Learning in La-La Land

Get to know MUD’s Los Angeles campus Learning in La-La Land

Los Angeles has long been the heart of the entertainment industry and the birthplace of modern film. The start of Universal Studios in 1912, Paramount Studios in 1914, and Warner Brothers Entertainment in 1923 helped to shape L.A. and continues to influence film and entertainment today. It’s no wonder that twenty years ago MUD began in the very same city.

Our students come to study for a variety of reasons, from cosmetic sales to weddings and entertainment, but film and television are in the backdrop of all we do.

WHERE YOU’LL LEARN

MUD lives and thrives in the L.A. suburb of Burbank, a place many entertainment businesses also call home—from large studios, such as Warner Brothers and Disney, to many small production companies. Although L.A. has more than 13 million people, Burbank somehow feels like a small town. The Downtown District on San Fernando Boulevard has movie theaters, boutique shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

MUD’s fl agship location was a car dealership almost a century ago, but today it’s a modern retail and learning space. The campus has nine remodeled classrooms, a full retail store, professional photo studio, sink room, and a learning resource center. The best view is from the street—where curious folks can peek in through the windows to see teachers doing workshops or MUD Shop employees giving free makeovers.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Although L.A. is best navigated by car, many new students arrive without a vehicle. Don’t fret! You can easily stay close to school and walk to class or use public transportation. L.A.’s Metro system is growing immensely with new trains, routes, and more busses popping up every day. If you intend to call L.A. your forever home, transportation will depend on where you live and work. If you work for a cosmetics company at a single location, a car may not be necessary. If you intend to freelance or work in fi lm and television, a car, like a make-up case, is essential.

WHERE YOU’LL LIVE

Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods refl ect the many countries and cultures of their residents. In these vibrant areas, students and graduates of MUD fi nd a place to call home.

For convenience, some students live near school in Burbank or surrounding areas such as Glendale. For others, the lights, history, and eccentricity of Hollywood beckon. Those seeking a calmer experience choose the San Fernando Valley. The neighborhoods of Studio City and Sherman Oaks are centrally located with easy access to the Westside, Downtown, and Hollywood. The Valley offers an urban life complete with countless cafés, movie theaters, and shops, and a close enough proximity to the city to keep things exciting. And don’t forget the beaches! The cities of Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Huntington Beach are what Southern California is all about.

FUNDING YOUR DREAMS

Financial preparation cannot be stressed enough. L.A. is a large and expensive city. You will need enough money to pay for school, housing, transportation, and living expenses. The less debt you have and the more you save prior to coming will ease your transition. Be realistic and be prepared.

FINDING WORK

Most full-time MUD students opt to not have a job, using their spare time to practice make-up. For those that do work, evening and weekend gigs are normally all the school schedule will allow for.

After graduation, students can choose to work in a more traditional environment such as retail, freelance for fi lm & TV, special events and weddings. Or you can do all of the above. All areas of employment are competitive, however, what really makes the difference is hard work. You should be working every day. Work might mean, being on set or behind a counter. Work might mean working on your resume and online presence, searching for jobs, or working with career services. If you are starting out in fi lm and TV, take every job, no matter how low the pay, until your experience allows you get better jobs with bigger productions.