VPA LA Semester

The VPA LA Semester is an immersive professional development program that provides students with a unique opportunity to work as interns in Los Angeles while taking academic courses taught by LA professionals with expertise in their given discipline. The program is designed to broaden students’ understanding of career opportunities and gain skills to network and succeed professionally.

VPA LA’s Fall 2025 semester will focus on art and design (appropriate for students majoring in animation, illustration, design, and studio arts). The Spring 2026 semester will focus on entertainment (appropriate for students majoring in drama, film, communication and rhetorical studies, music industry, and sound recording and technology). Regardless of which semester you choose, you will be able to meet professional guest panelists, attend events, take engaging courses taught by active faculty, and demystify LA as a city and an industry.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation, in December 2023 Syracuse University’s Los Angeles center moved to the North Hollywood (NoHo) Arts District. The new Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program includes state-of-the-art space for offices and classrooms as well as a studio and student lounge. In addition to VPA LA, the Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program is home to Newhouse LA and administrative offices for admissions, development, alumni engagement, and career services.

“I learned so much from industry professionals who taught and visited classes, volunteered as mentors, attended planned events, and in my internship. The experience was amazing. It definitely helped me as I transitioned from being a student to working in the film and media industry.” – Ruchatneet Printup ’23, VPA LA Semester participant

Application Deadlines*

Fall 2025 Semester: February 15, 2025
(Animation, illustration, design, studio arts majors)

Spring 2026 Semester: September 15, 2025
(Drama, film, communication and rhetorical studies, music industry, and sound recording technology majors)

*See the Admissions section below to ensure you apply correctly. If you need assistance or have questions, email to get in touch with the program director.

Courses

Fall Courses

Fall 2025

Year-Round Courses

FIL 500 Internships (3 credits)

The student will secure an internship that will meet the minimum number of 135 hours.  This practical internship experience in a professional environment, arranged with the help of the VPA Semester staff, will be at a company that is in line with the student’s learning objectives. The class will meet four times throughout this semester to explore your experiences at your internships and discuss any challenges or concerns. There will also be one-on-one meetings with the director that will take place twice during the semester. The purpose of these meetings is to make sure the student is meeting their goals and discuss any roadblocks to their learning outcomes.

CRS 360 Presentational Speaking: Networking and the Art of the Pitch (3 credits)

Your career is dependent on your ability to network. It is critical to know how sell yourself and your ideas to others, both to get work and to create your team around you to make it all happen. This course will explore places, industries, social media and other digital avenues to network today. This class will also explore online pitches, in-person pitches and the effective way to present yourself to get what you are looking for. The class will bring in guest panelists to hear pitches and give feedback.

FIL 500 Hiking in LA (1 credit)

Explore LA neighborhoods and Angelenos’ favorite pastime through hiking and see where LA’s different industries are located. Guests will join the hikes to discuss living in LA and making it in the industry through a casual and fun experience.

Fall Courses

AIC 400 Art in LA (3 Credits)

Explore art in Los Angeles by visiting art studios, studying Los Angeles based artists and critiquing work. Open to all students but required for studio art majors.

ARI 400 Art Practices: Capstone 1 (3 credits)

Part one of a two-course sequence that supports and guides students in an independent project or body of work as the culmination of each student’s educational experience, intellectual interests and artistic pursuits. For studio art majors only.

CAR 500 Special Topics in Animation: ZBrush (1 credit)

ZBrush is the industry-standard digital sculpting software, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting that are essential for today’s entertainment artists. By following the curriculum and through hands-on practice, students can develop a strong foundation in ZBrush and become proficient in creating stunning 3D models. They will have limitless potential in the concept, illustration, 3D printing and production pipeline worlds. By the end of this course, students will have gained the foundational knowledge to start building their own models, and students will have made substantial progress in their modeling skills.

CAR 500 Special Topics in Animation: Unreal Engine (1 Credit)

Knowledge of Unreal Engine is quickly becoming the most sought-after attribute in college graduates seeking to enter the field of animation and VFX. This course will teach students how to use Unreal, culminating in an animated project at the end of the semester.

CRS 360 Animation and Culture (3 credits)

Students will explore the history of animation and its cultural implications. The course will look at how animation both reflects the global society and how animation conversely impacts society and culture. The course will explore the power of animation as a storytelling medium and how it has evolved in reaching new and broader/global audiences.

