There are two kinds of Emerson students: Those who come here ready to put the pedal to the metal in a career track they wouldn’t change for the world, and those who welcome the chance to embark on a new professional journey.
Alex Hough, a senior BFA writing, literature & publishing major, would probably describe herself as the latter. After taking Christopher Keane’s Advanced Seminar Workshop in Screenwriting last spring, really enjoying it, and then taking it a second time in the fall, Hough knew it was time to check out her options. As a senior, she wanted her resumé to reflect her newfound interest in screenwriting.
That’s how she decided to apply for Creative Minds in Cannes, a program giving students a chance to delve into the Cannes Film Festival in France—an international film festival the New York Times calls “the world’s most prestigious” of its kind—in ways not always available to the average attendant. Hough found out about the opportunity through an eCampus posting for an information session she couldn’t attend. She looked up the program online, applied early decision in November, and was shocked and excited to find out she was accepted just a few weeks later, she said.
“There are people on this campus you always hear about—they’re in every student club. I’m not that student,” Hough said. “I’ve never been overseas, I’ve never been to a film festival, I’ve never had this kind of experience, so it’s exciting to do something new that will hopefully help me in the future.”
As a participant in the program’s networking track, Hough says staff will help her create an itinerary of screenings, Q&A sessions with industry professionals, and networking events to attend during the festival, which takes place May 11-22. “It’s just an easier way to have access to the festival,” Hough said. “Going to the festival with hundreds of press, and actors, and movie directors, you’re only one person.”
She also plans to bring along a few scripts she has written. “It’ll just be nice to talk to industry professionals and other people there about writing my scripts,” she said, adding she hopes the experience will give her an edge in applying for future jobs and internships.
To read Hough’s blog while she’s at the festival, or to make a donation for her trip, visit her website.
Photo provided by Hough.