About JP: JP grew up in Boston, MA, where he spent summers on the coast and winters in the mountains. With a stronger love for the beach than the snow, he moved west for college where he attended Stanford University. At Stanford, he was an engineering major and an All-American athlete on the varsity sailing team. Upon graduation, he joined a San Francisco-based biotech startup and worked there for two years before returning to Stanford to pursue a master’s degree in biology. JP then moved back to Boston and spent three years at Boston Scientific as a biomedical engineer designing surgical devices. Eager to grow his skills and pursue a lifelong dream of working in Hollywood, JP came to UCLA Anderson to pivot into the entertainment industry where he plans to use his quantitative skills and MBA education to drive strategy at a leading studio. JP chose Anderson because of its vibrant student body, Entertainment specialization option, and extensive alumni network.

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When I was seven years old, I sat in a crowded theater and watched Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man swing across the screen. For the first time, I saw myself in a superhero—Peter Parker looked just like me. That moment stayed with me, not just because of the action or the story, but because of how it made me feel: empowered and capable of anything. Movies have always been more than entertainment to me—they’ve been a source of identity and inspiration. Years later, as a biomedical engineer working to improve lives through healthcare innovation, I realized that my true passion wasn’t just in solving problems but in telling stories that could inspire others the way Spider-Man inspired me.

That realization brought me to UCLA Anderson. I came here to pivot into the entertainment industry, and Anderson has given me the tools and experiences to make that transition feel achievable. Los Angeles is the perfect place for someone chasing a Hollywood dream. The city’s energy is infectious, and its proximity to major studios and entertainment companies means you’re never far from opportunities to learn and connect. During Anderson’s Entertainment Days on the Job, I visited companies like Amazon MGM Studios, NBCUniversal, and FOX Entertainment, to name a few. Meeting Anderson alumni at these firms, many of whom pivoted into entertainment themselves, was both inspiring and reassuring. It showed me that this path is not only possible but well-trodden by others who share my passion.

At Anderson, I’ve found the right balance between academic rigor and real-world exposure. The entertainment-focused electives are especially valuable for me as someone coming from outside the industry. These courses go beyond theory; they’re taught by professors with deep industry experience and often feature guest speakers who are actively shaping Hollywood today. For someone like me—who spent years analyzing data in healthcare—these classes provide an opportunity to apply my quantitative skills in new ways like evaluating box office trends or exploring strategies for streaming platforms.

What has stood out most about my time at Anderson is how collaborative and supportive the community is. My classmates come from all kinds of industries—tech, real estate, finance—but we’re all here because we want to grow and challenge ourselves. The diversity of perspectives has made discussions in class richer and has helped me think more creatively about how to approach problems. Transitioning into entertainment won’t be easy; it’s a competitive space with its own unique challenges. But having a network of peers who are equally ambitious—and who genuinely want to see each other succeed—has made all the difference. My goal after graduation is to join a leading entertainment company in a role focused on strategy or business development. I want to help create stories and experiences that resonate globally while leveraging data-driven insights to shape strategic decisions. Ultimately, my hope is to create moments that inspire people, just like Spider-Man inspired me all those years ago.

Reflecting on my entertainment journey so far at Anderson, what stands out most isn’t any single event or resource but how everything comes together: the location, the curriculum, the alumni network, and most importantly, the people. It’s been an incredible environment for learning and growth as I chase my Hollywood dream.

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• Student Blogger: JP Cannistraro (’26)
• Undergrad: Stanford University (’17, ’20)
• Pre-MBA: New Product Development at Boston Scientific
• Leadership@Anderson: Director of Marketing, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Finance & Operations, Entertainment Management Association; Healthcare Business Association (member)