Students studying Film and Media Studies had the opportunity to attend “Hollywood Rollercoaster 101,” a series of workshops given by JHU alumna Ilene Rosenzweig on strategies to survive the exhilarating highs and heartbreaking lows of a career in the entertainment industry. Topics covered included pitching, staffing, and adaptation – and how to enjoy the ride.

Ms. Rosenzweig got her Writing Seminars degree from The Johns Hopkins University and began her career as a journalist in Manhattan, as a writer and editor at The Forward newspaper, Allure magazine and Deputy Editor of Sunday Styles at The New York Times. She jumped from journalist to entrepreneur with the bestselling Swell Girl’s Guides – co-written with her friend and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley – that spawned a line of clothing, accessories and décor for Target.  When the Swell books were optioned by ABC, Ilene moved to Los Angeles and began her television career. She has sold shows to NBC, CBS, HBO, TBS, MTV, Lifetime and Discovery.  She staffed on the NBC series Lipstick Jungle, was Co-Executive Producer on Bravo’s Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, ABC’s Station 19, and Netflix’s Firefly Lane.