Establishing yourself in an arts and entertainment gig is seldom an easy matter. Having… Establishing yourself in an arts and entertainment gig is seldom an easy matter. Having connections and experience can give you an edge against the competition, and there are plenty of organizations nearby to help get your foot in the door.

Pittsburgh Filmmakers

Whether you’re interested in filmmaking, film production or photography, Pittsburgh Filmmakers has the full gamut of courses available to Pitt students. In addition to offering courses year-round, Filmmakers showcases student work as well as foreign and indie films. The organization’s biggest event, the Three Rivers Film Festival, features everything from documentary films to silent films with live musical accompaniment. For more information about courses or events, visit www.pghfilmmakers.org.

Pitt in Hollywood

An excellent way to connect with multiple branches of the entertainment industry is to get involved with Pitt in Hollywood. The Pitt club brings in speakers on a regular basis, including managers, actors and producers. With film internships being an ideal means of entering into the biz, Pitt in Hollywood connects members to internship opportunities. To learn more about Pitt in Hollywood’s events and membership, check out www.pittinhollywood.org.

UPTV — The Creation Station

By putting together television shows from square one, UPTV allows students to bring their ideas from the creative phases to the small screen. Equipment and training are provided by the organization, and people interested in acting or production have the opportunity to break out of theoretical learning and give hands-on experience a whirl. Check out UPTV’s broadcast on campus channel 46, or pop by www.pitt.edu/~creation to read more.

WPTS

A student-run radio station, WPTS transmits from atop the Cathedral of Learning with an average broadcast of approximately 30 miles. The station plays alternative music 24/7 all year, connecting listeners to a wide variety of music and artists. Working for WPTS introduces students to the reality of working in radio, and the station’s structure balances a professional environment with creativity. To hear the Web stream, read about upcoming concerts or learn more about the station, swing by wpts.org.

The Pitt News

Finally, The Pitt News offers the perfect opportunity to gain experience in journalism and creative writing. As a major college publication, working with us is nothing to sneeze at. We hire new writers in news, opinions, A’E and sports every semester, and every major at Pitt is welcome to apply. Visit our Web site at www.pittnews.com, or come by the office to ask about employment opportunities.