Watch your e-mail

We will be scheduling a group meeting for the first week of classes.  Keep your eye on your e-mail to make sure you're available.  New workshoppers will pitch their stories.  Those who are in progress will be expected to share their insights from the first term.

Don't Stop Writing!

Not that you shouldn't enjoy the winter break, but... DON'T STOP WRITING!  There's a deadline coming up right after the New Year.  Keep on schedule and keep focused on your first drafts.

Blog reading

Have you been keeping up with your own blogs?  They count for 10% of your grade this term.  Also, you're supposed to be reading everyone else's blogs, too.  I want to see you commenting on other people's ideas.  The goal here is to form some type of community, even on the net, that you can carry forward as a resource.

Senior Project Meetings This Week

Individual meetings have been scheduled for this week.  Make sure you're keeping up with the work schedule!

BROADWAY ON CAMPUS!

Broadway Star Comes to Drexel for Performance & Master Class
Monday, October 24, 8 pm Show | 3:30 pm Masterclass
Mandell Theater (33rd & Chestnut Sts.)
Seth Rudetsky, Sirius/XM Radio and Broadway star, will perform his hilarious one-man show, Deconstructing Broadway, at 8 PM and hold a master class from 3:30 – 6:30 PM that we can offer free seating for the audience, but unfortunately the class is full.

Seth will bring his own private video and audio collection to show Drexel audiences how to deconstruct what's vocally amazing and what's a vocal travesty. Video highlights include the short-lived Brady Bunch Variety Hour and Cher performing all of the roles in West Side Story. Seth’s enthusiasm for vocal talents and his love of theater are infectious and his on-stage delivery of material never fails to deliver sidesplitting laughter. Tickets for the show are $10, but are free with a Drexel student ID. For others, tickets can be purchased by calling 215-895-ARTS or at the Mandell Theater box office one hour prior to the performance.

Casting Call

RebelYard Theatre Company has issued an open casting call for actors.  More information at www.rebelliousstage.org.

Special Events Coming Up

The Rudman Institute is bringing Jeff Zucker to campus on October 12.  This will be a rare opportunity to  meet one of the most powerful and successful men in the entertainment industry.

7@7 Monday Night Screenings -- please join my good friend John Avarese for seven films on seven Monday nights in the small screening room.  John will be on hand to talk about his music and sound designs as well as dish out all the gossip about the shoots.

Special events like these are an important part of being on campus and being involved in our film community.  Make sure to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as you possibly can.

Off To The Races

The Workshop and Senior Project classes got off to a flying start the other night with a great pitch meeting.  Everyone has some interesting ideas and I'm excited to see how they develop over the course of the two (or three) terms.

Remember, as soon as your blogs are up and running, send me the links so I can post them on this site.

Also, get started on your development work.  Remember, the deadlines don't prohibit you from submitting  work... early (gasp).  Get cracking.

Senior Project/Workshop Meeting

The first meeting for the Senior Project and Screenwriting Workshop fall cycle will be held Thursday evening, September 22nd, 6:30 PM, in the small screening room.  Come prepared to pitch your projects.

So you like to game?

If you're a screenwriter, but also like to game, you should consider enrolling in GMAP 377 Gaming Workshop I.  Contact Professor Paul Diefenbach for more information.

Also, if you have a yen to explore digital storytelling, take a look at DIGM 350 Digital Storytelling.

As writers, you have an opportunity to branch out into new and exciting fields, and with your particular storytelling skills, you will be welcomed with open arms into digital media classes.

Fall Term Starts in One Week

Fall Workshop and Senior Project class information will be coming later this week, along with scheduling information for our first meeting.  Be sure to check your e-mail.

Have you checked the Internship/Co-Op listings lately?  Get early leads on some fantastic job opportunities.

New Fall Classes - Great Opportunities

SCRP is offering two new classes for you to try this fall in speciality writing areas.  They both will give you the opportunity to explore in-depth a particular genre/style of writing.  Registration time is running out.  Get in the classes before you miss your chance, maybe forever!

SCRP 465.001 Writing The Comic Book - Award-winning artist/writer Jamar Nicholas will be guiding a class that shows the ins and outs of writing for comic books and graphic novels.

SCRP 465.002 Comedy Writing for Film - Screenwriter/Novelist/Funny Guy Jeff Cohen will bring the funny in this class that shows you just what it takes to make a laugh on screen.

If you've taken Screenwriting I, you have what it takes to register for either of these classes, so what are you waiting for?

Contest for money!

http://www.youtube.com/user/CollegeBookRenter

More Internships

New listings for internship/co-op possibilities posted today on the internship page.

Internship/Co-op Page Added!

Since the blog seems to be swarmed with opportunities for internships and co-op positions lately, I started a stand-alone page for those postings.  Starting today, any internship leads I get will be be added to the Internship Clearing House page.  Check there frequently if you're looking for a starting point for your co-op or post-grad employment search.

HBO Internship Listing - Check it Out!

