The Ladder Program

Dear Prospective Students, Parents, Utah Alumni, and Prospective Employers,

Prospective Students
With Hollywood knocking on Utah's door each year in the form of Sundance, feature films, movies of the week, national commercials and television series being filmed in your back yard - it is no wonder that many of you are interested in a career in entertainment. Entertainment is a dynamic, diverse industry where technology, creativity and business work hand in hand. It is a collaborative medium and needs all types of people to help it continue to be a multi-billion dollar business.

Getting into the industry can be difficult. It takes a lot of courage to pack up and move to Los Angeles, perhaps armed with only Aunt Midge's offer of a couch and a former college buddy's phone number. The Ladder Program can help. It is designed to bridge the gap between college and the real world. The Ladder Program will give you the industry education and contacts that you need to begin to chart your course in entertainment. Our insider knowledge and industry contacts will allow you to not only compete, but get one very important step ahead of other grads.

I encourage you to follow your dream and give The Ladder Program the opportunity to help you achieve it!

Parents
We have all heard horror stories of the entertainment industry. Some are true. Others are not. What I can assure you of is there are a lot of wonderful people in the industry excited about your son or daughter coming to Los Angeles. Most of the people in this industry got their start as an intern and so reserve a special place in their heart for the hardworking, unpaid interns that work at their company, looking to get their career jumpstarted.

I screen out the employers who do not treat their interns well and do not hesitate to pull a student out of a bad situation and insert them into a better work environment should something happen. In three years of working with interns and employers - that's 12 class sessions! - I have encountered a wide range of situations and feel confident that I can help your son or daughter successfully navigate the entertainment waters.

I am available to your son or daughter - and to you - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while they are in Los Angeles. While students selected for The Ladder Program exhibit maturity and independence, having Mom and Dad on board is important. At any time, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Utah Alumni
Join us! If you are from Utah and involved in the entertainment business, I would love to have your contact information so I can include you in the growing Utah entertainment community. Also let me know if you are interested in becoming more involved with The Ladder Program.

Prospective Employers
If you are interested in posting your internship opportunity with The Ladder Program, email or call with the pertinent details. I would be happy to hear from you. The Ladder Program's Utah students are top notch, work hard and have a professional, in-depth understanding of the industry. They will be a valuable asset to your company.

Most sincerely,

Heidi Heller Banks