Whitney Fox

Within the television department there are many impressive stories that are told about students; past and present.  One alumni name that is synonymous with success and often heard throughout the halls is none other than Whitney Fox.  In a recent interview with Ms. Fox, we asked her a series of questions about her time at Columbia College, her experience with Semester in LA and the most important question of where her talent has landed her today.

Television Writing and Producing

What made you chose Columbia College?

I literally Googled "best film school" and "Chicago" and Columbia popped up. By sheer coincidence, they happen to be giving a presentation in Kansas City that weekend!  So my mom and I drove up there, saw that famous video of Manifest and I said, "that's the one."  It felt like fate.

Describe your experience with Semester in LA (SiLA)

SiLA is the perfect transition into life in LA.  Not only do they give you all the tools you need to succeed, but also they teach you in the most inspiring way possible.  Jack Gilbert and Bill Bickley led our comedy class this past spring.  Both are incredibly accomplished gentlemen, (Jack having years of experience as a Warner Brothers Workshop consultant, and Bill who was the man behind shows like "Happy Days," "Perfect Strangers," "Step by Step," and "Family Matters").  Yet what I found remarkable was how interested they were in the 12 of us chummy Chicago kids with big dreams and small apartments.  Bill and Jack didn't just teach us about writing and working in LA, they taught us to stick together and pull each other up by the bootstraps.  Bill even had us over to his amazingly beautiful home for BBQ's and good conversation on a regular basis.  It gives me chills to think in the past he has extended the same friendliness to Ron Howard and Greg Garcia when they were getting their start.  Bill and Jack gave us a family in LA that none of us expected.  Now, those same kids that knew nothing about each other in the beginning of April, hang out almost every weekend - not just to talk about writing, but because we feel like a family.  The greatest gift SiLA gives to students is a reason to want (key word) to stay in LA.   

What internship(s) have you had?

I interned for Laura Ziskin Productions on the Sony Lot for about a month and I also interned for the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship at the Animation Studio.

Columbia does a great job of getting students into the habit of "just doing it."  By the time I had moved to LA, I had already written 5 spec (sic) scripts.  Although I'd never show those scripts the light of day now,(she says as she laughs under her breath) it did teach me to know Final Draft like the back of my hand which is what I use now in my job at Nickelodeon.   CCC also provides a network of people working in the field that you want to work in which is incredibly useful.  I meet alumni all the time out here!

How does it feel to have your "dream job" that you do now?

It was scary at first, but very inspiring.  Every day I get to wake up to the challenge.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember.  I didn't realize, until I went to Columbia that being a writer is still an artist of sorts.  I think my five-year-old self would be proud. (We would like to agree)

What is life like for you now in the fast lane and now that you’re in the “real world?”

I love being able to focus on one thing - my job.  In college you are focused on so many different classes AND jobs AND projects AND clubs... it can get so exhausting.  I really like my life in LA.  Unfortunately, the type of work I'm in is not as secure as other fields, but I think that's the exciting part.   You could be in a writing or assisting gig for a couple months and then it ends.  But that's not necessarily a bad thing.  It's fun to bounce around.  I try to keep faith that jobs will pop up, you just have to keep your eyes open and talk to people. Networking is incredibly important.

What were your favorite classes here at Columbia?

That's so hard!  I will say that I started out in film, quickly switched to TV (where my passion was) and from there, I loved "Writing for the TV Genre," "Writing for a Web series, "The History of Television," and "Live 1950's Drama"-- to name a few. Those really stuck out to me.  The teachers in the TV department were what made TV classes my favorite type of class at CCC.  They're just good, good people.  The salt of the Earth. (All of the professors are blushing now)

What is some advice you can offer to current and future students at Columbia College?

There's a place for everyone at Columbia, it might just take some time to find it.  So don't give up, and keep looking.  Also, I wish someone had told me to slow down and enjoy my classes more. Once you're in the real world, it's done and you can't take advantage of all the great tools you once had at your fingertips like the amazing professors, equipment, the library, and so much more that Columbia offers.  Just enjoy every moment of it. 

And there you have it, an exclusive interview with Whitney Fox, you heard it here first. Whitney is currently a Script Coordinator at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Everyone at Columbia College Chicago could not be more proud of Whitney and all of her accomplishments.  Not only will she always be known around the halls of Columbia, but she will be known by all very soon.  She is going places and not stopping until she makes it to the top. Congratulations Whitney, we're happy to say we knew you when...