JOB POSTING

HBO West Coast Post Production Internship

Contact: Bess Tassoulas

Asst. to Karin Wholey

2500 Broadway, Suite 400

Santa Monica, CA  90404

(310) 382-3381

Bess.tassoulas@hbo.com

We produce all the original material shown on HBO in both the series, and films/miniseries divisions.  Our interns experience the day to day activities of a cable network production department and gain a great perspective of that market, and the industry in general, and the jobs it offers.

Our intern’s duties will include assisting myself in previewing cuts of our series and films to aid finishing and delivering the program, helping check contractual obligations (including screen credit, paid ad credit and marketing needs), organizing show files, helping with the credit approval process which involves reviewing deal memos and contracts, music licenses, stock footage licenses, assisting with post delivery requirements, attending various presentations in new technology, staff meetings, and lastly various assistant-type duties including answering phones, keeping a calendar and filing/organizing.

We encourage students to immerse themselves in the filmmaking process, ask a lot of questions, read scripts, attend appropriate meetings/conference calls, etc.

This work will be paid at $10.00 an hour with a 35 hour work week.  No overtime is required. Our offices are located at the address above.   The student is required to provide their own living arrangements and transportation to the HBO location.

Being an HBO intern is great for making connections that in many cases lead to a great entry-level job right out of college. 

Please contact me if you need any more information.

Sincerely,

Karin Wholey

Internships

FALL 2011 INTERNSHIPS- NBCUniversal
To apply and be considered for a FALL Internship with NBCUniversal’s E!, Style & G4 Networks, please go to: www.ceginternships.com

Our interns are unpaid and therefore must meet the following criteria:
•    Enrolled in an Associate's/Bachelor's/Master's program at an accredited college or university
•    Able to provide proof of credit or a letter of support to receive academic credit from your college or university prior to starting assignment
•    Able to work a minimum of 16 hours per week for at least 12 weeks between the months of September – December.

Candidates will be assessed on the following characteristics: a strong academic performance, community service, leadership experience, and a demonstrated interest in entertainment.

This Fall, we are offering the following internships:§    AUDIENCE RESEARCH§    PRINT AND ONLINE DESIGN§    DEVELOPMENT§    ONLINE EDITORIAL§    HUMAN RESOURCES§    INTERNATIONAL INTERSTITIALS/PRODUCTION§    SALES & MARKETING §    MUSIC§    ON AIR DESIGN & ON AIR PROMOTIONS§    PROGRAMMING§    NEW MEDIA §    PRODUCTION §    TALENT AND CASTING§    FINANCE – CORPORATE/INTERNATIONAL§    BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (MBA REQUIRED)§    BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (MBA NOT REQUIRED)§    SOCIAL MEDIA§    NETWORK OPERATIONS§    BROADCAST/TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake. E!, Style and G4 are networks of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal.

E! is television’s top destination for all things entertainment and celebrity. E! is currently available to 98 million cable and satellite subscribers in the U.S. and the E! Everywhere initiative underscores the company’s dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms any time and anywhere from online to broadband video to wireless to radio to VOD.

The Style Network is the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable, inspiring and transformational lifestyle programming. Style currently counts nearly 70 million cable and satellite subscribers and is one of the fastest growing women’s networks in the U.S. Mystyle.com keeps women up-to-date on all of the latest fashion and beauty news on the web.

G4 offers the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity and “geek culture” for the male 18-34 demo. The network has given young guys of today’s digital generation a television home. G4 is the #1 podcasted cable network in America and is available in 59 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. G4tv.com is a top web destination for video game news and information.

_________________________

Marketing and Ad Sales Internship- BermanBraun
BermanBraun, a Santa Monica, California-based media company, is currently looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Marketing and Ad Sales intern.  BermanBraun is an independent media company, with three divisions – television, feature film and digital.  BermanBraun’s internship offers in-depth exposure to digital media, television and feature film development and production.

The current BermanBraun portfolio includes Wonderwall (the highly successful celebrity site for MSN), Glo (a newly launched women’s fashion, lifestyle and beauty site in partnership with MSN and HFM), as well as Wonderwall Latino and Powerwall. Other new BermanBraun sites will also be added in 2011 in a variety of categories.

Interns in the Marketing/Ad Sales department will take part in and be exposed to the following:
•    Participate and collaborate in regular brainstorm meetings for a variety of Fortune 500 clients across all categories of business including Entertainment, Automotive Consumer Packaged Goods, Retail, Tech, Telecom, etc.
•    Collaborate on creative advertising program solutions including digital, video, mobile, etc.
•    Develop daily communication of industry (advertising, marketing and media) updates to BermanBraun staff
•    Ad hoc business and marketing projects
•    Update and maintain marketing presentations and material
•    Assist in updating editorial calendars
•    Research of current advertising trends and programs
•    Research of new technologies and advertising opportunities
•    Competitive and market research

This is an unpaid position from September to December 2011.  Applicants should be current Marketing or Business School students and must be able to receive college credit from an accredited school.  Please email attached cover letter and resume to bbinternship@gmail.com with the words “Marketing and Ad Sales Intern” in the subject line.

