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Donell Newkirk
Thanks to funding from the Annual Fund, Donell was selected to be one of 22 UB students provided with financial support enabling him to attend the UBC2C Symposium in Los Angeles.
When Poughkeepsie NY native, Donell Newkirk first arrived at UB, he was considering a major in Art. “I had always wanted to be a cartoonist,” he explains. Soon however, he became intrigued by the Department of Media Study’s international reputation and course offerings and eagerly switched majors.
Now, a dedicated student in his senior year at UB, Donell is immersed in advanced video editing and production classes. With solid internship experience with WKBW-TV (ABC affiliate) and UB Football Video under his belt, he is well aware that it’s not always just what you know, but who you know that can provide the key to finding a job after graduation – especially in today’s tough market. So when he got an email advertising the inaugural UB Coast to Coast HOLLYWOOD Entertainment and Media Symposium – a chance to “learn, network and explore” with UB alumni – all industry insiders - he jumped at the opportunity.
Thanks to funding from the College of Arts and Sciences annual fund, Donell was selected to be one of 22 UB students provided with financial support enabling him to attend. While in Los Angeles, he took full advantage of the workshops and mentoring sessions, eager to learn first-hand from alumni who were once in his shoes. He talks enthusiastically about the “Directing Film” workshop he attended at the symposium – taught by UB alumnus Rob Lieberman, BA ’71, an award-winning commercial and film director who has directed episodes of the TV series Dexter. “He taught us some of his techniques – it was great,” Donell says. “I had never been to Hollywood before,” Donell says. “So, it was great to see that, and to network with people in the industry.”
Now poised to graduate, Donell is setting his sights on a career in video production which will lead him to the entertainment and media industry hubs of Manhattan or Los Angeles. Whatever he does, Donell is prepared with a solid foundation from his Media Study coursework and insider advice and connections to help him break into the industry and make his mark.
[Header photo by: DOUG LEVERE. Event photos by RENEE CASCIA]
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