Cracking the film industry can be a challenge for young graduates, even those with talent and vision. Seven students within the University of California, San Diego’s (UCSD) Triton TV network will have a leg up after producing a prime-time weekly television series with Time Warner that is expected to debut on Channel 19 and throughout the 10-campus UC system in October. La Jolla producer Pasquale Augustine, who works closely with Time Warner, approached students at Triton TV about a 52-episode, 30-minute series called “The Power Behind Closed Doors” that involve interview local industry leaders with national and global influence about research and technology, business, government and military affairs, and politics and current events. Pasquale, a retired military leader, government advisor and international businessman, said he hopes the show will help expose La Jolla’s influential populace to the community at large. “There are a tremendous number of people within La Jolla and at UCSD with prominent careers in all different areas,” he said. ‘This is a forum to shed light on some of their accomplishments and expertise, and a way to open doors for people to understand how these bigger issues impact the community.” Jessica Elford, a Time Warner producer who started working with the company during her time as a graduate student at the University of San Diego (USD) 10 years ago, is collaborating with Triton TV on the project. “We’re trying to create a bridge from the university that doesn’t really exist yet,” Elford said. “We want to get out important information about research and programs, in addition to helping expose these gifted, passionate students to the outside world.” “It’s a lot of fun working with the students because they have so many new ideas, but not a lot of opportunities to get those ideas out,” Augustine said. “This project gives them the opportunity to be creative, learn something and make media contacts they wouldn’t otherwise have.” The show’s format will feature interviews with industry experts and professionals by Augustine, Elford and Triton TV’s founder and station manager Thomas Dadourian at Porter’s Pub, a UCSD landmark. “We’ll also do some on-location packages that correlate with the interviews to make it as interesting and visually-appealing as possible,” Elford said, citing secret research laboratories and a flight over Montgomery Field Airport as examples. The final third segment of each episode will include student input, Elford said. “The show will really have an informal, conversational feel,” she said. “We’re trying to get some information out to the community that isn’t currently talked about in the 24-hour news cycle.” Dadourian, a fourth-year UCSD pre-med turned theater major, has been a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member since age 10 and has worked as a production assistant (PA) in Hollywood and, most recently, for Lifetime Television. “I’ve worked in the dirt in both fields,” he said. “I’ve been a scribe in the ER and a PA in Hollywood at 4 a.m. by skid row. I like the dirt in the film industry much better.” As director and co-host for “The Power Behind Closed Doors,” Dadourian said he has started to gain contacts and experience that will be valuable in pursuing a career as a writer, director, producer or director of photography. “This industry is all about networking,” he said. “I’m really excited to meet people and learn and perfect my craft, and give it a shot at making a full show.” Elford said the talent and enthusiasm of the Triton TV team has continued to impress her and that she hopes the series will propel them into successful careers. “There’s no need for our brilliant students to have to move to Los Angeles to get a job when we’re helping them acquire the resources they need right here to be certified producers, camera people or editors,” she said. “This project really gives them the skills and connections with leaders of industry right here in La Jolla.” While the premiere date has not been finalized, those interested in viewing the show can visit www.tritontv.com for updates on the production status.