Title:GEMA Externship: Where Are They Now? – Jack Glascott (C‘12), AMC Networks

GEMA launched its annual Externship Program in 2003, a unique experience where Georgetown seniors and graduate students spend one week in Los Angeles or New York during spring break meeting with a number of alumni from a variety of fields in entertainment and media. Over 200 students and more than 500 alumni have participated in the program over its first 18 years and many of the externs have gone on to roles across the media landscape. In our series The GEMA Externship: Where Are They Now?, we reconnect with past Externs to find out how their careers have progressed since graduation.

What was your first “big break” into your industry? Or, what is the most significant experience you have had that has made your success possible?

After my first two jobs in entertainment, I got a job working for the SVP’s of TV Development and Production at Scott Free Television – the TV division of Ridley Scott’s film and tv prod co. I spent six years there working my way up from assistant to Director of Development and was given a lot of room to grow by my bosses. I learned producing from the ground up and had fantastic mentors who I’m still very close with.

What was your first job?

My first job in LA was as an NBC Page. I worked on the last season of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno doing less glamorous tasks such as seating the audience and more fun ones like greeting and handling talent. The more substantive part of the job was the rotational assignments throughout different divisions of NBC Universal. I spent three months respectively in alternative and late night programming (more commonly called unscripted), scripted television at Universal Television, and scripted television at NBC Network.

What do you do in your job now? What is your favorite part of your current position?

I source, develop, and program new series at AMC networks, and manage the current shows in production and airing on my slate. It’s a mix of very creative, idea driven work with artists to make sure shows are appealing and dramatically compelling and brass tacks project management to ensure shows are on budget and on time.

What was the externship experience like for you? Did it have an influence on your career/help kickstart your career?

I had a fantastic externship experience – it made the entertainment industry less opaque and unveiled many of the constituent parts of the film and tv industry besides acting, writing, and directing that make this industry work.

What part(s) of the Externship did you find most valuable?

The externship really helped me understand the constituent parts of the entertainment industry that I interact with every day in my job – the ecosystem of studios, networks, production companies, and agencies and how they all work together (and sometimes at odds with one another).

What was your experience like attending Georgetown? Were there any particularly formative experiences that were special to you?

I was in the first graduating class of film and media studies minors, which was exciting and new and made it seem possible to explore my interest in media professionally.

What’s your advice for an undergraduate trying to break into your industry? Is there anything you would tell your younger self now?

Don’t be afraid to pursue a path that seems frightening or not prestigious or well compensated when you’re 22. You’ll work harder and be more successful at something you’re genuinely passionate about than following the path of least resistance. Entertainment is one of the last apprenticeship industries where you learn by doing and watching other people do the job you want. There’s no shame in being someone’s assistant if you can learn from them.

Name someone in your career who has been a valuable mentor or role model to you and why?

My former boss Clayton Krueger, currently co-president of TV at Scott Free. He took the time to constantly encourage me, give critical but important feedback when needed, and go to bat for me to move up in the company. I learned a ton about how to be an advocate for creators as a producer but also keep the trains running on time from him. I still often ask him for advice and in my current job get to work with my old colleagues who produce shows for the network I currently work at. Hollywood’s a small place!