By Matt Meade
As the first half of the summer has flashed by in the blink of an eye, I find myself suddenly at the last portion of the MSLCE program with graduation right around the corner. Luckily, as part of MSLCE’s experiential learning requirement, I sought out and secured a position with 2112 Chicago, a business incubator focused on the music, film, and tech industries in the city. This has put me into a vast network of creative industry professionals and has given me hands-on professional experience. (more…)
Blog
By Alyssa Holcomb
As the poet Lin-Manuel Miranda once wrote, “There’s nothing like summer in the city…”
The day after spring quarter finals, I packed up and moved out of my apartment. The next day, I was on a one-way trip to New York City. Needless to say, it’s been non-stop since then. But based on my experience so far, I’ll keep it that way.
This summer, I am working as a Student Associate at The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) – and it’s been a consistent “pinch me” moment these first few weeks. Since I was seven years old, I’ve dreamed of seeing a show at the World’s Most Famous Arena (thanks, NSYNC’s HBO special). Now, I get to WORK there. (more…)
by Thomas Wall
This past winter, Emmy-winning film producer and CEO/Founder of MWM (Madison Wells Media), Gigi Pritzker visited Northwestern’s campus, and left a big impression on many students over the course of her visit. In January, she shared stories from her life and her career with MSLCE students at a Speaker Series event, and followed that session up with a more intimate Fireside Chat in early February. The candid advice, colorful stories, and behind-the-scenes tidbits from the life of a Hollywood producer and self-made entrepreneur captivated all in attendance. But, for a few students, the experience helped to lead to a meaningful and productive summer quarter in Los Angeles. (more…)
BY ALYSSA HOLCOMB
Professor Gail Berger’s Leading Creative Teams course reinforced more than just class themes and curriculum. Through two group-based projects, as well as an individual leadership presentation, hard work was elevated through teamwork, resulting in a busy but rewarding course that made us all reflect on what truly makes a good leader. (more…)
By ALYSSA HOLCOMB
Emmy-winning sound designer Paula Fairfield has a lot to say about a lot of things. With each example she gave from her storied career, she hit point after point about what it means to be human, finding solace and healing through your work, and letting your “freak flag fly” in your chosen industry. It was inspiring beyond a professional sense – she showed that emotion is okay in your work, and in fact, it can make it even better. (more…)
By Brenna C. Cronin
With NBC executives present, the 2019 MSLCE cohort presented their marketing plans for the future of NBC Universal, our class case study and learning sponsor this quarter. Charged with designing a rebranding strategy for NBCU, the cohort underwent nine weeks of research, design, and implementation of our brand concepts. “The project for our final was a really great opportunity. It’s very relatable to me and my background. It was truly helpful to navigate my current company’s problems. We are really struggling, and a lot of the insights from the course were helpful,” shared MSLCE student Jayoung Yang. (more…)
By Brenna C. Cronin
With a stack of impact reports in hand, Michelle Boone—Chief Engagement Officer of Navy Pier, started our site visit with the power of information. Programming and community engagement are the drumbeats of her department and deserve incredible recognition for the revitalization of Navy Pier as it stands today. (more…)
By ALYSSA HOLCOMB
Before this trip, I had only been to Los Angeles twice in a tourism-driven setting. This time, the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see the many cogs that make up one of entertainment’s driving centers was more than appealing. Third time’s the charm, right? (more…)
by Thomas Wall
On a trip that took us from Steven Spielberg’s private screening room, inside the headquarters for one of the country’s top talent agencies, and backstage during a live taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live, it’s understandably difficult to pick just one or two of the most impactful moments for me. The entire trip was an exhausting, exhilarating whirlwind that left me educated, inspired, and ultimately missing the Southern California sunshine. But, ironically enough, for a trip that covered so much ground over the course of five March days in Los Angeles, one of the most impactful moments for me personally actually began nearly two months prior, right here in Evanston. (more…)
By Yayun Wang
The MSLCE Trip brought us together in San Francisco to enjoy five days of corporate visits, an alumni reception, and open networking. We met and networked with industry leaders and gained newfound experiences and knowledge across the creative industries. (more…)