Internship Program Categories

Seniors who are graduating between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012 ARE eligible to apply in certain categories ONLY (See category list). Please note: If you are a graduating undergraduate senior returning to graduate school in the Fall, you MUST provide a letter of acceptance upon notification of finalist status.

1. AGENCY Site: Agency for representation of actors, directors, producers, or writers. Activities: Phones, general office, script reading, meetings. Minimum requirements: Liberal arts/business background, writing ability, verbal and social skills. Strong desire to enter agency or entertainment management.

2. ANIMATION Site: Digital production studio or production company. Activities: Observe and participate with professionals dedicated to the art and artistry of visual effects and character animation. Overview of animation process, hand-drawn (cel) or computer generated. You must indicate your preference of animation style. Desirable background: Art, theater arts, film, writing, photography. For computer generated animation, computer and 3D skills, computer character setup and animation, effects animation and lighting a plus. All applicants must submit a DVD of animation project -- preferably of work submitted. You must show animation of characters, props, etc. Not just special effects! Storyboard is mandatory for hand-drawn animation. NO SLIDES.

3. ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN Site: Art department of major studio or production company. Activities: Exposure to set design, construction, dressing, painting, graphics and practical locations adapted for TV production. Minimum requirements: Theatre set design, and/or architectural background, including drafting. All applicants must submit portfolio of executed work including set photographs, drafting, designs, renderings, sketches or photographs of models. NO SLIDES or ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS.

4. BROADCAST NEWS Site: Local Los Angeles TV News Station. Activities: Overview of broadcast journalism including observation and participation in day-to-day operations of a major market television news department. Areas include assignment desk, production control room, web operations, field assignments with news crews. Intern will interact and work alongside on-air and segment producers, online producers, editors, newswriters, anchors, and occasionally travel with reporters for stories and live remotes. Duties include attending production meetings, researching news topics, aiding in the planning of news series, viewing and logging tape and transcribing interviews.

5. CASTING Site: Studio casting department or office of casting director. Activities: Exposure to the casting process including arranging readings, heavy phones, clerical. Desirable background: Organizational and people skills. Knowledge of television movies, theatre. Liberal arts, communication background, computer literate, good memory.

6. CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING/DEVELOPMENT Site: Network, cable. Activities: Overview of development and production of animated and live action children's programs with a focus on preschool age. Review of scripts and process of selling ideas to the networks and cable. Desirable background: Literature, Arts, Communications.

7. CINEMATOGRAPHY Site: TV/Film studio. Activities: Exposure to primetime television production and equipment handling. Observation and assistance of the Director of Photography during pre-production, location/studio shooting and post production color correction. Minimum requirements: Strong motion picture/video/photography background. All applicants required to submit work sample on DVD (10 minutes maximum). Original work can be film, digital or tape.

8. COMMERCIALS Sites: Commercial Advertising Agency, Production Company and Editorial Facility. Activities: Participate in commercial conception, organization, production and post production of commercials. Minimum requirements: TV/Film production major/minor.

9. COSTUME DESIGN Site: Wardrobe departments at studios and independent companies. Activities: Pre-production meetings; prepping show through to taping/filming; assisting designer or costumer in wardrobe purchase, rental, and made-to-order. Minimum requirements: Theatre costume design and/or fashion design background. All applicants must submit a sample of their work (photographs of portfolio contents preferred, no more than 10). NO SLIDES or ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS.

10. DEVELOPMENT FOR TELEVISION (EPISODIC OR ALTERNATIVE/REALITY) Site (Episodic): Studio or production company. Activities: Observe and participate (where applicable) in the evaluation of program ideas and literary material, selection of writers and oversight of script development. Desirable background: Creative writing, literature, theatre arts. Liberal Arts/Communications. Site (Alternative/Reality): Production Company Development Office. Activities: Observe and participate in the creation, development, research, and pitching of Reality and Alternative format television projects for cable television networks. This is not a production position. Desirable background: Must love Reality TV. Attention to detail. NOTE: YOU MUST INDICATE WHICH GENRE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR - EPISODIC OR ALTERNATIVE/REALITY. YOU MAY NOT APPLY TO BOTH.


11. DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT Site: Network, studio, production company. Activities: Emphasis on new media, social and digital content. This will either be in the creation of web, mobile and digital content, or marketing television and entertainment content on a digital and social level. Minimum requirements: Courses in TV/Film/Interactive media production, creative writing/storytelling and/or entertainment marketing/communications. Familiarity with interactive technologies and/or social platforms a plus.

12. DOCUMENTARY/NONFICTION PRODUCTION Site: Production company or cable network. Activities: Exposure to production of documentaries and/or reality specials, segments or series. Can include research, studio/location production, and post production. Minimum requirements: Background in documentary production, research, writing, computer skills. Placement outside of Los Angeles possible.

13. EDITING (EPISODIC OR REALITY) Site: Studio or production company. Activities: Observe post production of episodic, reality, TV movie or mini-series. Exposure to film/tape non-linear systems. Minimum requirements: Film and tape editing courses. NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST SELECT EITHER EPISODIC OR REALITY. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE BOTH. All applicants required to submit sample of film editing (no more than 10 minutes) on DVD.

14. ENTERTAINMENT NEWS (BROADCAST OR ONLINE/PRINT NEWS) Site: Production facility, television news organization. Activities: Observation of and some participation in day-to-day entertainment industry newsgathering, writing and/or broadcasting activities. Will work in a variety of areas and interact with the Assignment Desk, Producers, Writers, Reporters and Editors. For Broadcast, the intern will observe the taping of the newscast from both Control Room and Studio. For Online/Print News outlets, the student will report to the editor and have the opportunity to have work published on the website. Minimum requirements: TV production and journalism courses, basic computer skills. NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST SELECT EITHER BROADCAST OR ONLINE/PRINT. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE BOTH. Applicants for ONLINE/PRINT MUST submit writing samples along with application.

15. EPISODIC SERIES Site: Network,studio or production company. Activities: Observe production process of current series: script development, pre-production, filming/taping, and post production. This is NOT a writing internship. Minimum requirements: Some production and writing skills.

16. LEGAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS Site: Studio, network, law firm or independent production company legal/business department. Activities: Observation inside the legal and business aspects of the television industry. May include exposure to and participation in the negotiation for the acquisition of source material, engagement of talent agreements (on-screen, writer/producer and directors) and license agreements between networks and studios. May also include a look at the budgeting process, intellectual property, distribution, music, labor and litigation issues related to the production of television programming. NOTE: Law school status is preferred.

17. LIGHTING DESIGN Site: Design studio, soundstages and locations. Activities: Work alongside lighting designer, assistant and crews. Work with creative development, design, gaffer prepping and eventually installing and focusing shows (mostly game/reality and variety). Requirements: Must understand theatrical lighting with interest in television lighting design for multi-camera productions. Must have proven skills in CAD. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio containing drafted plots, (paper projects are acceptable), photographs of realized designs and examples of paperwork. Preference is given to juniors entering their senior year.

18. LIVE EVENT PRODUCTION Site: Production offices and event location. Activities: Work with producers during pre-production and night of live event for broadcast. Duties include phones, script organization, clerical, audio/video help and production assistant-type work. Requirements: Good organizational skills and ability to work in team. THIS INTERNSHIP WILL TAKE PLACE LATE JULY THROUGH MID-SEPTEMBER.

19. MARKETING: Site: Television or Cable Network Marketing Department, Studio/Television Production Division Marketing Department, Independent agency specializing in marketing, promotions, brand strategy. Activities: Marketing campaign brainstorming, conception and strategy for television programs, with emphasis on launching new season programs and line-up; executing marketing, advertising, promotional campaigns across traditional print, outdoor, radio, television as well as digital and mobile platforms. Requirements: Strong creative writing and communications skills, fine arts background and course work, ability to collaborate and multi-task in a fast–paced environment. Radio and television production and/or computer graphics and design experience a plus.

