Tech Topics - Spring 2009 - (Page 29) BURDELL & FRIENDS From North Avenue to the Hills By Leslie Overman S ome Tech graduates may have seen a familiar face amid the commercials that aired during the fourth season of MTV’s hit show The Hills. A veteran of the DramaTech stage and Georgia Tech Cable Network, Jessica Luza, STaC 07, joined MTV in October as co-host of The Hills Fashion Wrap-up, a Web-based series in which she and her friend Kate Castonguay comment on the fashion hits and missteps made by the cast of the popular reality show. Luza, who moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting just two days after graduating from Tech, learned about the casting call online. “Kate and I auditioned as a pair and found out about two weeks later that we were chosen out of close to 20 pairs of girls to be the co-hosts,” she said. Episodes of the Fashion Wrap-up, each about two-and-a-half minutes in length, may be viewed at http://style.mtv.com/u5505/the_hills. Luza is no newcomer to the entertainment industry. She began taking acting classes in elementary school and appeared in her first commercial when she was a sixth-grader. “I always joke that I wanted to be an actress when I was a kid because I was an only child for the first seven years of my life and had to find ways to entertain myself,” she said. “We have old footage of me hosting made-up television shows in the backyard from a very early age.” She since has appeared in plays, TV shows, films and made-for-TV movies, acting throughout high school and college. What Goes Around, a film shot in Jackson, Ga., during her senior year at Tech, will be released on DVD in April. Growing up in Smyrna, Ga., Luza graduated from Campbell High School, Julia Roberts’ alma mater, early so she could head to Hollywood when she turned 18. “I flew out for what is known as ‘pilot season,’ which is usually January through early April and is known as a time when all the new shows are being green-lit and going into production. I had incredible opportunities and met with remarkable casting directors. The feedback was always really positive, and my agent wanted me to stay in California for college,” she said. “I wanted to head back to Atlanta and work in that market to beef up my resume and attend the most prestigious school that the state had to offer.” While a college degree does not matter much in the entertainment field, Luza said the coursework for her science, technology and culture degree helped prepare her for script analysis and character preparation, and many of the classes she took in the School of Literature, Communication On The Hills Fashion Wrap-up, Jessica Luza recaps the style hits and misses made by the cast of MTV’s hit show. Luza’s Wardrobe Must-haves for Spring One of the hosts of MTV’s The Hills Fashion Wrap-up, Jessica Luza believes style “can be an art form and a way to express yourself and show your individuality,” she said. “Much like the entertainment industry, I love that the fashion world is always evolving and creative and fun.” TECH TOPICS asked Luza to list her top five essentials for the spring season: 1. “Silver is back in a big way. Gold has been the metal of the moment for the past few seasons, but silver is making a comeback.” 2. “Silver and gold can definitely be worn together, and the old rule of never mixing the two doesn’t really apply anymore. Pieces with gold and silver together are a great way to incorporate this accessory.” 3. “Gladiator sandals are still a must-have for the spring. They instantly add pizzazz to any outfit and look great with skinny jeans, denim shorts and sundresses.” 4. “Skinny jeans are still a staple, and there seems to be a flattering pair out there for just about everyone.” 5. “Printed scarves are a great way to accessorize, and those made from thinner fabrics can be worn all spring. Plaids, floral designs and paisley-printed scarves are fun ways to spice up a solid-color ensemble.” and Culture have helped her explore her creativity. In addition to her current gig with MTV, Luza works part time with a graphics playback company that does computer graphics for television shows like CSI, Dexter and Lost. “I help them with script coverage, which is a great way to learn another aspect of the entertainment industry,” she said. Luza continues to take acting classes and au- ditions for parts of all kinds as often as possible. “I have just always had a fascination for theater and acting and seeing what it is like to delve into a slice of life of another character,” Luza said. “I love the creative process and that no two acting jobs will ever be alike. One week I could be shooting a commercial and endorsing a shoe store, and the next week I could be on set for a soap opera playing a long-lost evil cousin.” TechTopics | Spring 2009 29 http://style.mtv.com/u5505/the_hills
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