DES 441 Design Research (3 credits)

Design research involves answering questions and solving problems that are difficult to address through simple information retrieval, often referred to as ‘gaps’ in knowledge or understanding. As a practice, research necessitates the appropriate and relevant collection of data and information, formal analysis, and the formation of meaningful conclusions. Often, the outcomes of research explorations are not entirely clear. However, well-planned and mindfully executed investigations yield knowledge that either enhances understanding or suggests directions for future work on the topic.

A design researcher acquires knowledge pertinent to their project, crafts beautiful questions that delve deep into the topic or issue, has a distinct scientific process to study, and employs fitting methodologies to explore further, all while being very mindful of ethical practices. This mastery is the essence of this course.

ILL 451/CAR 431 Senior Portfolio Development (3 credits)

This course will build a professional portfolio for animation and illustration students to prepare for their career launch. Learn additional skills in social media, website design, and pitching ideas and self for employment.

ILL 457 Illustration Concepts: Visual Development Focus: Worldbuilding (3 credits)

For students interested in illustration/animation for visual development in entertainment, illustrating worlds with consistent story and concept designs. This course will have students work in teams to write a story outline, design characters and have at least three environments following the hero’s journey format.

Individual and collaborative projects will employ traditional and digital drawing and paint media, creating characters and environments. Final projects could include storyboards, animation, games or books in the final format.

ILL 500 Special Topics in Illustration: Foundations of Drawing (1 credit)

Spring Courses

Spring 2025

Year-Round Courses

FIL 500 Internships (3 credits)

The student will secure an internship that will meet the minimum number of 135 hours.  This practical internship experience in a professional environment, arranged with the help of the VPA Semester staff, will be at a company that is in line with the student’s learning objectives. The class will meet four (4) times throughout this semester to explore your experiences at your internships and discuss any challenges or concerns. There will also be one-to-one meetings with the Director which will take place twice during the semester. The purpose of these meetings is to make sure the student is meeting their goals and discuss any roadblocks to their learning outcomes.

CRS 360 Networking and the Art of the Pitch (3 credits)

Your career is dependent on your ability to network. It is critical to know how sell yourself and your ideas to others, both to get work and to create your team around you to make it all happen. This course will explore places, industries, social media, and other digital avenues to network today. This class will also explore online pitches, in person pitches and the effective way to present yourself to get what you are looking for. The class will bring in guest panelists to hear pitches and give feedback.

FIL 500 Hiking in LA (1 credit)

Spring Courses

FIL 520 Film Practicum: Professional Practices (3 credits)

This course will expose students to the different aspects of production from production design, sound/foley, music/composition, acting contracts (SAG), grant writing and fellowship/labs, distribution, and marketing. It will bring in industry panelists/speakers and go onsite to see sets, sound recording studios, mills for production design, camera/lighting rental houses, etc. It will prepare them to enter the professional sets better prepared for industry practices, know their rights, and expose them to other aspects of film that might be a career possibility moving forward.

FIL 420 Filmmaking: Senior Project  (3 credits)

Senior Project is a two-semester course for majors intended to integrate knowledge from previous theory and practice courses into a coherent whole. In this course you are expected to produce an artistic film or video. The film should demonstrate aesthetic and technical merit that stands as evidence of your development as an artist and as a synthesis of all you have learned in the BFA Film Program. Each student is responsible and accountable for his/her film concept and rationale, visual and audio strategies, direction and editing. You may use collaborators in the script, cinematography, sound, music, post-production, special effects, credits and sound mix.

FIL 500 Intro to Reality TV: Producing A Reality Episode for Amazing Race (1 credit)

This class will throw the students into the fire by making them Field Producers on a theoretical season of The Amazing Race. Each student will be assigned a different country/city; from there they will have to research the cultural and historical aspects of the destination in order to create a racecourse though the area. Students will have to assemble visuals and create decks in order to pitch their racecourses and challenges; they’ll need to take criticism, make changes, and re-pitch in order to get a creative sign-off. Once their racecourse is approved, they’ll have to plan the episode logistically (including travel, housing, props, food costs, etc) and budget it accordingly, presenting plans and paperwork for review by a real Line Producer, again taking notes, and tweaking their work until it is “approved to go to network.”

FIL 500 Episodic Writing: Two Sections (Comedy and Drama) (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a forum to discuss ideas and examine existing narratives to engage with the principles of visual storytelling to better understand narrative and dramatic structures. Students will learn the art of writing a script for episodic television and streaming while learning to pitch their stories to appropriate agencies. Students will be expected to read books, scripts, and industry trades as they relate to writing and business of television production in addition to watching several television shows. At the end of the course, students will complete a written pilot of high quality that could potentially be submitted for production.

