Hollywood Media Internship

"These students will learn in one month what it took me over five years to learn. They participate in activities that many professionals in the industry would die for."

---Paul Edwards, Hollywood screenwriter and program director

The Hollywood Internship is a one-month intensive study and work program in the field of interest for each selected Communication Studies student. The internship provides students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and to integrate theory and practice in ways that are meaningful to their career goals. Students will work in state-of-the-art technical facilities and both observe and participate in decision-making within the studios and networks. The program is intended to be a complete immersion in the Hollywood Media Industries as students develop practical skills through the internships during the day and learn from renowned producers, directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and agents through a course in the evenings.

In addition to the knowledge gained from the internships and the course, students also learn from their fellow interns. Because students live with one another during the month-long internships, they are able to learn from one another and make contacts that might not be possible from a single internship. In the past, such contacts through the internship program have allowed students' internships to carry over into full-time positions after graduation.

The duties for interns vary according to their specific internship, but generally include the areas of television and film production, screenwriting, publicity, and management. This year’s Hollywood Interns will be engaged in some of the following activities during their internships: screenwriting, video and audio production, editing and post-production, publicity for feature films, purchasing of equipment, fundraising/financing for television and film project development and analysis of consumer markets and trends. Students are given the opportunity to observe and participate in industry activities. Examples include, participating in writer meetings for television shows or pitch sessions for the network, editing both video and CD-ROM, analyzing scripts for producers, and reviewing casting possibilities for films and TV shows.

Internships happen between June 10 - August 10, depending upon assignment. The course, COMM 659: Special Topics in Media Studies- Hollywood Media, will take place during the second summer session. The coordinator recommends that you come in early or mid June to begin your internship. Schedules will vary with each internship, but generally they require 30-40 hours per week.

The internships are non-paying. However, if available, partial need-based scholarships are provided to the participants. Applicants MUST BE Communication Studies students, as this particular internship program is designed for students within the department.

APPLICATION MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS-

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE HOLLYWOOD INTERNSHIP FOR SUMMER 2010 WILL BE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6TH AT 4 PM.  THE INTEREST MEETING FOR THE INTERNSHIP WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 29TH FROM 6:00-8:00PM IN SWAIN 01A. 

Please type your responses and turn in the Application Form and all other application materials to the Student Services Assistant in Bingham 115 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the due date.

Applications should include an official academic transcript from the registrar's office and two (2) hard copies of:

• a completed Application Form including discussion of relevant skills and experiences, internship preferences and long-term goals
• a Resume (Note that this should NOT be a general resume for other job applications. Please thoroughly review the Sample Resumes that outline how internship resumes should be formatted. It will be submitted to prospective companies and internship coordinators in Hollywood.)  Make sure to list your relevant experience including film and video projects, audiotape, documentary film, screenplays, and any relevant course work.
  
• Personal Statement of Purpose: a 1-2 page essay
• a list of faculty and/or professional References including contact phone numbers (this does not have to include letters of reference - contact information for these people is all that is necessary)
• a Financial Statement (optional). Often there is scholarship/grant money available based on need. If you wish to be considered, submit a brief narrative on a separate page describing your financial situation. The Financial Statement will have no impact on the selection of interns.
• Submit two (2) hard copies of all application materials to the Student Services Assistant in Bingham 117 AND sign up for interviews to be held in November, upon submitting your application materials.

Sample Resume-

Included below are examples of how resumes should be formatted with application submissions for this internship. In order to have the most accepted resume format for your application, please carefully adhere to the models displayed in the samples being sure to:

-have media/production experience listed first, AND also list other types of work experience toward the end.

-exclude grade/GPA information

-exclude courses (be sure to include that information on the application form), BUT be sure to include any related productions/projects completed in your courses on your resume and/or relevant work completed page.

-(FOR GRADUATING SENIORS) If you list your graduation date, make sure it is the Fall/December after the internship

SAMPLE RESUME 1

Internship Timeline-

October 29, 2008

The interest meeting for the internship will be held Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Swain Hall, room 01A. The meeting will provide the opportunity to find out more information about specifics types of internships in Hollywood, the coursework, and Communication Studies faculty, as well as past program participants, will be on hand to address any questions or concerns you may have. Refreshments provided.

November 6, 2009

Application deadline is 4:00 p.m. on the due date.

November 19-20, 2009
Interviews with Paul Edwards

1st Week of January
Student interns are selected (typically 10-15 students).

April
Student interns are placed in appropriate internships, based on intern preferences, educational coursework and work experience.

April - June
Student interns are assigned reading materials to provide background on the Hollywood Media Industries. Interns should be making travel and accommodation preparations with other interns for stay in Los Angeles.

Early-Mid June
Hollywood Internships begin.

July
Course credit for COMM 397: Internship and COMM 659: Special Topics in Media Studies- Hollywood Media Internship are awarded.

Credit Hours at UNC-

• One to three credit hours for Internship (COMM 397: Internship) are offered.
• Three credit hours are awarded for the Hollywood Industries Course (COMM 659: Special Topics in Media Studies).
• Students accepted into the program are required to register for COMM 397 and COMM 659 during the second summer session. Students who expect to graduate in the May prior to the internship must delay graduation until August.

Internship Housing in Hollywood-

The majority of interns stay at Oakwood Apartments at Toluca Lake near Burbank and Hollywood. However, you are welcome to make your own living arrangements.

Students often roomed four or five to a two-bedroom apartment. The apartments are available with two single beds per room. There are two types of accommodations in the Oakwood Apartment complex:

Basic- Furnished with furniture and utilities only.
Deluxe- Ready to move in, furnished, includes pots and pans, dishes, TV, VCR, and all utilities.