Bradley University Hollywood Semester

08/29/2026

In general, we like to kick off the excursions with something with a little bite to it.

Eh? See what I did there? Bite? Eh?

Okay, anyway. Lotta cool stuff. Regular-size Oscars. Oversize-Oscars. Actual magic roses under fancy glasses from the live-action "Beauty and The Beast" that was really a wholly-unnecessary movie when you get right down to it but what're you gonna do?

Outside, the heat was hot, but all's well that ends well. At the In 'N Out Burger (Burgers not pictured. Maybe later).

08/24/2026

Ever wake up in the middle of the night wondering where this year's megahit movie, "Obsession" did its sound work, effects, and final mix? Wonder no more.

And neither do the fine men and women of the Fall '26 Hollywood Semester have to wonder. Because they were there yesterday.

Ava, Elizabeth, and Trevor hung out in one of the sacred temples of Hollywood sound, Juniper Post, as award-winning re-recording mixer Ben Zarai worked his magic on the short film Bradley students crewed during the *previous* Hollywood Semester.

Left to right, you've got writer/director/editor David Dodson, Hollywood Semesterites Ava R., Elizabeth S, and Trevor F., then finally the man the myth the legend, Ben Zarai.

Seriously, there's every chance Ben is going to be nominated for an Oscar this year for "Obsession."

Also, I'm proud of Ava, Elizabeth, and Trevor for resisting the urge to steal the One Wish Willow box prop actually used in the movie that Juniper has there on the mix stage. It took noble restraint.

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

Once upon a time, in Ye Olde Los Angeles, the Fall '26 Hollywood Semester went to Don Cuco's. Kitschy respite for the weary makers of filmed entertainment. It was time to celebrate!

Fajitas sizzled, tacos...uh, taco'd. With great anticipation, Ava, Elizabeth, and Trevor awaited the arrival of the cake, surely emblazoned by one of California's finest pastry artisans!

But yet...eyes cast upon its frosted magnificence, the cohort's jollity turned to melancholy. For upon the table was the cake, its message of welcome...misspelled!

What dark magic was this?

Trevor, blade poised, looked up in dismay. Ava and Elizabeth gazed with a skeptical mien at the offending coecel.

An auspicious start that caused Howard to search for a magistrate and Elizabeth to gaze into the abyss of her margarita.

Nevertheless, the cake 'twas delicious. 'Twas!

05/27/2026

Congratulations to all the Hollywood Semester alumni who just graduated!

Rome Tews! Autumn Buckner! Keira Hickey! Cara Nowlin! Sarah Arseneau! Marisel Schalck! Rae Kaczmarek! Owen Robison! Elias Velazquez! Katie Brown! Patrick Sheeley!

We like to think that 100% of your success in life will be because of the Hollywood Semester and the sheer tonnage of exclamation points in this post!

05/02/2026

The Spring 2026 Bradley University Hollywood Semester Farewell Dinner.

As long as we're quoting great writers, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." And, a little like life itself, it's impossible to not hold our joy in one hand while holding our grief in the other.

But we know that we are lucky to have had Katie, Kiera, Chris, Cara, William, Christian, Will, Patrick, Rome, Elias, Sam, and Cameron. You did remarkable things because you are remarkable people.

We will miss you in one hand, we celebrate your future in the other.

Also, we've got like 7.5 metric tons of refried beans here from last night. Someone take it. Please. Seriously. Take the beans.

05/01/2026

Stars in the sunlight. That's what you get when you visit L.A.'s iconic hilltop observatory, that storied background to "La La Land," "The Terminator," "Rebel Without a Cause," and endless more.

Laying there in the dark, eyes up at the celestial dome, you never know who might be living in the vast, ineffable space around us.

04/30/2026

A couple of weeks ago, the Hollywood Semester crewed a short film. A mix of Bradley and seasoned professionals, the production was two days in the California desert outside of Acton.

The Hollywood Semester showed up as novices, but left as experts. And, if you'll allow me a personal note, the students brought it. They learned fast and worked hard, and it was remarkable to watch.

Because of our recent loss, these memories will always be bittersweet, but we could not be more proud and impressed with the incredible job done by the Bradley University Hollywood Semester.

04/24/2026

Cameron Paul

In Loving Memory