IU Hits the Big Screen

What do the executive producer of the Batman movies, the director of “National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze” and actor Kevin Kline all have in common?
Aside from success reaching to the Hollywood Hills, all three share one alma mater: IU.

IU’s film glory extends beyond ritual screenings of the Little 500-inspired film “Breaking Away” each April. Promising graduates have grown from their Hoosier beginnings to make their mark on the big screen.

“There’s a really strong group of alumni out here,” said Leila Marsh, who moved to Los Angeles the day after graduating with a B.A. in telecommunications last May. “We call ourselves the Hollywood Hoosiers.”

With chapters in L.A., Chicago and New York, the Hollywood Hoosiers bring together IU alumni working in the entertainment industry. Members gather for mixers and occasional large events to reconnect and network.

“It’s a good place to go when you have questions but don’t want to ask your boss,” Marsh said.

One 1989 graduate decided it was easier to be his own boss. David Hillenbrand, director of “National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze,” launched an entertainment company called Hill & Brand Entertainment with his brother 12 years ago.

“We made our first film by maxing out 45 credit cards,” Hillenbrand said.

The financial risk was worth it to Hillenbrand, who has the freedom to be involved in the writing, producing, directing and composing of his company’s films. Instead of sticking to one arena, Hillenbrand was encouraged by an IU professor to develop all of his interests.

“Ron Osgood said I could do it all without having to focus on one small area,” Hillenbrand said.

Osgood, a professor in the Department of Telecommunications, also influenced another graduate, Amy Krider, who is now a marketing producer for DreamWorks Animation. Krider took an editing class with Osgood that made her consider a career in editing.

“Ron has always been a great mentor for me,” Krider said. “I never made it to be an editor, but I work with them all the time.”

Krider, who graduated in 1999, works in the custom animation department of DreamWorks for marketing purposes. For example, her department created animation simulating a real-life interview between Shrek and Barbara Walters to promote the upcoming release of “Shrek Forever After.”

Krider’s team has produced animation for all four Shrek films, “Madagascar” and “Madagascar 2,” “Over the Hedge,” “Flushed Away,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Before she started marketing for such big-time films, Krider learned to have an open mind about job opportunities.

“I interviewed to drive the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile senior year,” Krider said.
She wasn’t selected to drive the meat-themed automobile, but Krider quickly found a better gig. She landed her big break through a job found on Craigslist.

“I read an article in Time Magazine that it was the hidden job market,” Krider said. “I found a job description for a marketing assistant at DreamWorks and came to find out that my boss-to-be was an IU grad.”

Breaking into the film industry has never been easy, but now graduates from all majors seem to be worrying about finding their dream job.

Current IU senior, Ed WU improved his film skills and made a start on achieving his dream in April’s Campus MovieFest. He teamed up with other IU students to create the award-winning film “Giggles.”

“I gained a lot of experience in learning how to manage time and how to work under stressful conditions,” Wu said. “Having only a week to produce a project was pretty intense.”

The team’s efforts paid off at the International Grand Finale in Las Vegas when “Giggles” received the Golden Tripod Award for best editing.

Wu’s next project includes making a music video for hip-hop artist Jana G., a client of Vince Lawrence, co-founder of Chicago’s Slang Musicgroup who has previously worked with artists such as Michael Jackson and R. Kelly. Eventually, Wu hopes to become a cinematographer by following the path of so many IU graduates before him and moving to California.

While Wu’s opportunities in the industry continue to expand, Krider said it is important for students not to overlook a job that seems outside of their interests.

“It may not be your perfect job, but if it gives you good exposure and is a place where you can learn, it’s something to consider,” Krider said.

Marsh gained this type of experience at a small production company, Drexel Box. Founded and run by several IU graduates, Drexel Box has released feature-length independent films that can now be rented through Netflix. Marsh learned about production when she volunteered for Drexel Box as an office production assistant.

“I was able to learn what it takes to put together a production in a safe environment,” Marsh said.