Interested to know how to get a job at DreamWorks Animation in the marketing department? Read about Tyler Streuter's story who made the move from Chicago to Hollywood to chase his love for movies. During college, Tyler scored an internship with Universal Pictures as an Field Marketing Intern and Campus Marketing Representative. These internships helped get him to where he is now as Assistant to the Head of Digital Marketing at DreamWorks Animation Studio in Glendale, CA.

Interested in Event Marketing? Read about it here.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Tyler Streuter and I'm currently the Assistant to the Head of Digital Marketing at DreamWorks Animation.

What is your background?

I'm from Chicago and I am definitely a movie guy. I have always had a strong passion for movies and always knew wherever my life took me; movie would need to be part of it.

What college did you attend and what was your major? Do you think this helped you with your pursuit in the entertainment industry?

I majored in Mass Media - Media Management, Promotions and Sales. I know, a mouth full! Yes, I do think it helped in making me a stronger candidate in jobs out of college, than if I would have majored in something that didn't give me as diverse of media studies.

When did you know you wanted to be in the entertainment/animation industry and what events led you to choose it?

I've known ever since I could start watching and processing movies. I've been extremely passionate about movies my whole life and I've always strived to find my place in the industry.

Tyler Streuter - Assistant to the Head of Digital Marketing — Tyler Streuter - Assistant to the Head of Digital Marketing

Has anyone/anything inspired you to follow your passion for entertainment/animation? What/who?

My love for movies drove me to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. I always knew I wanted to be working on movies; I just needed to find my place, which I eventually found later in college.

I understand that you were a Field Marketing intern and Campus Marketing Representative for Universal Pictures. Can you tell me more about that?

It was a great internship and I absolutely would not be in the position I am in now without that internship. I made lifelong connections and friendships through my summer at Universal and owe a lot to the people who have guided me, mentored me and put me where I am today. I can’t say too much about the application process, but I can say it is a tremendous experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to break into the industry.

Being from Illinois, far from Hollywood, how important was it to move to California?

I knew I had to move to Los Angeles if I wanted to pursue working in the film industry. It helped that the summer I interned at Universal, I lived at my sister’s apartment. She had moved out here years earlier and I had a home to stay in. I slept on the couch that summer and commuted from Brentwood to Universal City 5 days a week. I think this was good for me and I was humbled in the process. Living out here for 3 months definitely helped with the transition of eventually moving out here. Family will always be first in my life and having family out here means the world to me.

Were you terrified?

Surprisingly, I was never really terrified to move out here. A lot of LA already felt like home to me…all of the historic culture of Hollywood, being surrounded by spectacular talent, films being made in front of my eyes…I knew I was meant to be here.

Did you already have a job lined up?

I had interviews lined up for the week after graduation from ISU. I graduated on a Saturday and was on a flight to LA the following night. I interviewed around town for a couple of weeks, ended up receiving an offer from Gathr Films, a startup in West Hollywood and moved out here a couple of weeks after that.

What did you do to make the transition smoother?

My other sister Amy drove out to LA with me and stayed out here with my sister Allie and I for about a week. This made the transition smoother and made me feel more comfortable in my new digs.

What was the hardest thing about moving? Finding a place to stay?

I actually found my studio apartment on Craigslist while driving out here. I called to set up a tour from my car and my sister Allie went for me. I got very lucky and was able to secure this place that I still live in two years later.

There are many students from out of state who wants what you do. If someone was in your previous position, what advice would you give him/her?

I would tell them to just go for it and follow what they truly want to pursue. Now is the time to do it. There are many more opportunities in entry rolls and internships than there are higher up the ladder. Try to land an internship at a well-known studio or agency and give 110% everyday and be open to making friends and connections. Those will benefit you more than anything in and out of the workplace.

How important was taking the Field Marketing Internship with Universal Pictures in LA? Do you think this helped you get your foot in the door? Did you put school on hold?

See above answer. But to add, absolutely it helped me get a foot in the door and I made a lot of strong connections through it. I didn’t have to put school on hold, as it was during the summer going into my senior year. It was pretty strange going back to school after living like a ‘grown up’ out in LA for the summer.

What can someone expect an Assistant to the Head of Digital Marketing to do?

It probably varies by company, but a lot of my job entails administrative duties in assisting my boss, handling invoicing, cutting and processing clips, assisting other needs of the digital team and also taking part in regular brainstorms.

Was Digital Marketing always the goal?

The goal for me always was to be involved in the film industry, to whatever capacity and role that may be. I realized I enjoyed marketing while at college and decided to pursue it post-graduation. I have enjoyed it ever since!

What’s the difference between digital marketing and marketing in a major animation studio?

Digital Marketing at DWA is a branch of Marketing as a whole. We just focus on the digital aspects of the film/TV campaigns on our titles, but we all still work together as one big, happy Marketing team.

How is the culture at DreamWorks?

Amazing. They have built and developed such an outstanding work environment and it shows in the work being done. We have great output and the culture of DWA definitely plays a role in why that is.

Any advice to students applying to DreamWorks entry-level positions?

Apply to internships, follow up and be yourself in the interview process. Being true to you is the best advice I can give.

Do you want to stay in Marketing, or would you like to switch to a different field?

I don’t see myself leaving Marketing anytime in the near future. It’s a blast!

Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

I’d like to continue my growth in marketing film and hope to truly make a positive impact on not only the films, but those around me.

What is your dream project?

Not necessarily a project, but having one my scripts come to life on the big screen would be a dream.

What has been your proudest moment?

As far as my proudest moment in my job-world, I’d say it’s a toss up between landing the Universal summer internship and my current role at DreamWorks. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the Universal internship.

Any work you would like to share?