Internship Options

What Internships Are Available?

The following local, national and international organizations have hosted Pitt Film Studies students in the recent past. Please read the descriptions carefully and decide which location might be right for you. Several, including TV stations in the Pittsburgh area, prefer to receive applications via their websites; many of the listed opportunities are best applied for after the student has completed some basic production courses.

Greater Pittsburgh Area Businesses and Organizations

Blue Productions
Contact: Darcie Buterbaugh
260 Alpha Drive, Pittburgh, PA 15238
Phone: 412-963-6763
Fax: 412-963-6826
darciebuterbaugh@gmail.com
Student interns can expect to assist the costume department. Duties may include re-stocking, checking-in background, filing, checking in and out purchases/returns and logging assets.

CMU International Film Fest
Contact: Jolanta Lion, Asst. Director of Humanities Center
5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213
Phone: 412-268-2212
jolie@cmu.edu
Student interns can expect to work on all aspects of the festival including selecting films, generating and distributing marketing materials, designing and scheduling events, and extended public relations.

Carnegie Human Resource Center (for the Art, Natural History, Andy Warhol Museums)
Contact: Ellen Torrance or Mary Ellen Lafferty
Pittsburgh, PA 15213  (Oakland)
Phone: 412-237-3400 (Volunteer’s Office)
Student interns should apply online. Student interns can expect to do a variety of jobs, although many of the opportunities are for graduate=level students.

Carnegie Science Center
Contact: Torey Verts
Phone: 412-237-1621
Apply online
Student interns can expect to do a variety of jobs, although many of the opportunities are for high school level students.

City of Asylum Audio/Visual Internship
Contact: City of Asylum Administration Attn: Programming Department/Tech 
Alphabet City 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA.15212
Email contacts
Student interns can expect to work on videos, create content, photography, archiving, editing, animation, effects, and posting online. This internship is best for students who have completed basic production courses.
 
Dumpstar Media
Website
Contact: Meagan Koleck
dumpstarmedia@gmail.com
Applications are open for writers, editors, casting calls, internships in production, and crew positions.
 

Flipside Media
Contact: Dr. Gregory K. Allen
1050 Saxonburg Blvd., Glenshaw, Pa. 15116
Phone: 412-916-7200
info@flipsidemedia.com
Student interns can expect to gain proficiency in cinematography, editing, and screenwriting. The intern will participate in shooting a feature length film. Interns can also expect to shoot and edit music videos, posting videos on youtube, and participating in production meeting. This internship is best applied for by students who have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

Fourthwall Video Productions
Contact: Nathan Fulllerton, Owner
602 Mellon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412-450-0622
Student Interns can expect to assist on video productions including effects and podcasts. This internship is best for students who have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

Furnace Films - Wardrobe Dept.
Contact: Melissa Shaught
225 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219
Phone: 412-709-6199
Fax: 412-586-5643
mshaught@gmail.com
Student interns can expect to assist wardrobe designers, tailors and coordinators in such tasks as aging and maintaining clothing, managing the wardrobe truck, and interdepartmental communications.

KDKA News
Contact: Jill Neely
11 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-575-2547
View all internships available throughout Paramount.
Student interns can expect to write on a daily basis for interview segments. Interns write the “tags” and “teasers” as well as introductions and questions for the interviews. If the occasion arises, student interns can also field produce segments for the news. Interns are also responsible for updating Facebook and Twitter for KDKA.

Manchester Craftsman’s Guild
Contact: Renee Govanucci in the Jazz department, Marty Ashby in Videography, Josh Green in Arts and Photography
1815 Metropolitan St., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-322-1773
Student interns can expect to work with camera equipment. and various digital programs. They should be proficient in Adobe Premier, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and the Avid Editing system. Also, they should be familiar with camera equipment and operation. Interns should probably have taken the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers before they apply for this internship.

