EVOLVE ENTERTAINMENT FUND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BLOG SERIES

BLOG #2 – ALUMNI PROFILE: DAVID LEGEL

We’re thrilled to share our first blog in a series celebrating our students’ and alumni’s accomplishments in partnership with Mayor Garcetti’s Evolve Entertainment Fund (EEF). Eight Columbia College Hollywood students and recent alums are working or have worked at different sites across the city as part of the EEF Internship Program. The Evolve Fund is a public-private partnership aimed at creating new opportunities for communities that have been historically excluded from the entertainment industry.

With the 92nd Academy Awards today, we are excited to share this Alumni Profile on David Legal’s experience with creative powerhouse, Rideback, lead by CEO Daniel Lin who is also an EEF Advisory Committee member. Rideback Ranch houses Daniel Lin’s production company that is best known for the IT movies, The Lego Movie, Disney’s Aladdin (2019) and most recently, produced Two Popes, which is nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Actor in a Leading Role (Jonathan Pryce), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Anthony Hopkins), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Best of luck to all nominees!

Getting involved with the Evolve Entertainment Fund is an ongoing opportunity for CCH students. EEF is beginning their recruitment process for their paid summer internship program. Our Career Development Team will be hosting a workshop for students on the requirements and how to apply on Friday, February 14th at 1PM in the Main Theatre.

David Legel is a 2019 graduate of Columbia College Hollywood. He earned his BFA in Cinema with an emphasis in Producing and is currently working as a Development Intern with Rideback.

Why did you choose to attend college at CCH?
CCH is a small, tight-knit campus in an ideal location for the valley. It is competitively priced compared to other film schools, has a strong sense of community and creative culture, and most of all, incredible and passionate professors. All of which led to my choice to attend.

What are some of your responsibilities at Rideback?
As a Development Intern, I read a lot of pilots, feature film scripts, and other creative material ,which I do coverage on and give notes to. I am also tasked with research responsibilities, general office duties, and assisting the needs/requests of all Rideback employees.

Can you give an example of some of the things you’re learning?
Reading and doing coverage often allows me to assess the strengths and weaknesses of scripts currently being considered in the industry. I learn, not only the type of material being bought and sold but who is buying and selling; how it’s being bought and sold; where, when, etc. I learn how each department operates, delegates, and cooperates. I learn business strategies and a host of daily operation skills. 

How do you think attending CCH prepared you for your internship?
I think CCH really prepared me for the workforce in the industry I had aimed at working in. I understand how to be an effective employee, communicate in ways that increase my ability to network and get hired, strategize my career path, and prepare myself for obstacles or roadblocks.

How do you balance your personal life with your internship?
Balancing life has been incredibly difficult, and even more so since graduation. Creating a calendar, with daily or weekly, realistic goals has been my method of keeping up with everything in life. It’s important to feel like you can accomplish things, that you’re making progress, that you know what you can do and what needs to be done. It is essential to creating realistic goals. It helps motivate and create a sense of progress that is lost when graduating. 

But even during school, having goals outside of education and some sort of calendar or planner is important in keeping organized and on top of the many responsibilities and goals one has in life. 

The final thing I do is take my weekends to relax and clear my mind. In order to stay energized and productive, it’s important to have days, just like that of work or school, that you stick to using just to relax. And this relaxing can be as simple as sleeping in all day or something like going to a concert. But it’s essential for having a clear mind and strong mental health when going back to school or work during the week.  

What advice would you give to other students?
So, put 110% into education, into the people you meet, into the internship you get. Treat these things as you treat yourself, with respect and care. Opportunities are not linear, don’t go in expecting or dismissing. Someone will eventually notice, take a chance, and bring you one step closer to your career. But this will only happen if you show others that you are not just another student, or another intern. You’re a positive and productive force to work with. Know your value, know what you’re worth, and know that you don’t always know.