{"id":58316,"date":"2014-04-04T14:10:03","date_gmt":"2014-04-04T18:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=58316"},"modified":"2024-02-09T11:53:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T16:53:59","slug":"lights-camera-cannes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/lights-camera-cannes\/","title":{"rendered":"Lights, Camera, Cannes!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Say the words, \u201cCannes Film Festival\u201d and it conjures up images of celebrities walking the red carpet, beautiful views of the French Riviera and luxurious accommodations that only the rich and famous can afford. In reality, that definitely happens, but there\u2019s much more to this prestigious event, particularly when you peek behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
A group of 16 Rosen College students are participating in the Cannes Hospitality & Event Management Program<\/a> through The American Pavilion<\/a>, a 5,000-square-foot facility for the American film community at the Cannes International Film Festival. Over 900 students from all over the world apply to The American Pavilion\u2019s highly competitive student programs, but only about 30 percent are accepted. This is the first time that Rosen College students will participate in this program and as a result, UCF will be the most represented institution in Cannes with the largest group of students.<\/p>\n Students will travel to France in May, arriving on May 11 for a two-week program during the festival, which runs from May 14 -25. Prior to the start of the Festival, students will participate in a two-day orientation and tour of Cannes, as well as workshops and seminars designed to help them gain a greater understanding of producing a global event. Once the festival begins, students will have the opportunity to learn and practice their skills at one of the most glamorous events in the world, assisting in the planning and execution of VIP meals, parties and private events.<\/p>\n \u201cThe students in this program witness a microcosm of a much bigger dance of events going on right outside the door with people doing business there from around the world,\u201d said Michael Bremer, director of student programs for The American Pavilion. \u201cWhen you put on an event, you think of venue, food and entertainment, but then a celebrity might make a spontaneous request that requires you to think on your feet.\u00a0 Students will come back with a more expanded view on how so many events can coexist on the same day and in the same place.\u201d<\/p>\n For Gabriel Huntting, a graduate student pursuing a master\u2019s degree in hospitality and tourism management, it\u2019s a chance to gain international experience without sacrificing his studies.<\/p>\n \u201cStudying abroad is pretty inconvenient for grad students, so I saw the internship with The American Pavilion as an ideal alternative,\u201d Huntting said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be an effective way for me to travel, network abroad and intern without missing any class time or delaying pursuing my degree.\u201d<\/p>\n For others like Ralph Mahalak, a junior majoring in hospitality management, it\u2019s the ultimate learning experience.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope to learn some new skills in dealing with such a large-scale event, as well as gain some valuable real life experience working with VIPs at one of the most luxurious events in the world,\u201d said Mahalak.<\/p>\n