It has been said, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know,” and now, thanks to their new Web site, a group of UW-Madison alumni are shedding new light on the subject.

The Hollywood Badgers, a group of UW Communication Arts graduates braving the media frenzy of Los Angeles, has developed a resource that will come in handy for anyone with California dreams.

Their Web site, located at www.hollywoodbadgers.com, offers visitors a wide array of information about the entertainment industry ranging from Hollywood lingo to internship opportunities.

Hollywood Badgers president Mary Rohlich says the original intent of the group was to find students interested in coming to Los Angeles for the summer.

“I wanted to hire someone from the UW as an intern,” says Rohlich. ” I was sick of seeing applications from schools like USC and UCLA.”

With this thought in mind, Mary contacted Communication Arts advisor Mary Rossa, who put her in contact with five other alumni, and over the past few months, the network has grown to nearly 30 members.

An increase in membership meant a wider variety of resources, and the group decided the best way to share their information was via the Internet.

Those new to the industry can familiarize themselves with common terminology under the Hollywood 101 section, which also features housing resources, sample resumes and other links group members acquired through their own experiences or through personal connections.

The group’s vice president, Lesley Feinstein, says the group is constantly thinking of new information to add to the site, but she feels students could benefit from knowledge in other avenues.

“I think there should be a class on this in college,” Feinstein says. ” It would help you understand what agents do, what producers do, a breakdown of the different roles.”

However, Rohlich and Feinstein both agree no amount of schooling can compare to the experience gained through internships and actual work experience.

Feinstein says there is a strange rapport between bosses and employees, but it’s something you grow accustomed to eventually.

“You might see your boss walking down the hall swearing, or people will be screaming but it doesn’t phase you,” she says calmly.

Rohlich agrees. “It’s something that would never happen at the university,” she says. “You’d never see a professor throwing a book, but these experiences are something you can bond over with other employees.”

Despite random occurrences in the workplace from time to time, both Rohlich and Feinstein say they’ve been fortunate enough to have good jobs, but it has come as a result of connections gained through past internships.

If she could offer Hollywood hopefuls once piece of advice, Feinstein stresses the importance of networking and resume building. “Get an internship if you can,” she says.

Feinstein, a Los Angeles native, says although she lives in the area, she didn’t initially know anyone in the business, but her current job came through a connection she made during an internship. She started out her post-college career as a “floater” who worked odd jobs such as stacking soda, but caught a lucky break out of the blue and was promoted.

An Iowa native, Rohlich had to drive across the country the summer of her junior year in order to get her foot in the door. She interned at MGM and after graduation, found work temping as a receptionist before she caught a break.

She offers a grain of truth in the statement “it doesn’t matter what your major is in college.”

According to Rohlich, in the entertainment industry, “It doesn’t matter what degree you have — it doesn’t matter if you have a PhD in Psychology. Everyone starts out in the same place.”

Feinstein says trying to find a job can be a trying task, because the industry generally operates on a “hire today, start tomorrow,” policy. “It’s just like a big game,” she says, “It’s so weird — I don’t think you truly understand until you’re out here.”

Through sharing experiences like these as well as tips from other group members, Rohlich and Feinstein say they hope to give newcomers to the industry a chance to meet friends with common backgrounds and provide a support system.

The Hollywood Badgers hope to start sending out a newsletter soon and are currently planning their first big event in honor of new interns coming to Los Angeles.

Rohlich and Feinstein encourage any students interested in the entertainment industry to use their site as a resource and contact them through hollywoodbadgers.com.