Pierce Alumnus returns to share knowledge

Larry Jordan provides insight into the film and television world; worked on projects including CSI: Miami and NYPD Blue

PETER VILLAFANE Reporter @pcavillafane

People who aspire to be filmmakers often look to those who have made it for inspiration.

These industry professionals come from all cultural and educational backgrounds. One in particular came from Pierce.

Larry Jordan, a film and television editor and Pierce alumnus, shared his career experience and gave advice for the Media Arts Speaker Series at The Great Hall Wednesday.

Jordan came down from the stage and onto the same level as the audience. Instead of lecturing, he sat and began an intimate conversation about his career.

“I want to make things that move people,” Jordan said. “I want to make people think and educate them about the world and the things that I thought were important.”

Jordan encouraged students to gather a team of peers and make their own movies and reminded people that anyone with a smartphone can make a movie.

“Hopefully there'll be more good people telling human stories that we can all relate to and hopefully that will help us evolve into better people,” Jordan said.

Jordan has worked on 50 films and television shows during his nearly 40-year career with credits, including Back to the Future, CSI: Miami and Terms of Endearment.

Because of technical difficulties, Jordan was unable to show examples of his work. Instead, he answered audience questions, sharing stories about his family upbringing and journey to Instead, questions, his getting into show business.

“I had a palm reader once told me: ‘Take one thing and stick with it,’” Jordan said. “I just wanted to be a picture editor. I was young and idealistic and I stuck to my focus.” is like getting a new education.”

Jordan said he never attended film school because he did not have the patience for it. He worked odd jobs and learned skills as needed with every project. Jordan’s first job was driving a truck for a camera rental company.

“I had ants in my pants and I just wanted to work in the movie business,” Jordan said. “Every film people the opportunity to have their voice heard whenever they want,” Jordan said. said. “I loved his speech because I see that this opportunity is for me, too. I can get a job, too.” perspective and expertise is a triple whammy of good things,” Nguyen said. Jordan now teaches an online course called Master the Workflow that teaches students about how to be an assistant editor.

Jordan said the transition from analog to digital editing transformed the industry. Jordan said new technology made filmmaking more accessible to people outside of the “old boys’ network” that the film industry used to be.

Atena Naghi, a student in the cinema program, said Jordan’s lecture gave her guidance for her future career path as she works on getting her first editing job.

Film major Johnny Nguyen recommended attending the Speaker Series events because of the many benefits he got from aattending.

[From Coffee on front]

According to Smetzer, the Industrial Technology department received two metal cutting machines estimated at $40,000 each during the summer. A request was submitted to Plant Facilities for the machines to be plugged in by an electrician in August, three weeks before the start of the fall semester. Now entering the 10th week of the semester, the machines continue to be unplugged.

“The power is right there. An electrician just needs to come in and hook them up and they haven’t done it,” Smetzer said.

“It’s embarrassing that students ask, ‘When are you going to hook that up.’ It’s bad PR.”

Smetzer has taught full-time at Pierce for 36 years before retiring a few years ago. He said he has experienced similar situations during his career that were left unresolved until somebody at a higher level intervened. Since finding out about the coffee with

818-710-2960 collinsc@piercecollege.edu

“Digital technology gives more

“For six years, I’ve been studying to be an editor,” Naghi

“The extra credit, free pizza and coming to hear [Jordan’s] the president event online, Smetzer decided to bring the machine issue to President Montevirgen.

After listening to the concern, Montevirgen said he didn’t think he’d “ever have an opportunity to interact or hear” from Smetzer had it not been for the event.

In a separate interview, Smetzer said Plant Facilities, also

“ me: it,’” be idealistic to listen." pvillafane.roundupnews@gmail.com known as Facilities Maintenance and Operations, “prioritize their work schedule and if there’s a fire somewhere, they put the fire out but this is becoming a fire.”

Facilities Maintenance and Operations has not responded with a comment.

Montevirgen plans on hosting future coffee with the president events but they will be arranged when his schedule permits and when he feels specific topics need to be discussed as a campus.

“What’s important is to continue to be consistent, continue to be authentic, and hopefully in time, folks will see and come to realize that I am here to listen,” Montevirgen said. “Not just to listen but also then to move the institution forward in a direction that will allow us to continue to best meet the needs of our students because ultimately at the end of the day, that’s my ultimate goal.” aaguilera.roundupnews@gmail.com