Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons

On Jan. 16, Shawn Levy ’89 will speak to Yale students about “Crafting the Hollywood Dream.” 

Directing works like “Stranger Things” and the “Night at the Museum” franchise, Levy has become a prominent face in Hollywood. His visit is the first Schwarzman Session — a program through which Yale students can converse with professionals from various industries over a meal — of the spring season. 

“Bringing people from different disciplines, different areas of expertise, and different perspectives allows for the robust inquiry of topics that illuminate our common interests — an opportunity to find your people,” said Jennifer Harrison Newman DRA ’11, associate artistic director of the Schwarzman Center.

Yale community members, guest artists and scholars collaborate to select visitors and assemble the sessions. According to Jennifer Harrison Newman, Levy was selected due to his prolific career in storytelling and his enthusiasm for sharing his experiences with young aspiring creatives. 

Levy, both Yale alumni and parent, expressed gratitude for his years at the University and excitement about being back in New Haven.

“[Yale] deepened my connection to theater and storytelling,” Levy wrote to the News. “[My time at Yale] fed my desire to build a life of creativity and connection with both storytellers and audience.”

The event is slated to take part in the Peck Room, located at the back of Schwarzman Center.

Many students who signed up for the session are interested in film and hope to gain valuable insight from Levy’s story.

“I’m an aspiring filmmaker; I’d like to learn as much as I can about his success story,” said Jack Denechaud ’28, a prospective film and media studies major. “Plus, I grew up watching Night at the Museum with my little brothers, so, in my opinion, his work is legendary.”

Organizers and Levy hope that the conversation will give students a better view of the reality of life in Hollywood and deconstruct misconceptions about the film industry.

Levy said he aims to empower young filmmakers to pursue their passions despite the industry’s challenges because it “makes for a life that is insanely gratifying, joyous and energizing.”

“Having worked in this field for three decades now, I’m looking forward to giving students an illuminating and honest portrait of this incredible field, and the ways one can achieve the dream of a creative life within this industry,” Levy wrote.

To attend a session, students must sign up and are automatically put on a waitlist. As of Wednesday night, there are no open seats left for the event; interested students can sign up for the waitlist.

Levy will return to Yale in February for a conversation with Ryan Reynolds, who starred in “Deadpool and Wolverine” at Woolsey Hall.