FIL 500 Business of Documentaries (1 credit)

Question, what do Martin Scorsese, Ava DuVernay, Noah Baumbach, Todd Haynes, and Bo Burnham have in common? Answer, they’ve successfully crafted both scripted feature films and feature documentaries. When auteurs like these effortlessly flow in/out of storytelling forms, and their fiction and non-fiction projects began to be represented, sold and marketed equally, the seemingly quaint documentary form promptly became just another part of the Hollywood Industrial Complex. We’re not going to delve too deeply into the “form” and “art” of the Documentary in this class, rather, we’re going to dissect and explore why this storytelling technique has become big business. Students will meet and hear first-hand insight from filmmaking insiders from both the creative and business side, and at the end of the semester will have the opportunity to pitch their own idea to a panel of Documentary insiders.

CRS 360 Food in LA: Exploration of Food, Sustainability, and Food Insecurity (3 credits)

This course will survey the LA food landscape and how it is showcases the local and global impact of environmental and sustainability issues. Students will explore how Los Angeles is adapting to climate change, population changes and cultural factors to address both food insecurity and the politics of food in LA.

MUI 301 Record Production (3 credits)

The course’s purpose is to introduce interested students to aspects of record production and the role of the record producer. They will gain an understanding of the collaborative artistry of working with musicians, songwriters and A&R, record label staff. As a music business course, students will also become familiar with the financial aspect of record production, the recording fund, budgeting, costs, producer fees and royalties.

MUI 405 Music Industry Law and Ethics (3 credits)

Legal aspects of music industry. Ethical considerations for management and artists. Study of domestic and international copyrights, contracts, labor agreements, conflicts of interest, licensing, trade practice regulations, mechanical rights, taxation, privacy, piracy, and payola. Music industry major or permission of instructor.

MUI 409 Advanced DAW (3 credits)

The overall objective of MUI 409 is for the student possessing basic competence on modern DAW systems into a “power user” able to work in a professional music production environment. This course also includes diverse subjects and practicum experiences such as learning the art of high-level music editing in all genres, exploring the producer/engineer interface, the language of score markup and take based music production and editing. The semester culminates in several projects that utilize current mixdown tools and techniques, so the final product meets all technical and sound quality standards present in the music production industry today.

DRA 300 Professional Development in Acting for the Screen (1 credit)

Students will learn what materials are needed in getting an audition, reel development, website and effective headshots for film and TV casting.

DRA 300 Commercial Casting (1 credit)

This course will expose students to the materials required for commercial casting, the players in commercial casting/directing, and the know how to land a commercial.

DRA 300 Theater in LA (1 credit)

This course will expose students to the Los Angeles theater scene, meeting guest panelists, seeing theater shows and exploring unique LA plays and playwrights. This course will dive into well-established theater venues to smaller community theaters to explore LA’s vibrant theater offerings.

DRA 400 Advanced Screen Acting (3 credits)

Students will explore acting for the camera; techniques, blocking, working with directors, crew, etc. Students will come out with new material for reel development.

Internships

Internships are a central part of the VPA LA Semester program. Internships provide students with real-world experiences and valuable insights into career paths. Interns learn entry-level skills, become exposed to professional environments, make connections and develop tools that will aid them as young professionals. Learn more about VPA LA Semester internships.

Admissions

Admissions: Syracuse University Students

To be eligible to participate in the VPA LA Semester, Syracuse University students must meet the following requirements:

Fall and spring: juniors and seniors with a minimum of 60 credits completed
Summer: rising juniors and rising seniors
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Good conduct standing with the University

To apply, complete the following steps:

Fill out the VPA LA Semester Application.
Email your unofficial transcript to . To obtain an unofficial transcript, log into MySlice and follow the links for Student Services > My Academics > View My Advising Transcript. Save this pop-up as "YOURLASTNAME.pdf."
If you are applying from outside the College of Visual and Performing Arts, please also attach your VPA LA Home College Approval Form to the email.
Submit the VPA LA Semester $60 application fee.

Incomplete application materials will not be considered. Late submissions will be waitlisted.

