Welcome from the Chair
Internships
Cosby Writing Fellowship:
http://www.CosbyProgram.com
Established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby in 1993, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The fifteen-week intensive workshop was designed with a two-fold purpose: To assist writers in the completion of a film or television script and to deepen the participants appreciation for and comprehension of African American history and culture.
Disney Writing Fellowship
http://abctalentdevelopment.com/programs/
Begun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry's best known and most respected writing fellowships. Fellows receive a weekly salary for a one-year period (currently amounting to $50,000/year plus benefits). The program is an intensive, hands-on experience that involves workshops, seminars and mentorships with creative executives from ABC, ABC Television Studio, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Lifetime and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group.
Fox Diversity Program:
http://www.fox.com/diversity/creative/writer_submission.htm
The Fox Entertainment Group again invite submission of original television pilot scripts in the multi-camera comedy, single-camera comedy, animated and drama formats. Writers selected this year will be invited to attend a six week session at Writer's Boot Camp and subsequent consultation with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be rewritten and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional execution that may be submitted to Fox programming executives.
CBS Television Program:
http://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/cbs_network/institute/index.php
This program links aspiring writers with mentors from the ranks of CBS Network and CBS Paramount Studio executives. Also, writers are mentored by producer mentors from series airing on CBS. Additionally, there are weekly sessions with successful writers, producers and show runners examining in very specific and practical terms many aspects of the experience of being a television writer in Hollywood.
The Nickelodeon Writers' Program:
http://www.nickwriting.com/
Developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.
Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Program:
http://www2.warnerbros.com/writersworkshop/
For over 30 years, Warner Bros. TV has committed to fostering new talent and providing opportunity for aspiring television writers. The Writers Workshop is the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV's top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show.
NBC Diversity Initiative for Writers:
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/entry_leadership/diversity_initiative_for_writers/
NBC is proud of the existing diversity of the writers who pen its Primetime Series. In order to further encourage diversity among our writers, NBC provides funding for a minority staff writer position for all scripted NBC Primetime Series. These positions are filled with writers selected and hired by the showrunner/producers of each show, with the guidance of the network and studio(s). Scripts are accepted year-round for screening, however, positions are generally filled during the March - June staffing season.
The Writers Guild of America:
http://www.wga.org/subpage_writersresources.aspx?id=1042
The WGAW's Diversity department works with producers, studio and network executives, and writers to increase employment opportunities and to develop access/talent development programs and also hosts events, panels, and seminars to promote a more positive image of historically underemployed writers, to increase the industry's awareness of the unique obstacles often faced by these writers, and to encourage positive change in hiring practices.
For information on the iNDustry Alliance Summer Plunge, a mentor shadowing program that links Notre Dame alumni in the industry with current undergraduate students, please visit Our Alums page.
More Internship Opportunities in FTT
The following media companies offer many internship opportunities for academic credit each semester. Interested students must first complete an FTT 496 application form and receive approval by the FTT internship coordinator to pursue the internship. Once a student receives approval, the student should contact the appropriate company representative and interview for the internship. If the student is granted the internship, he or she will then work with the FTT internship coordinator to complete academic requirements.
Students accepted into the internship program must work 12-15 hours per week and accumulate 150 hours by the end of the semester. Students will complete a midsemester progress report and write a final paper on their experiences. They also must complete a project, approved by the intern's supervisor and the FTT coordinator, during their internship. Interns will be evaluated by their supervisor, and the internship coordinator will determine the final grade for the course.
FTT 496 is a graded course. It may be taken for 1-3 credits. Students are allowed to earn six internship credits at Notre Dame. Click HERE for the application form for FTT 496.
INTERNSHIPS IN TELEVISION AND RADIO
WNDU-TV, the NBC affiliate in South Bend, offers several internship opportunities for students each semester. Students may intern in the following departments:
News producing —Students will learn the basics of producing a daily newscast. Regular tasks will include research, information gathering, news writing, logging tape, etc. Students may choose a regular, early morning, late night, or weekend shift.
Reporting—Students will spend the semester "job shadowing" a reporter and photographer. Interns will earn how to produce a news package and write news stories. Students may choose a regular, early morning, late night, or weekend shift.
ENG (Electronic News Gathering)—Students who have an interest in photojournalism will "job shadow" a WNDU photojournalist. They will learn to shoot and edit news stories. Students may choose a regular, early morning, late night, or weekend shift.
Sports—Students who intern in the sports department must work afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Students will do research, log tape, review satellite feeds, and help WNDU's sports journalists in a variety of capacities.
