show with Bob Boden, an executive vice president at Entertainment Studios who teaches television, radio and film (TRF) classes at Newhouse LA, and Meg Craig, general manager of OTN.The show was a completely new concept for the program and built from the ground up, from hiring talent to choosing a structure for the show, to finding filming locations and managing crew.
The show’s basic premise: Contestants, who are Syracuse University students or alumni, are asked to run through a series of questions with three answers and asked to figure out which two answers are true, and which one is the lie.
Within a few weeks, TRF students Kayla Black and Jackie Arbogast were hired as co-executive producers, working alongside Howard and Boden to bring the show to life.
Black said she enjoyed the challenge of juggling the accelerated pre-production process with the other tasks needed to get ready to film.
“It was a lot of things I wasn’t expecting … but also then having to keep in mind what our network execs want, what our head of production was looking for, and what my co-producer Jackie needs for cam set up and staging. There were a lot of things in the back of my mind.”
Once they established the show’s structure, Black and Arbogast had to prepare for two days of shooting: one on location where current students and alumni were asked questions about a particular Los Angeles location, and the other in the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program’s new studio. There, the studio host would lead two contestants in battling it out for the grand prize, which consisted of an engraved trophy and a stuffed Otto the Orange doll.
Students Sofia Dixon and Isabella Austin were brought on as writers, with Sophia Moore coming on as assistant director. TRF juniors Erin Flack and Laura Jacobson were brought on as the studio and field hosts, with Elizabeth Gelber and Jack Goodman, both senior TRF majors, as the inaugural in-studio contestants.
After a month of hiring and logistics, shooting began on location in early July, starting at the Television Academy in North Hollywood. The home of the Emmy Awards, the academy is right next door to the Newhouse LA’s home at the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program campus.
Working with students and alumni as on-location contestants, they ended the day filming at Television City, home of the iconic Stage 33, where programs including “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Price is Right” were filmed.
A week later, the crew entered the Dick Clark Los Angeles center’s sound stage to film the in-studio portion, with edited location footage, new contestants and a new host. Gelber and Goodman were asked by Flack to answer the same questions as the on-location players, in addition to guessing if the field contestant got the answer correct.
“I’ve never been on a set before, so it’s been really cool to experience it in real time with all the lighting and the cameras and different set-ups,” Flack said.
The executive producers had to maneuver filming around phones ringing, microphone issues and loud planes flying overhead—just like what happens on shoots on the TV networks.
Arbogast loved diving head-first into the world of managing crew and dealing with logistics.
“That’s the stuff I enjoy,” she said. “I think that I would be an executive producer again. I love how we persisted in such a quick turnaround… It was a learning experience for me to take someone else’s idea and try to curate it in the way they want it to be.”
On the last day of the summer ‘24 Newhouse LA program, students finally got to view the episode. Rowdy cheers and waves of claps filled the halls of the Dick Clark Center as students laughed watching their friends and peers on screen, as “Two Truths and a Lie” came to life.
The final product—the 30 minute-long pilot episode— aired Aug. 7 on OTN and is available on YouTube. It’s the result of the work and dedication students put in while still juggling classes and internships through their Newhouse LA summer semester.
The Newhouse LA program and OTN plan to shoot the next episode during the Spring 2025 semester.
Lizzy Calvo is a senior in the magazine, news and digital journalism program at the Newhouse School.
Newhouse LA Student Spotlight: Carly Fox
I am now going into my junior year and I would be lying if I didn’t say Newhouse LA was one of my favorite semesters. I am so grateful to be a part of a program that is so dedicated to its students’ education and overall experience while studying in a new city. I have learned so much about the entertainment industry while being in LA and have gotten so many cool opportunities, such as going to premieres, production studios and connecting with amazing alumni that are currently working in the industry. I am an intern at Beyond Productions and it has been amazing. I am a TV development intern so I have been doing research on projects and getting first looks at shows in development. This is by far the most transformative program I have ever been on, especially career and education wise. This program has defined my love for television and this industry, and I am so excited to see what the future holds!
Carly Fox is a junior studying television, radio and film at the Newhouse School.
Newhouse LA Student Spotlight: Elizabeth Hendrigan
Hi! My name is Elizabeth, and I’m a rising junior at Syracuse University studying film in the school of Visual and Performing Arts. I chose to attend the Newhouse LA program as a VPA student because I wanted to explore a side of film that I haven’t previously had much experience with: business and communications. I knew that Newhouse would have the best resources to help me do that.
I am interning at an LA-based talent agency and production company called ATN Entertainment, which specializes in strengthening the resumes of clients who are often underrepresented in the talent scope, especially women and LGBTQ+ actors and artists. My day-to-day work as an intern includes lots of organizational projects and administrative work, as well as some practice with submitting clients for reputable shows and films using industry standard casting websites that have taught me the ins and outs of the very important role that talent agents play in entertainment. I am very grateful to be working with a team that aligns with my personal goals to remove systematic inequalities from this industry and replace them with more ethical and equal opportunities for all.
