UB Coast 2 Coast symposium

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – UB Coast 2 Coast kicks of this Friday in New York City. The University at Buffalo is set to hold its arts, entertainment and media symposium.

As WBFO'S Eileen Buckley reports it will feature some of the entertainment world's top writers, producers and performers who happen to be UB graduates.

"I love doing this sort of weekend we have coming up because when I was a student up in Buffalo there was nothing like this," said Zweibel.

Emmy-Award winning writer, producer and director Alan Zweibel is a 1972 UB grad. He will be leading a workshop on Comedy Writing for all Genres. He's willing to share his insight with up and coming comedy writers because he never had expert advice while in school.

"I remember sitting there wishing that someone like me would come and talk to us and tell us how to do it," noted Zweibe.

If you're not familiar with Zweibel's name, you might be more familiar with his work. He started his career as part of the original writing team for Saturday Night Live and worked with top comedians like Gilda Radner and Billy Crystal.

UB Coast 2 Coast will allow participates to network with 42 very influential mentors. They also include non-alumni such as well-known local actor Saul Elkin. He is a professor emeritus at UB and founder and artistic director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park.

Elkin will lead a workshop on Perfecting Your Audition.

"You have very little time to make an impression and it has to be made quickly. There is no moment that is more difficult for a young actor then the audition process," said Elkin

14 companies will also offer "Day in the Life" visits -an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of their industries. Then on Sunday participants will hear from one of the most influential women in television. 1974 UB graduate Abbe Raven -- president and CEO of A&E Networks -- will be the keynote speaker. Raven is the creator of shows like "Gene Simmons Family Jewels".