Maniac Magazine
Contact: April Hubal
219 Fort Pitt Blvd. 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
Phone: 412-325-0052
april@maniac magazine.com
Student iterns can expect to meet with business owners and arrange times for location shoots, to email and contact proper clients, and edit and revise photos for upcoming issues of the magazine. Interns can also expect to be asked to cover events for special promotions and to act as a spokes person for the publication. This internship is best suited to a student with a particular interest in photography as a visual art. Also, the intern should probably have completed a photography course at Pittburgh Filmmakers.

The Mattress Factory
Contact: Shannon B. at x212
500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-231-3169
Fax: 412-322-2231
Student interns can expect to work across a range of departments including Installations, Operations, Administration, Marketing, and Social Media.

Nancy Mosser Casting
Contact: Katie Shenot, Casting Director
3583 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-621-1160
katie@mossercasting.com
The premier casting company in Pittsburgh, this company was started in 1996 and has become a major part of the Pittsburgh film community. Student interns can expect to do some basic office work, but the main activity in this internship is very hands on. Interns need to have good professional people skills. Interns will be involved in setting up and helping to run casting calls, wrangling extras on set and off, doing call backs for actors, and managing the files for extras and actors. This is a great opportunity to see the behind the scenes work involved in casting. Interns usually get to spend some time on set.

New Perspective Video Production
Contact: Audra Zecchini
2949 Smallman St.,  Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 412-681-1600
Fax: 412-681-3171
azecchini@new-perspective.com/
Student interns can expect to work as a PA on set, log and transcribe footage, assist producers with pre-production tasks, maintain studio functionality by assisting studio manager.

PCTV (Pittsburgh Community Television)
Contact: Carl Cimini, Special Projects Director
1300 Western Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-303-9145
carlcimini@yahoo.com
PCTV is a community access TV station located on the Northside of the city.  Students can expect to get lots of hands on work in the studio helping to film and air shows.  Since university students are considered residents of Pittsburgh they can use the equipment at the studio once they have demonstrated they know how everything works.  This internship could be great for anyone interested in making their own movies as they would have access to equipment, editing (Final Cut 10) and the studio.

Pitt Panthers Television
Contact: Kelly Zitch
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
kzitch@athletics.pitt.edu
Student Interns can expect to be assigned to a sport and, with the help of an executive producer, learn how to produce live television broadcasts for air on The Comcast Network, ACC Digital Network and/or ESPN3. Successful interns are self-starters who enjoy being creative, working with others and want to learn how to successfully produce live television.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Contact: Virginia Linn,  Asst. Managing Editor - Features
34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittburgh, PA15222
Phone: 412-263-1662
Fax: 412-263-2014
vlinn@post-gazette.com
Student interns can expect to do a fair amount of writing in this internship - from movie and music reviews to lifestyle, health, and real estate features. Interns will also be asked to cover breaking news items for the city desk and they will have the opportunity to create and narrate their own web videos.

SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Fest
Contact: Rachel Jacobson
4104 WWPH, 230 S. Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-268-2212
rej16@pitt.edu
Student interns can expect to work on all aspects of the festival and year-round film programming, including making trailers, filming and editing footage for programming events, social media, marketing, public relations, selecting films, and working with distributors to arrange screenings.
 

Smithfield Street Productions
Contact: Mike Dolan
950 Greentree Road, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Phone: 412-921-2666
smithfieldstreet@gmail.com
Student interns can expect to assist in various aspects of filming and production, including developing marketing proposals for funding projects, creating and uploading content to websites, aiding actual productions on set (depending on the skill set and levels of the interns), aiding post production services including filing and online networks, and party coordination for releases and various other office tasks. Interns should probably have competed basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers before applying for this internship.

*The Talent Group*
Contact: Steven Shakoske
2820 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-471-8011
Fax: 412-471-0875
shak@talentgroup.com
Student interns can expect to work in one of four areas: on-camera broadcast, print, voice-talent media, and promotional trade show work. Interns will assist with scouting talent, scheduling events, setting up auditions, booking talent for TV and radio, updating databases, and writing scripts for auditions.

