SJRCC PRESS RELEASE June 2008 FloArts alumnus, film actor Daniel Franzese pays visit Florida School of the Arts students got to hear first hand about the ups and downs of Hollywood from film and television star Daniel Franzese during a recent visit to St. Johns River Community College. The FloArts alumnus, who has appeared on the TV series "CSI" and in films such as "Bully" and "Mean Girls," presented performing arts students with a series of workshops on how to succeed in the entertainment business. Franzese, who attended FloArts from 1996 to 1998, said although students will learn their craft in college, there are some lessons that can only be learned by living them. "I feel like I've learned enough about the business to share with the students," Franzese said. "I have ten years of experience in the field and can share the highs and the lows." "I've done some great things, but I'm still struggling. It's the life of an actor," Franzese said. "But we're actors. We like a little drama along the way." FloArts Dean Gary Piazza, Ph.D., said the College is proud of Franzese's success and of his willingness to share his experiences with his future fellow alumni. "It's been a real thrill to have Danny come home to Florida School of the Arts. He came back not only as an alumnus, but as a highly experienced movie actor," Piazza said. "He was able to impart to our students some of the finer points on making it in the movie business, both from a business and professional standpoint." Second-year musical theater student Daniel Prill said Franzese's workshops were informative and insightful. "You don't always get an insider's point of view," Prill said, adding that the combination of Franzese's career and his workshops is proof that show business is as much "show" as it is "business." Prill said the coolest advice Franzese gave was to "under promise and over deliver." "I left feeling totally inspired and with more confidence in my career." During the workshops, Franzese encouraged students to decide what they want in their careers and to be as specific about their goals as possible, to stay informed about the industry, to remember that connections can be made anywhere and to respect people along the way. Franzese's latest films to be released are "The Missing Person," "Food Fight," and "Kill Theory." Florida School of the Arts is Florida's first state-supported professional arts school that serves the entire state of Florida and awards the two-year associate degree. FloArts is located on the SJRCC Palatka Campus. For more information, call 386-312-4300 or visit the Web site at www.floarts.org. PHOTO CAPTION: PHOTO: Florida School of the Arts alumnus Daniel Franzese recently returned to share his experience and wisdom with current FloArts students. Franzese, who has appeared in the movies "Bully" and "Mean Girls," as well as on the TV series "CSI," attended FloArts from 1996-1998. Return to SJRCC home page.