Admissions: Non-Syracuse University Students

Non-Syracuse University students must meet the following requirements:

Visual and performing arts major, minor, or related program of study
Enroll as a full-time, non-matriculated student of Syracuse University for the semester of participation
Fall and spring: juniors and seniors
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Good conduct standing with your school. You cannot have any open sanctions or be on disciplinary probation during the semester in which you are applying for.
Home college approval
Interview with the VPA LA Semester director

Selection Criteria

Limited spaces are available for non-Syracuse University students. Priority is given to seniors, visual and performing arts majors, and students from accredited film-based programs. Final decision is at the discretion of the VPA LA Semester director and will be based on:

Interview with the director (Zoom)
Recommendations
Grades
Involvement in campus-based activities related to student’s career goals

Application Procedure and Checklist

Submit:

Upon acceptance you must enroll in Syracuse University for the semester in which you were accepted as a non-matriculated student. Syracuse University does not support financial aid awards from your current home college or university.

Mail your completed application materials to:

VPA LA Semester Program
4312 Woodman Ave., Suite 302
Sherman Oaks CA 91423

Once you have been accepted into the VPA LA Semester program, you will be emailed instructions regarding logging into the Syracuse University system to complete your enrollment.

Dates and Deadlines

Financials

	Fall/Spring
Student Program Fee	$1,500
Application Fee	$60
Syracuse University Undergraduate Tuition	See Tuition, Fees, and Related Policies
LA Housing	See our housing section

Airfare, car, course materials, food, gas, parking, personal expenses, and transportation are estimated expenses and provided for budgetary purposes. Expenses will vary depending on a student’s individual circumstances and are not billed to a student’s bursar account.

The semester expenses are based on a 15-week program.

Additional Costs to Consider
Transportation (car/gas/airfare) and meals are the responsibility of the student. The expenses below are an example of expenses incurred by students who have participated in the program. These expenses are not billed to the student from the Syracuse University Bursar’s office. These expenses should be taken into consideration when deciding if the VPA LA Semester Program is right for you. Actual charges will vary depending on student circumstances.

	Fall/ Spring	Summer
Personal expenses	$750 ($50/week)	$600 ($50/week)
Course materials (apps/books/online subscriptions)	$100	$100
Meals/groceries	$1,500 ($100/week)	$1,200 ($100/week)
Travel to and from LA	$400 to 600	$400 to 600
Car	$1,800 to $2,400 for shipping fees (round trip) $2,500 to $4,000 for rental fees (varies w/ car preference and student age)
Gas and parking	$1,500 ($100/week)	$1,200 ($100/week)
Public transportation (MetroCard)	$300 (30-day pass x 3 mos.)	$400 (30-day pass x 4 mos.)

Scholarships

“Through my internship and mentors, who were SULA alumni themselves, I was able to get comprehensive experience and exposure to film producing, development, and distribution as well as great advice and connections to the Los Angeles film industry.” – Shayaan Khan ’23, VPA LA Semester participant

Student Life

In addition to coursework and your internship, the VPA LA Semester offers many social and cultural opportunities to enjoy. We encourage you to have some fun while you are here and take full advantage of the California sunshine! You can find out more about Los Angeles and our neighborhoods at DiscoverLosAngeles.com.

Syracuse University’s Los Angeles office organizes many special events to engage alumni. Our VPA LA students have the unique opportunity to attend these events while they are here in California.

Housing

We have made arrangements with Kapi Residences so students can arrange for short-term fully furnished apartments, if desired. Students will choose their own housing and sign an individual lease with Kapi Residences. Students may also find alternative housing.

Please visit the Syracuse University Los Angeles (SULA) page on the Kapi website. You will find housing accommodations at Ava Studio City. There is also a welcome packet with further information as well as a list of what is included in each apartment.

Transportation

Los Angeles is very much a car-centric city. Access to a car is the best way to navigate between home, an internship and the SULA Center. Some students each semester use a ride share company like Uber or Lyft instead of arranging for a car. There is a public transportation system in LA but it is limited geographically. Using public transportation may increase commute time and may also require several transfers between trains and buses. Both ride share and public transportation may limit the internships to which students can apply as some internships require that the student have a car.

All transportation options should be researched thoroughly to understand the costs involved and the challenges each mode presents.

VPA LA Emergency Plan

VPA LA is dedicated to the safety of our students, and as such, we have emergency plans in place as a precaution due to the increased risk of wildfires and earthquakes in the Los Angeles area.

