Inside the Hollywood Semester

04/30/2013 11:19 PM

Phil Nemy and Jeff Weber discuss Hollywood with Bradley students

By Crystal Vining ‘13

 

From red carpets to music studios, Bradley students have had the opportunity to travel to Hollywood for a semester to learn about the entertainment industry.

While in southern California, students are required to take several courses taught by working professionals and have an internship of their choosing. Jeff Weber and Phil Nemy created this program so students could have the opportunity to learn more about the industry they have grown to love.

Nemy was teaching a film course at the University of Texas when the students wanted to do more than sit in the classroom. With the help of Weber, they were able to create a semester long program for the school. Since its creation, the program has reached out to other schools including Bradley University.

“Bradley is the only school that has a year long program,” Nemy said. “We are glad to be working with all of the students who decide to participate in the program.”

While many students may not know exactly where the future will take them, Nemy believes that the Hollywood semester at Bradley is a great stepping-stone into the real world.

“In school, you learn the theory and the craft but you miss out on the real life experience. This program is the bridge to a future career,” Nemy explained.

Nemy has been in the entertainment business for more than 20 years. He worked with Disney and helped created such film hits as “Pretty Woman,” “Armageddon,” “The Princess Diaries” and “Pearl Harbor.” He is currently the Executive Director of the University of Texas Los Angeles center and oversees the Bradley Hollywood Semester program.

Weber has two Grammy awards and has worked with some of the greatest singers in the industry, including Diane Shuur, Jackson Browne, Rita Coolidge, Luther Vandross, and Etta James. Weber, after college, wanted to be a lawyer yet he could not stay away from the music industry. He said he wishes the program had been available when he was starting out and believes it can change a student’s viewpoint.

“Something I try to teach is that it takes a lot of work to be mediocre but imagine how much work it takes to be great,” Weber said. “Once you know what that feels like, you will never stop working towards a larger goal.”

Applications for the spring 2014, summer 2014 and fall 2014 Bradley University Hollywood Semester program are being accepted at http://slane.bradley.edu/hollywood-semester or contact B. J. Lawrence, 309-677-2368, [email protected]