LA Quarter

The DePaul LA Quarter offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the inner workings of Hollywood first hand. This ten-week immersion program is structured around living in Los Angeles, taking classes on a historic studio lot, and interning at high profile companies that align with students' professional aspirations. Through this experience, students learn how to navigate the studio system and build a network of professional contacts that will help them leave their mark on the entertainment industry.

The School of Cinematic Arts Los Angeles office and classrooms are located on the historic Sunset Gower Studios lot. Formerly the site of Columbia Pictures, where classic like It Happened One Night and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington were filmed, Sunset Gower is now one of Hollywood’s largest independent studios with 22 state-of-the-art production stages and home to the ABC series Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder.

The program is open to all current DePaul University graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in working in the film, television, and gaming industry.

International students interested in participating in the LA Quarter Program must check in with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) before applying.

Program Fee

Participants of the LA Quarter are required to pay a program fee that covers housing in a fully furnished apartment, studio tours, and networking events. This fee will not exceed $5000. The cost of food, personal expenses, and transportation to, from, and around Los Angeles are not included in this fee.*

Students who currently take advantage of financial aid may also be eligible for additional loans. The Office of Financial Aid will increase your cost of education for the quarter in which you participate in the LA Quarter to match the program fee. This will allow you to borrow an additional amount of either the Parent Plus Loan or Grad Plus Loan. For more information on this additional financial assistance and to see if you qualify, please contact the Financial Aid office:

*While not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you have access to a car due to the lack of public transportation options in Los Angeles.

Internships

Internships are a key step in gaining experience and opportunity in the film and television industry and because of this, they are the centerpiece of the LA Quarter program.

Participants are required to secure their own internship after they have been accepted into the program. Students who are proactive in their search usually have a variety of internships to choose from due to the number of opportunities in Los Angeles. Resume & cover letter support and internship leads are provided.

Past internships include: Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Studios, Disney Studios, William Morris Endeavor, Panavision, Conan, Producers Guild of America, HBO, Logo, Benderspink, Jim Henson Company, Gary Sanchez Productions, Anonymous Content, CAA, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Bold Films, Funny or Die.

Courses

Participants in the LA Quarter will be enrolled in a set of industry-focused courses designed to maximize their experience in the program. All courses are held at night at the historic Sunset Gower Studios Lot. Workday hours are reserved for the students' internship opportunities.

Undergraduate students will be enrolled automatically in the following courses:

Undergraduate students who participate in the summer session will only be enrolled in FILM 298 Internship in Media Production / Post Production.

Graduate students will be enrolled automatically in the following courses:

*Graduate students who participate in the spring quarter will be enrolled in SCWR 445 Industry and Pitching Seminar in lieu of SCWR 445 Hollywood History.

Housing

Participants in the LA Quarter reside in a fully furnished, two-bedroom apartment at Park La Brea. This centrally located complex is across the street from the Grove shopping center and the Los Angeles County Musem of Art (LACMA).

Amenities include:

Gated, secure entrance
Laundry facilities
Health club
160 acres of parks and gardens
Jogging path
Outdoor cafes
Reserved parking space

Apply

The LA Quarter is offered throughout the academic year. Application deadline is a month before quarterly course enrollments and applicants will be notified of their admissions status before enrollment begins. Applying does not guarantee acceptance.

Apply now for the Fall 2020 LA Quarter

The application will remain open until Friday, July 10th.

Deadlines

Fall Quarter – Application available in March / Due in April
Winter Quarter – Application available in September / Due in October
Spring Quarter – Enrollment limited to graduating seniors and graduate students / Application available in January / Due in February
Special Programs – Application available in February / Due in March

Requirements

Statement of Intent – This 2–3 page paper should focus on why you would like to participate in the LA Quarter, what you plan to do with your time there, potential internships you would like to pursue, and ultimately how this experience will help you achieve your long-term goals.

Sample of Creative Work – Sample should coincide with your career aspirations. Please provide external links to short films/reels rather than uploading files.

Two Faculty Recommendations – Provide the names of two DePaul faculty members that support your application. They do not have to provide you with a letter of recommendation.

Program Fee

Participants of the LA Quarter are required to pay a program fee that covers housing in a fully furnished apartment, studio tours, and networking events. This fee will not exceed $5000. The cost of food, personal expenses, and transportation to, from, and around Los Angeles are not included in this fee.*

Students who currently take advantage of financial aid may also be eligible for additional loans. The Office of Financial Aid will increase your cost of education for the quarter in which you participate in the LA Quarter to match the program fee. This will allow you to borrow an additional amount of either the Parent Plus Loan or Grad Plus Loan. For more information on this additional financial assistance and to see if you qualify, please contact the Financial Aid office:

Counseling Line:
(312) 362.8610
Fax:
(312) 362.5748
Email:
finaid1@depaul.edu
DePaul University
Office of Financial Aid
Mailing Address:
DePaul Center, Room 9100
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-2287

*While not a requirement, it is highly recommended that you have access to a car due to the lack of public transportation options in Los Angeles.

Contact

For general inquiries about the program, please e-mail DePaulLA@cdm.depaul.edu, or call 323.468.5111.