As part of the Servite Alumni Career Lunch series, alumnus Dan Berendsen ’82 joined students on campus recently to discuss careers in the entertainment industry. Students shared their industry aspirations including professions in directing, writing, acting, composing and sound design.
“There is no one specific way to get into the business,” Berendsen answered in response to a question on how to break into the entertainment industry. “It’s serendipity mixed with perseverance. Start writing down everyone you know that’s in the business. You’ll probably get your first job from one of these people.” He shared stories from his own career path as he offered a few pointers to students.
Berendsen received a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and attended USC’s graduate screenwriting program. He has maintained a long and successful career in Hollywood as a writer, showrunner, and producer. His credits include The Wizards of Waverly Place movie, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, and Hannah Montana: The Movie. Dan was the creator and executive producer of the ABC Family sitcom, Baby Daddy, which ran for six seasons and received the 2017 People’s Choice Award for Favorite cable TV Comedy.
Living only a short distance from Los Angeles, Berendsen told students that they were already ahead of the competition pursuing a career in entertainment but noted that proximity alone was not enough. He explained that it is important to get professional training and even more important to start gaining real-world experience. “Want to be a director or actor? Start making films and getting them up on YouTube,” he suggested to students, encouraging them to get their work out to the public and build a resume.
Berendsen suggested students look for entry-level roles as a PA (production assistant) to gain set experience, “It’s the job you absolutely want. It exposes you to every part of the department.”
He also cautioned students that the entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart. “You can’t be thin-skinned,” he said as he shared his own experience in writers’ rooms and on sets. “People are going to come to you and challenge your ideas constantly, and you need to be able to adjust and respond.” He also spoke of the sometimes solitary life of writing and that each time he finishes a script and writes “The End” on the page, he is out of work and needs to begin again.
When asked about whether, as a showrunner and producer, he hires more for skills or character, Berendsen emphasized character and getting along with others as essential skills for working on his projects. He stated that hours are very long and television shows sometimes run for years, making it important that everyone get along well.
Discussing recent industry news regarding Disney buying-out 21st Century Fox, Berendsen predicted that film and television will be shifting towards streaming services entirely, “I believe in the next 15 years there isn’t going to be traditional broadcast anymore.”
When asked about how Servite prepared him for the future, Dan said, “Two things. It gave me a tremendous work ethic and the belief that I could do whatever I wanted to do.”
Hearing the lunch bell, Dan asked about the famous baked goods of Arlene Norton he remembered from his days as a student, “Do you still have the cinnamon rolls here?”
Dan welcomed follow up questions and encouraged the young men to reach out with any questions they may have in the future. He concluded his day on campus with a tour from his Servite classmate and current Servite President Pete Bowen ‘82 and a visit with Tri-School Theatre students.
If you are a Servite alumnus interested in speaking to students about your career, contact Steffanie Early at [email protected].
