Through a referral of someone I met through the class I just took (which I learned about through another e-mail list I joined ages ago), I learned about a group called Changing Images in America. They promote diversity in front of and behind the camera in Hollywood, and every month they host a "networking breakfast." At the breakfast, they bring in a guest speaker. Afterwards you get to network.

This month's speaker was a senior vice president from Tribune Entertainment, who is responsible for much of their reality series programming. While I didn't get much out of the networking part of today's meeting, I did take copious notes on both the speaker and her comments.

Of what I observed about her: she's worked her way up through the ranks, is honest without being brutal, listens to what people say, understands development (the why's of what makes a program work or not) and in general seems to be "good people" as my dad used to say.

Regarding Tribune as a company, they're perfect for my American Pilot project. They have their own stations -- which means they have a place to air their shows. They have fingers in network projects, syndicated projects and cable projects. They also create one hour drama projects. They're big enough to develop something like American Pilot, and can also reap the benefits of it.

They're taking pitches now for 2004. I will be contacting them soon to see if I can get a pitch meeting.