Promotion and Marketing—Students interested in creative advertising and marketing may intern in this department, which is responsible for promoting WNDU-TV's programming and other community endeavors. Interns will help write, shoot, edit, and produce promotional spots and public service announcements, in addition to other duties.
Studio Production—Students interested in the technical aspects of television production may intern with the studio production crew at WNDU-TV. Students will work on actual productions and "job shadow" studio personnel who serve as directors, technical directors, camera operators, chyron operators, floor directors, etc. Students will work a variety of shifts.
Students interested in an internship at WNDU-TV should contact Human Resources Director Anita Rains at arains@wndu.com.
WSBT-TV and Radio
WSBT-TV, Channel 22, is a CBS affiliate located in downtown South Bend. The facility also houses an AM talk radio station, WSBT-AM, and an FM radio station, Sunny 101.5. WSBT offers internships in the following areas: TV news, TV sports, TV production, TV promotion, TV sales, weather, engineering, radio announcing, radio promotion, radio news, radio sports, radio sales, administration, and human resources.
Students interested in interning at WSBT should contact Human Resources Director Mary Dunbar at 472-8004 or mdunbar@wsbt.com.
WHME-TV
WHME-TV, Channel 46, is an independent station located just south of South Bend. The station produces several programs, including high school sports, Notre Dame sports, and studio shows. WHME provides several internship opportunities for students interested in television production. Students will need to provide their own transportation.
Students interested in the production internships at WHME should contact Production Manager Dean Korsmo at dkorsmo@lesea.com.
WSJV-TV
WSJV-TV, Fox 28, is located on the west side of Elkhart, just 10 miles east of South Bend. Students must provide their own transportation. Fox 28 is looking for students who are interested in becoming reporters, photographers, and producers.
Students interested in interning at Fox 28 should contact the Fox 28 human resources director.
WNIT-TV
WNIT-TV, Michiana Public Broadcasting, is offering six production internships to qualified students. Students must provide their own transportation and be available to work from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Interns will operate both studio and field cameras, help with talent preparation, work with audio and character generator technology, and perform other production duties.
Students interested in the production internships at WNIT should contact Brenda Boyer at Brenda_Boyer@WNIT.pbs.org or at (574) 675-9648.
WVPE Public Radio
WVPE Public Radio, located in Elkhart, Ind., has two internships available for students. One position is in development; the other is in news. The intern in the development department will work with WVPE staff in preparing materials to attract corporate and institutional support and in developing promotional and public relations activities. The news intern will provide assistance in reporting, writing, editing, engineering, and producing newscasts for WVPE.
Students interested in WVPE should contact Joe Kasko at jkasko@wvpe.org.
INTERNSHIPS IN VIDEO AND FILM PRODUCTION
APT Productions
APT Productions is a local, vertically integrated video and studio production company that is seeking one to two interns. Interns' responsibilities will generally include shooting field and studio video, digitizing video, light editing, cataloging footage, script writing and revision, and disc jockey work. Students will also be able to work on the Notre Dame Video Yearbook, an exclusive APT production. Interns must have a car.
Students interested in APT Productions should contact Aaron Perri at aperri@aptproductions.com or at (574) 288-2999.
Big Idea Company
The Big Idea Company is a local media and advertising firm that works with a variety of clients. Interns could expect to gain experience in a number of areas, including script writing for nonprofit orgnizations, production, advertising, or design. Schedules can be flexible. Students need to provide their own transportation.
Students interested in the Big Idea Company should contact Katie Bartosik at (574) 243-1796 or via email at Katie@bigideacompany.com.
NewGroup Media
NewGroup Media, located in downtown South Bend, produces a variety of video projects—local and national commercials, informational and sales videos, and documentaries. Interns here will act as production assistants for video shoots and assist in preparation of materials for editing. Interns will need to provide their own transportation.
Students interested in NewGroup Media should contact Chris Salvador at (574) 237-1025 or chris@newgroupmedia.com.
Pentavision
Pentavision is a local video production company that produces a variety of video projects for corporate, industrial, and institutional clients. Interns will assist in a variety of video production activities —from script writing and research, to assisting on video shoots. Interns will need to provide their own transportation.
Students interested in Pentavision should contact Ryan Geist at (574) 272-8365 or ryan@pentavision.net.
For more internship information, contact:
Karen Heisler
Visiting Assistant Professional Specialist and Internship Coordinator
Film, Television, and Theatre
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-7486
heisler.4@nd.edu