My favorite part of the Newhouse LA program has been the opportunity to explore a new social environment! Being in LA has launched me into the world of networking like never before, and there is no denying that LA is the best place to meet new people and make long lasting connections with others who share my passion for film. I spend most of my free time trying new coffee shops and restaurants (there are soooo many unique places to explore here), attending SULA events, and of course, relaxing at the beautiful beaches or by the pool.
Elizabeth Hendrigan is a junior studying film in the school of Visual and Performing Arts.
Bridging Coasts and Building Careers
Syracuse University’s programs in Los Angeles allow students to explore their dreams in the entertainment world.
A look at a map would suggest that Syracuse and Los Angeles could hardly be more distant. But for many Syracuse University students, the experience of living and learning in LA—the sunny entertainment capital of the world and an epicenter for culture in every form—is an integral part of their college journey.
Through the University’s Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, students have opportunities to explore the industries that interest them, expand academically and get a taste of life on the West Coast. They learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience in internships and connect with a huge and supportive network of accomplished alumni. Syracuse’s study away programs in LA allow students to experience the best of both worlds: a close and supportive community and extraordinary access into the expansive educational and professional opportunities of LA.
In Training for Sports Journalism
“Los Angeles has every sport—as much as it’s known for Hollywood, it’s also known for sports,” says Luke Backman ’25, who is majoring in broadcast and digital journalism in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and aspires to a career in sports broadcasting. “I knew this would be a great opportunity.”
One of the most impactful aspects of his Newhouse Los Angeles experience has been the sports production class he is taking with seasoned sports media executive Jeff Proctor. “This has been the greatest class I’ve ever taken. Professor Proctor has connections everywhere—he’s done Clippers games, Lakers games, the Angels, boxing—and he brings in the greatest guests,” Backman says. “This course has given me a whole new perspective on sports production and really helped me understand the industry.”
Backman took an internship with MSM Productions, an Emmy Award-winning production company known for its sports-related storytelling, which complements his classroom learning with professional experience. “MSM Productions is doing the best of the best, the biggest of the biggest. This is an amazing place to be for someone who wants to be in sports media.”
Backman has also appreciated the community fostered in the LA program. “The Los Angeles program does a really great job making everyone feel included. We do events together—we toured Warner Bros.—and we have dinners together. I’ve made so many new friends and it really feels like a family,” he says.
To Live and Learn in LA: The Newhouse LA Experience
If I had to sum up my experience in Los Angeles during the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program—which houses the Newhouse LA program—with one phrase, it would be “more than worth the price of admission.”
As someone who was born and raised on the East Coast, I always wondered what it would be like to live in Los Angeles. Before committing to Syracuse University, I was even interested in attending schools like the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. The Newhouse LA program allowed me to spend a semester in a city I might never have had the chance to live in otherwise, and now, I have roots here that will extend far beyond my time here this semester.
From the moment I arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport, I felt as if I was in a totally different world than Syracuse—and that was OK. There is no doubt that there was a transition period. From the time difference to the lowest temperature being in the mid 50s in January (although no complaints there), I knew immediately that I wasn’t in Upstate New York.
Instead of living in a South Campus apartment, I was treated to a beautifully modern apartment in Burbank with amenities like pools and a gym, among other things. And although certain buildings on the Syracuse campus —like Newhouse—are stunning in their own right, the Los Angeles program campus is brand new and has a premium feel to it. Syracuse University does an excellent job of providing everything a student needs to feel as comfortable as they would feel on campus and it’s very much appreciated.
Of course, it would only be a vacation if it weren’t for the classes. I took seven classes this semester, which is definitely more than most students. But if I had to choose the most memorable courses, it would be the sports production and acting classes.
As somebody who is interested in going into the sports media field, the sports production class—part of the Newhouse LA sports media communications program—was right up my alley. Taught by Jeff Proctor, a former producer at CBS and Fox Sports, the class was all about what goes into producing a sports broadcast.
Arguably, the best part of the class was the field trips, including outings to see the Los Angeles Lakers and the G-League’s South Bay Lakers. We got a behind-the-scenes look at the production truck and the work it took to produce live sporting events.
In some cases, we even got to do a pregame report from the field of play that was fully produced by the same professionals that produced the game. For those interested in sports television and broadcasting, that class alone is worth the trip to Southern California.
The acting was taught by former actress Barbara Deustch. Prior to this semester, I had never taken an acting class, nor did I have any interest in doing so. However, I’m so happy that I did. Barbara started us off with improv exercises and by the end of the semester I was performing a scene from the 1992 film “A Few Good Men” in front of a large audience. I always thought acting was an innate skill, but this class taught me that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Outside of classes, I interned with Fox Sports as a features intern over the semester. Getting to work in one of the major sports channels was really cool and I got to meet producers as well as talent for studio shows such as “Speak” with Emannuel Acho, Joy Taylor and others.
When I wasn’t working on classwork and internship responsibilities, there were tons of things to do in Los Angeles. The program offered many events for us such as movie premieres, outings to a Los Angeles Dodgers game and more. We also did some community service by doing a beach clean-up at Santa Monica beach.
Without a doubt, this has been the best semester of my college career, and I am so glad I took a leap of faith to travel across the country for this program.
Dhani Joseph will be a senior in the fall in the broadcast and digital journalism program at the Newhouse School.