Hollywood has plenty of people willing to tell you who to be. Willam Belli reminded our students that the real challenge, and perhaps the greatest reward, is discovering who you already are.

Congratulations to SiLA Alumni Vince Luo, Dave Palazzolo, Madison Donnelly, and Shannon Sykes for their 2026 NATAS Chicago/Midwest Emmy nominations! The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 24, 2026 during the awards ceremony/gala.

Congrats to alum Kirkland Tibbels on HIGH TQ: Why It Matters More Than Expertise, co-authored with John Patterson. A timely reminder that talent matters, but so does knowing how to connect, collaborate and turn conversations into outcomes. lnkd.in/e7z2fDvX

Big congrats to Carlos Lerma, who just landed a full-time editing position with Happy Place, working on Apple Music content. Carlos was also named an Assistants vs. Agents Assistant of the Month. Thrilled to see his persistence paying off! #SiLASuccessStory

Big Congrat's to Alum Tari Segal on this well-deserved Emmy nomination! @tarissegal @appletv #MargosGotMoneyTroubles #ellefanning #nickofferman #michellepfeiffer #cinematographer @ColumbiaCollegeChicago @columcinematv

This week, SiLA begins a new chapter at Sunset Gower Studios. A place where Hollywood history and the future of storytelling meet every day. The goal remains the same: helping students build careers in entertainment while preparing them to tell their stories. #SunsetStudios

Every great production wraps eventually, and today Bungalow E took its final bow as SiLA's home while the next act waits in the wings. Thanks, Sunset Las Palmas! ❤️ 🎬

Every production wraps eventually, and today Bungalow E takes its final bow as SiLA's home while the next act waits in the wings. Thanks, Sunset Las Palmas Studios! ❤️ 🎬

Week 2 at Sunset Las Palmas Studios! Some campuses have quads. Ours has working soundstages, production offices, and a little Hollywood history around every corner. Hollywood’s changed a lot over the years, but places like this remind you why people still dream about it! 🎬

Wonderful welcoming the awe-inspiring cohort of Music Composition for the Screen grad students and their fearless leader Kubi Üner to Sunset Las Palmas Studios. Inspiration is officially in the house. 🎼 🎶

Welcoming our new Summer Semester in LA students this week: Runyon Canyon, new friendships, and the beginning of what will be a memorable summer in Hollywood! 🥾🌴 🍝

Thanks so much to CAA for talking to and taking our students on a tour!

Congratulations to SILA and Columbia College Chicago Alumni Dave Palazzolo on recently be hired at Partizan as The Executive Assistant to the Managing Director & Executive Producer.

Exploring the Warner Bros. Studio Lot 🎬 From Gilmore Girls to Friends, “The Pit,” and Sinners costumes—an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience for our Semester in LA students.

Last spring, Robert Atwood taught our LA Speakers Series. This semester, he returned as a guest, now bringing a new Netflix hockey series to life starring fellow Columbia alum Michelle Monaghan! That’s full circle...and then some. So proud of you both!

Andrew Orenstein🎬 Writer on 3rd Rock from the Sun, co-exec producer of Malcolm in the Middle (Peabody Award), written for Everybody Hates Chris, ran Just Add Magic (Amazon), & co-created Emmy-winning Ghostwriter (Apple TV+). Now teaching how TV goes from pitch to production!

Wanna join us for a few hours of service in DTLA? SiLA is volunteering with Water Drop LA and Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, helping distribute clean drinking water to people in need. March 22 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM Email us at [email protected] waterdropla.org/

Faculty Spotlight: Andrew Gurland 🎥 Writer/director/showrunner Andrew Gurland is currently co-executive producing Apple TV+’s Platonic and has worked on Unstable, Friends From College, Reboot, and Married. At SiLA, he shares real-world insight into building a career in TV.

Congrats to SiLA Alum Jack Lindsey! Following your True North is no easy feat, but Jack is doing just that! Check out more about his journey here: deadline.com/2026/03/true-no… #SiLASuccessStory