Blackbelt TV is where I am interning in Santa Monica, CA. It is a new network, only two years old, started by the producer of the Mortal Kombat movies and True Lies. It is a 24/7 martial arts network airing content like kung fu movies and MMA fights. It is a very small operation. The editing bay is split in half with one side filled with interns working for a computer animation company owned by the same person. Blackbelt TV’s post production staff includes an editor and an intern, me. There is a graphics person as well but he is split between both groups. So, I basically act as an assistant editor there. I have already helped the editor, Mike immensely with his work load. After the first week, I have to say that anyone wanting to get into post-production would do well to get into a small company. This is a very hands on internship. I’m not running anyone’s errands or getting coffee. There is work to be done and they are glad to have my help to do it.
Mike informed me that this is a much better internship than he had coming out of Newhouse 10 years ago. His internship was one of getting coffee. Then he worked as a tape logger before eventually working up to assistant editor then finally editor. I am, therefore, in a very good position here. Any jobs I apply to will know that I will be able to handle much more than tape logging, and through Mike I can gain some contacts in the industry. I will come out of the internship with real experience. He said his first internships and jobs were from SU alums so I know I made the right move there as well.
My work so far consists of going through content and searching for clips to use in promos. Later I will have to write up notes on upcoming movies so Mike knows when to put in commercial breaks. I have only done a little work that I would call “typical intern work” such as burning DVDs. But, if I weren’t there to do it then Mike would have to which would take away time for other more important tasks. This place seems to make good use of interns in general as there are 8 or 9 animation interns actively working on projects as well.
When I was out in LA in January, an alum told me to start at a small company as they would be willing to train me and give me more responsibility. I took that advice and its already paying off for me. I know that there are no guarantees in this business. I have no illusions that I will be immediately hired as soon as I leave this internship. It would be nice but I won’t hold my breath. But, SU alums like hiring on other SU people and that combined with internship experience will at least get my foot in the door.
I want to edit so all my internship activities are related to that. Make sure you get an internship that actually lets you do some work, even if not right away. Just be glad to have the opportunity and do all your work with no complaint. Work being completed on time and well says more for you than anything else can. Mike is much more willing to throw work my way when he sees that I am getting my work done. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything. I am there to learn, not just do free work for them. They have to give me something in return and, so far, I have been quite satisfied. I was told in advance that the producer very much wants interns to be learning and that is the case. It happened that this was the only intenship that go back to be but if it had turned out to just be a waste of my time then I would be better off not doing it. I am paying for this opportunity so if I am not getting anything in return then what’s the point?
So, reach out to SU alums for internship. They understand what you can do and what you need from them.