Video Production PMI (Production Masters Inc.)
Contact: Matthew Fridg
202 5th Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-281-8500
Fax: 412-391-7529
mfridg@pmidigital.com
Student interns can expect to work primarily in the production department, although they can also spend time in post-production, audio, computer graphics, duplication and sales. Interns will be involved in all aspects of production and will be encouraged to produce their own work as time permits and with staff supervision. This internship is best applied for by interns who have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

New Perspective
Contact: Audra Zecchini
2949 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Phone: 12-681-1600
azecchini@new-perspective.com
Student interns can expect to participate in editing, and both studio and locations shoots.

Parish Productions
Contact: Keith Parish
1501 Reedsdale Street, Suite 3004, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-951-3331
parishdigital@gmail.com
Student interns can expect to help on all sorts of commercial shoots. Interns should have taken the required production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers for this internship.

Steeltown Entertainment Project
Contact: Cole Land, Administrative Asst.
4802 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-622-1325
Fax: 412-622-6443
cole@steeltown
Steeltown Entertaiment produces various Pittsburgh film and media events, and helps back film production projects. Student interns can expect to complete media press searches, compile press kits, amd research biographical information for Steeltown guests, panelists, and event participants. They can also be involved with maintaining databases, social media, event planning, marketing/promotions, and business administration.

University of Pittsburgh/Division of Student Affairs
Contact: Joshua Weis
725 William Pitt Union, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-624-5743
Fax: 412-648-1004
jdw84@pitt.edu
Student Interns can expect to work with video teams helping with editing, lighting, and sound. If the intern demonstrates competency, they might be given shoots to do independently. This is probably an internship best applied for after the student has completed the basic required production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

University of Pittsburgh/Latin American Studies Association
Contact: vanessa@lasaweb.org
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) invites students in the last year of Communication and Media Studies and/or Photography and Film Studies to apply to the LASA Communications Intership Program. Interns must have a strong interest in photography and video storytelling for an online audience. Shooting and editing skills are required. Working hours and days of the week, as well as the specific projects will be negotiated with each intern and learning institution, in order to fit their academic schedule and specialization responsabilities within communication studies. 

University of Pittsburgh/School of Education
Contact: Dr. Sheila Conway
5145 Posvar Hall,  230 South Bouquet St., Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-7212
sjconway@pitt.edu
Student interns can expect to work in public schools filming student teachers, professional teachers, and students. Student interns are entirely responsible for the filming and editing of the videos that are made and for posting them on websites. Student interns will undergo background checks and various vaccinations (i.e., TB) will be updated if necessary.

Photography and Art Galleries

Garfield Artworks
info@garfieldartwork.com
4931 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: 412-361-2262
Student interns can expect to participate in promotions, production, art design, and curating.

Silver Eye Center for Photography
Contact: Juliana
1015 East Carson Street, Pittburgh, PA 15213
Phone:412-431-1810
jzipay@silvereye.org
Student interns can expect to do a variety of gallery related jobs and assist in the office. It is geared toward the visual arts.

TV Stations

Many of the following stations prefer that students apply online for internship positions. Please follow their wishes.

WTAE
Website
400 Ardmore Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15221

KDKA
Website
11 Gateway Center,  Pittsburgh, PA 15219

WNEP TV
Contact: David Lewandoski, Production Manager
16 Montage Mt. Road, Moosic, PA 18507
Phone: 570-207-2472
Fax: 570-347-0359
Dave.Lewandoski@WNEP.com
Student interns can expect a hands on experience at WNEP. They will assist on shoots, use the cameras, write for promos and features, work in the control booth during live broadcasts, and edit footage.

WPXI
Website
11 Television Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15214

PC TV Cable 21
Contact: John Patterson, Executive Director
1300 Western Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-322-7570
Student interns can expect experience in production, camera, audio, and switcher control. PC TV is a non-profit public access station. This is a good internship for proactive students who want to get very involved in the day-to-day work of a station.