Below are guidelines to help you prepare for an emergency while participating in the VPA LA Semester. Earthquakes and wildfires are a part of living in the LA area. While unlikely, the possibility remains that an event serious enough to require your evacuation from your residence may occur with little advance notice. Thus, we recommend that all students prepare a “Go Bag” including at least three days of clothes, medications, critical documents, cell phone charger, bottled water, protein bars or other snacks. We also recommend purchasing a flashlight and leaving a pair of shoes under or close by your bed. Included below are guidelines for both earthquakes and wildfires. Please review and keep handy while studying in the LA area.

Wildfires

If wildfires are reported, be sure to follow the local news and reports on social media for the latest information on the location of the fires and their possible impact. Be sure to check with your internship before travelling there to make sure they will be open for business. If you believe that there is no safe route to your internship, then let them know that you will not be able to get there that day. You are responsible for evaluating your own situation and deciding on a course of action with your safety first as a priority.
The VPA LA Semester staff will also be following the progress of any wildfires and will advise all students accordingly by email, text or Rave Guardian with available public information. Please promptly read any messages and reply to check-in requests received via Rave Guardian or text. Please note that our staff does NOT have access to special information not otherwise available to the public. We will, however, use our experience as residents of LA to provide you with the best available public information.
If a students’ housing accommodation is impacted by a wildfire and the LA Fire Department or the Police Department determine that residents are required to evacuate, that student will be asked to contact VPA LA Semester staff and proceed to the SULA Center with their “go bag,” provided the area around the SULA Center is not also impacted. In the unlikely event that the SULA Center is also impacted, we advise students to proceed to the nearest evacuation facility as designated by the city.
VPA LA Semester staff also reserves the right to order your evacuation if authorities recommend (but do not mandate) an evacuation. Under these conditions, we will evaluate all available public information and determine a course of action. As with mandated evacuations, if we ask you to leave your residence you are asked to come to the SULA Center with your “Go Bag.”
Please be aware that VPA LA Semester staff will be in regular contact with support personnel from main campus in Syracuse during a crisis. The University will work diligently to promote your safety and to afford the opportunity to continue your academic work.

Earthquakes

Los Angeles does have the occasional earthquake that can be unsettling but does negligible damage. However, if there is a serious earthquake take steps to evaluate your immediate safety and act accordingly. If the building you are occupying has suffered extensive damage then vacate right away to an open space away from any buildings.
If you are away from your residence you should consider sheltering in place until the scope of the damage is known and you can determine whether it is safe to return home.
In the event of a major earthquake, students will be asked to promptly read any messages and reply to check-in requests received via Rave Guardian or text.
Please refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for procedures before and after an earthquake.
Emergency supply kits will be supplied to students.
The University will support the immediate needs of anyone who needs to evacuate due to earthquake damage. Once your immediate safety is addressed, please contact SULA Semester staff (if you have not already “checked in” via Rave Guardian or text) and we will assist as conditions allow.

Communication

The VPA LA Semester program utilizes Rave Guardian software to send notifications during emergency events. Students may receive notifications via text, email and/or push notification. All students participating in the VPA LA Semester program are expected to:

Promptly read any messages received via Rave Guardian or text message.
Promptly respond to “check in” notices received via Rave Guardian or text message.
Maintain a working smartphone throughout the program and keep the device charged and accessible throughout the program.
Notify the program director in the event their mobile device becomes permanently inaccessible (i.e., lost or stolen)
Notify the program director in the event that their mobile phone number changes.
Act in the best interest of their safety upon receiving notice of a critical event in their area.

Get Involved with VPA LA

It’s easy to see the advantages a Los Angeles learning experience brings to our students. Opportunities to learn from the world’s leading experts, interaction with the world-renown entertainment industry, visits to diverse cultural institutions, the challenges of living in a major metropolitan environment—all of these give students unique real-world insights that simply can’t be gained anywhere else. You can make such experiences possible in two ways:

Become a mentor. All Syracuse University alumni who are willing to share their experience as working professionals are invited. Sign up via our mentor form.
Designate your gift to the VPA LA fund. Many of these activities rely on ongoing funding, and your gift can be a source of crucial support.

Thank you for getting involved!

Program Director

Anna Proulx is the director of the VPA LA Semester. She has an extensive background in both arts and higher education management. Previously, she was the director of admissions for the American Film Institute Conservatory, a top-ranked master’s film program, and at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. She also managed the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, creatively supporting and working with international and domestic documentary filmmakers. Her passion throughout her career lies in finding, developing, and supporting artists through education.

Contact

VPA LA Semester
Syracuse University Dick Clark Los Angeles Program
5250 Lankershim Blvd, Suite 400
North Hollywood, CA 91601