How Do Videos Go Viral? SMC Lauches Media and Communications Series

Viral Videos, Barbershop Books, Film Screenings, & More! SMC presents a Communication & Media Series featuring a line-up of industry professionals who will talk about their work, share their viewpoints, and screen a selection of films and videos. The series starts on October 4.

All events in the series are free and are held on the main SMC campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Unless otherwise noted, the series is sponsored by the SMC Associates (www.smc.edu/associates) – a private organization that funds speakers and special programs on the Santa Monica College campus – and the SMC Communication & Media Studies Department. Seating is on a first-arrival basis.

The Communication & Media series line-up is:

• Tuesday, October 4: Andy Signore: "How Videos Go Viral" at 11:15 a.m. in Humanities & Social Sciences Lecture Hall 165. Andy Signore – Emmy-nominated creator of Honest Trailers and Screen Junkies, and Senior Vice President of Programming at Defy Media – will share how he created a successful viral video franchise, screen several of the most popular trailers, discuss his creative process and strategy, and offer tips on how to succeed in this industry.

• Tuesday, October 11: Alvin Irby: "Promoting Urban Literacy Through Barbershop Books" at 11:15 a.m. in Humanities & Social Sciences Lecture Hall 165. Alvin Irby, founder of Barbershop Books – which creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops throughout the U.S. to encourage urban boys to love reading and succeed in school – will share his philosophy and experiences in creating and finding support for the project, and discuss its transformative impact. Co-sponsored by the SMC Black Collegians Program and SMC GRiT Program.

• Thursday, October 20: Tom Yellin: "Cartel Land Screening and Q&A" at 7 p.m. in Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165. Co-founder of independent production company The Documentary Group and award-winning TV/film producer Tom Yellin – whose works include the film Girl Rising (2013), the PBS series "America in Primetime" (2011), and the PBS special "Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience" (2007)-will screen his 2015 documentary film Cartel Land, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary and BAFTA for Best Documentary. An audience Q&A session is included.

• Thursday, November 3: Allan Kartun: "Directing Event Television" at 11:15 a.m. in Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165. Director Allan Kartun – renowned for his work on productions such as "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," and "Conan on TBS," as well as highly acclaimed specials such as "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor" and "Bob Hope: The First 90 Years" – will talk about his live directing experiences.

• Thursday, November 17: Alisa Ben, Adina Friedman, & Aimee Chen: "Female Voices in the Music Business" at 11:15 a.m. in Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165. Alisa Ben – Vice President of Strategic Insights & Research at Universal Music Group – joins Friends At Work Partner Adina Friedman and SMC Communication & Media Studies instructor Aimee Chen for a discussion on the challenges, gender roles/expectations, outsider experience in the music industry, and more!

• Tuesday, December 6: Andre Gordon: "Making It in the Entertainment Business" at 11:15 a.m. in Humanities & Social Science Lecture Hall 165. Renowned award-winning independent filmmaker/producer Andre Gordon – President and CEO of 4Horsemen Films, and an actor working with UTA, CLEAR Talent Group, and Flick Commercials – talks about navigating and succeeding in the entertainment business. Co-sponsored by the SMC Black Collegians Program.

For information, please call the SMC Office of Public Programs at (310) 434-4100.