WPCB TV channel 40 (cornerstone TV)
Contact: Steve Johnson, Director of Operations
Wall, PA 15148
Phone: 412-824-3930
sjohnson@ctvn.org
Student interns can expect to work in production, news, and religious background. Cornerstone TV, a Christian station, produces six shows.

WPGH Fox 53
Website
Ivory Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Phone: 412-931-5300
Student interns can expect to work in production, promotion, engineering, sales, research, and business departments.

WQED 13
Contact: Jason Argenas
Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-622-1300 or 412-622-1372
Student interns can expect to work across the range of departments in the studio.

Bethel Park Public Access TV
Contact: Dave Cable
5100 West Library Ave., Bethel Park, PA 15102
Phone: 412-831-3304
Student interns can expect to work in production, directing, camera and editing. This is a small station and interns can expect to participate fully.

National Organizations - New York City

Giaronomo Productions
Contact: Joe Graceffo, Director of Post Production
665 Broadway Ste. 1000, New York, New York 10012
Phone: 212-995-5200
Fax: 212-995-5900
joe@giaronomo.com
Student interns can expect to work as and with assistant editors, preparing A/V elements for finishing, creating music cue sheets and scripts, logging in creative elements to the office, helping control room operators record narrators, and connecting with clients through fiberoptic lines. Interns may also be asked to courier items elsewhere in Manhattan.

The Jason Groupp (photography)
Contact: Jason Groupp, Owner
526 West 26th St. #305, New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-627-4477
Jason@jasongroupp.com
Student Interns can expect to help in the day-to-day operations of a photography studio, and assist in studio management, computer work in Photoshop, lightroom, and bridge. The interns will also be expected to help with photo shoots and to work on whatever projects are underway during the intern’s residence with the company. The interns should probably have completed a basic photography class at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

Late Show with David Letterman
Contact: Janice Penino
1697 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Phone:212-975-5806
japenino@cbs.com
Student interns can expect to assist with the day-to-day workings of the show across a range of departments. Students will also be invited to attend production meetings and to observe the show from the production booth.

MTV
Contact: Mona Yie and Louis Santoro
1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-346-5229
Fax: 212-846-1695
louis.santoro@mtvomie.com
Student interns can expect to work in both production and postproduction, management, and casting. Interns can also expect to help on field shoots, logging production runs, and working with audiences. Interns should probably have completed basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

RSA Films (Ridley Scott Films)
Contact: Jamie Campisano, PM
270 Lafayette St., Suite 2110, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-343-2030
Fax: 212-343-2024
Student interns can expect to assist the executive producers, and to assist in pre- and post production. Students should apply in August for fall appointments.

Saturday Night Live TV
Contact: Dina Moles, Assoc. Producer
30 Rockefeller Plaza 17th Floor 1, New York, NY 10112
Phone: 212-664-7221
dina.moles@nbcuni.com
Student interns can expect to wok as liaisons for production, staff, producers, and talent, and assist in creating DVD/screeners using final cut pro and Photoshop. Interns can also expect to help organize and maintain SNL tape archives with file maker pro.

Silvercup Studio East
Contact: Alberto Rios
34-02 Starr Ave., Long island City, NY 11101
Phone: 718 906 3045
Fax: 718 906 3075
arios@silvercupstudios.com
Student interns can expect to work with a full time employee helping to prep equipment, filling equipment orders, and checking equipment when it returns.

Troma Entertainment
Contact: Nina Riddel, Director of PR
36-40 11th St., Long Island City, New York 11106
Phone: 713-391-0110
nina@troma.com
Student interns can expect to edit footage for promos, viral videos, and upcoming video releases and to get feedback and constructive criticism on their work. They can also expect to help with office work, cleaning, errand running, and stocking inventory. This is an internship that would be most rewarding for students who have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

National Organizations - Los Angeles

American Film Institute
Contact: Rachelle Goetz (x7651)
2021 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: 323-856-7644
Student interns should expect to “shadow” producers and various technicians, and work as production assistants.