20. MOVIES FOR TELEVISION Site: Production Company. Activities: Subject to scheduling, will cover pre-production, production, production assistant duties. Minimum requirements: Production background, commitment to career in television. Placement outside of Los Angeles possible.

21. MUSIC Site: Production companies and studios. Activities: Music production (electronic and orchestral), orchestration, sound design, recording, music editing, studio set-up, software and hardware installation. Minimum requirements: Music background, strong interest in music for TV/Film, orchestral and electronic aptitude and experience, familiarity with music production software. All applicants must submit (5) samples of original compositions that underscore video on DVD. THIS INTERNSHIP TAKES PLACE AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER.

 22. ON-AIR PROMOTION Site: Network. Activities: A hands-on creative opportunity which requires Avid editing, imagination and strong writing abilities. Assist in the creation and execution of movie type trailers and promos for network programs and cable properties. Participate in the creative development and production of original shoot spots. Minimum requirements: Avid editing ability along with strong creative writing, editing, producing, and breakthrough conceptual skills.

23. POST PRODUCTION Site: Post production facility. Activities: Exposure to all aspects of post production. Minimum requirements: Editing course. All applicants required to submit work sample on DVD. Suggested length: 10 minutes.

24. PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT (SCRIPTED OR REALITY) Site: Studio or production company. Activities: Organizing, scheduling, and budgeting of productions, some production assistant and general office duties. For Reality, potential for working directly with small & large production crews, in the field & with post production. Sit in on cost report and staffing meetings. Experience what production means for the management team from pre-production to post wrap. Minimum requirements: TV/Film major, computer skills. NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST SELECT EITHER SCRIPTED OR REALITY. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE BOTH.

25. PROGRAMMING Site: Network or cable company. Activities: Introduction to entertainment program development and current programming, attend pitch, notes and staff meetings, script reading. Minimum requirements: Knowledge of television, Liberal Arts/Communications/Business. Upon notification, finalists are required to submit script synopsis and evaluation.

26. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY Site: Public relations firm and/or entertainment company in-house PR department. Activities: Research and write news releases, assist in contacting all media press, attend meetings and news events. Minimum requirements: Strong writing skills. Major or minor must be in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, Publicity or English.

27. SOUND Site: Audio post production facility. Activities: Exposure to all aspects of production and post production sound. Possible exposure to production sound on-set. Sound editing, supervision, mixing, transfer and studio management techniques, sound effects, music, Foley and dialogue. Minimum requirements: Some music and/or sound effects editing and mixing experience desired. Basic understanding of electronics, sound equipment and computers. Commitment to career in audio production.

28. TELEVISION DIRECTING (MULTI OR SINGLE-CAMERA) Site: TV series or production company. Activities: Overview of directing process with possible exposure to casting, production meetings, location scouting and shooting. Observe productions such as movies for television, soaps, episodic, variety, specials. You MUST indicate your preference of camera format. There is no guarantee you will be interning at your first choice. Minimum requirements: Courses in directing and editing; experience on electronic cameras. Upon notification, finalists are required to submit work sample on DVD.

29. TELEVISION SCRIPTWRITING (COMEDY OR DRAMA) Site: TV series. Activities: Overview of writing process that may include idea inception, story meetings, revision and production. You MUST indicate your preference of genre. There is no guarantee you will be interning at your first choice. Minimum requirements: Strong writing background. Applicants must submit an original scene (approx. four pages) from current comedy or drama series with logline for the scene/episode submitted. Applicants should research most current scriptwriting formats for appropriate style per genre.  Upon notification, finalists must submit a complete original script (series episode, long form, or play).

30. UNSCRIPTED TELEVISION Site: Offices/studios/locations in L.A. area. Activities: Assist in development and production of unscripted programs. Work with production company and/or network programming staff in conception and execution of programs. Minimum requirements: Demonstrated knowledge of unscripted programs and knowledge of production a plus.