The Late, Late Show (World Wide Pants Inc.)
Contact: Andrea Wayland
CBS Television City, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Suite 244  Los Angeles, CA. 90036
Phone: 323-575-5600
Fax: 323-575-5636
Student interns can expect to be rotated through various departments such as: Talent and Music, Research, Production, Post Production, and the Control Room. This is a highly organized internship experience designed to prepare students to work in the field. It is also highly competitive.

Oil Factory
Contact: Jay Wakefield
2032 Armacost Ave., Beverly Hills, CA 90025
Phone: 310-432-2900
jay@oilfactory.com
Student interns can expect to assist the executive producers, work in the office, assist with various social media, work in the vault, and conduct research. Proficiency with MACS and Final Cut Pro would be very helpful. The Factory produces music videos and commercials.

Other National Opportunities

Lou Reda Productions
Contact: Greg Miller, Director of Archives
230 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-258-2957
Fax: 610-991-0460
greg@louredaproductions.com
Student interns can expect to work with the production crews on current projects. They will get an overview and some experience in all facets of the production process. Interns probably should have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

Manhattan Place Entertainment Inc.
Contact: Jannie Cohen, Production Manager
8 Little Mountain Road, Old Tappan, NJ  07675
Phone: 212 682 2000
Fax: 201 358 8276
jannie@manhattanplace.tv
Student interns can expect to work in all phases of post production with supervision.

Fox 13 WTVT-TV (Tampa Fla.) Creative Services Dept.
Contact: Mike House, VP of Communications
3213 W. Kennson Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-870-9704
Fax: 813-870-9648
mike.house@foxtv.com
Student interns can expect to be involved in writing, shooting, and editing promos, assisting with the spot trafficking system, and helping with online work. Motivated and competent interns may be writing, shooting, acting in, and editing their own spots by the end of the internship. Interns should probably have completed the basic production courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

HSN
Contact: Donna Murray, TV schedule/Intern supervisor in HR
1 HSN Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33729
Phone: 727-872-5144
Phone HR: 727-872-1000
Student interns can expect to observe several different broadcasting positions at the beginning of their internships and then to choose one in which to work.

Maine Media Workshops
(Rockport Film and Video Workshops)
PO Box 200, 2 Central Street, Rockport, Maine 04856
Phone: 207-236-8581 or 1-877-577-7700
Website
Student interns can expect to assist in administration, tech support, post production, and digital workshops. Students should apply online in February-March for summer appointments.

International Organizations

ShootingPeople.org
Contact: Helen Jack, Marketing and Operations Manager
8 Hoxton St., London, UK.N1 6NG
Helen@shootingpeople.org
This is a social network website for independent filmmakers. Student interns can expect to be immersed in the work of the company: writing copy, managing social media networks and satellite sites, doing research and creating databases. Interns will also be asked to screen short films and provide feedback on them, to research interesting film and technology news for the newsletter, be involved in running live events, and perform production duties.

Businesses and Sites

www.entertainmentcareers.net
Has internships listed, mostly in LA area

www.newenglandfilm.com/jobs.htm

Women Make Movies
http://www.wmm.com/

Lucasfilms
http://www.lucasfilm.com/employment/intern/

Oddball Film and Video
human_resources@oddballfilm.com
Specializing in odd archival footage

International Radio and Television Society Foundation
Summer student internship all expenses paid, NYC

Telluride Film Festival Student Symposium

Internship Resource Books (Available in Hillman Library)

The Yale Daily News Guide to Internships
call number: LC1072 I58Y35

Internships: A Directory for Career Finders
call number: LC1072 I58G55 1995

Peterson's Internships
call number: L901 I66

The National Directory of Arts Internships
call number: NX280 .N37

National Directory of Summer Internships for Undergraduate Students
call number: LC5751 . N37

The Princeton Review of Best Internships
call number: lc1072.I58 A54

The Student Guide to Mass Media Internships
call number: P91.5 U5S78