_____________________________

Development/Management Intern- The Gotham Group
The Gotham Group, a management and production company based in Beverly Hills, seeks College Interns for the Fall to assist in all aspects of creative development and client management. Gotham manages feature and television writers and directors in a broad range of genres, as well as producing both live action and animated films. Upcoming projects include the Taylor Lautner thriller ABDUCTION, being released by Lionsgate in September, DARK LIFE with Robert Zemeckis directing at Disney, LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN with JJ Abrams directing at Paramount and LUNCH LADY, to which Amy Poehler is attached to star at Universal. In recent years Gotham clients have been the driving force behind numerous film and television series, including ‘Ben 10’, ‘Prison Break’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘Breakout Kings’. In addition, Gotham acts as one of the world’s largest book to film co-agents, representing material on behalf of agents and publishers including Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins.

This is an unpaid internship for academic credit. Interns must be available 2-3 days a week. Interns will: provide assistance to all departments; read and discuss scripts; assist in the process of developing projects; research script and client information, perform general office duties, including copying, filing and distributing information. Must have a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn about all facets of the entertainment industry. This is a great opportunity to get an introduction to multiple different aspects of the movie and TV business.
Please email cover letter and resume to luke@gotham-group.com


_________________________________


Katalyst Films’ Production Department seeks bright, qualified interns for the Fall semester 2011 (August start preferred). Interns must receive college credit and commit to at least 2 days a week. An interest in production is desired; duties include supporting the Vice President of Production, organizing and prepping shoots, dealing with logistics, helping to facilitate communication and assisting with basic finance processes. Applicants must be detail oriented, multi-tasking, and have the willingness to learn. On set experience is a plus. The internship is unpaid but provides a friendly and creative environment.

If interested, please submit a brief cover letter with a resume (PDF attachment preferred) to productionintern2011@gmail.com

________________________________

Movie Marketing Internship Opportunity
Are you interested in Marketing, Publicity and Promotions for the motion picture industry? Terry Hines & Associates is seeking interns to assist with publicity and promotions for both our Mainstream Marketing and Hispanic Entertainment Marketing Divisions.

Terry Hines & Associates has a 40-year history of partnership with the entertainment industry, and we pride ourselves in our ability to expand our services to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients. A full-service marketing company with offices nationwide, THA has never lost sight of its core operation of providing local and regional expertise, staffing and strategic thinking.

Present clients include:
- WARNER BROS. PICTURES
- FOCUS FEATURES
- ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
- AMC/IMAX
- FILM DISTRICT
- COLUMBIA PICTURES (SONY)
- CBS FILMS
- SCREEN GEMS
- BLOODY DISGUSTING

Position requirements:
No experience is necessary, but an interest in marketing, promotions and/or publicity is plus. A Marketing, Communications, Media, Film or Business related major is preferred, but not required. Additional desired characteristics include: a desire to learn, an outgoing and enthusiastic personality, basic computer skills, punctual and responsible nature, strong verbal communication skills and daily access to phone and email.
Description:
Students will gain intricate knowledge in promotions, publicity and marketing through the film industry. They will learn how to work with campus newspapers, radio stations, organizations and/or retail establishments in setting up promotions and running contests, theme nights, drawings, giveaways, etc.

Students will assist with on-site coordination at movie premieres, screenings, stunts and events and will learn to target, pitch and recruit an audience for advance screenings and how this in turn generates word of mouth.

Students will learn how a studio promotes a film on a grass-root level by utilizing promotional merchandise (e.g.
t-shirts, books, posters, passes, one-sheets, soundtracks etc.) to promote and publicize the film. Students
will learn how to brainstorm creative ideas, create a game plan and then execute their ideas.

Internship positions are unpaid, must be taken for college credit, accepting college students only. Incentives such as screening passes, posters, T-shirts, etc. may be also be awarded for much appreciated help. Interns will work closely with a supervisor on local publicity/promotions. One quarter minimum commitment, but two quarters is a definite plus. Approx. 12-20 hours a week, very flexible, will work around student’s schedule. Interviews will begin now for the Fall 2011 semester.

Please EMAIL your resume to: therese@thaweb.com
(No phone calls please)

______________________________


Multimedia and Visual Asset Specialist Intern- Hulu (Los Angeles, CA)
We are seeking an artistic professional to create dynamic, visual messages as our Multimedia and Visual Asset Specialist.
Our role calls for a precision performer, an artist with new media fluency to develop high quality, innovative communications that make our story come alive.  A creative force to orchestrate internal, pixel-perfect multimedia campaigns across multiple offices - worldwide. A virtuoso communicator with gifts in writing, graphics, print, digital, social, video and sound.
This position deserves the Dali of the digital space. A unique person that is bold, eccentric, authentic, passionate, and explicit. The content we produce builds transparency, demonstrates warmth, and propagates familiarity amongst our team members.  The right person for this role isn’t timid and has technique driven by personality.
At Hulu, we entertain and delight our customers through premium video with full sight, sound, and motion. So our team members deserve a comparable experience of storytelling through images, sounds, and appealing creative experiences. We say Hulu is the best place for builders to build, which means our people don't behave like employees, they behave like owners. They need quick pops of information backed up with full context and options for further exploration into an issue. 
If you are hanging on these words, racing to complete each sentence, and starting to feel an adrenaline rush in your veins, read on to get the specifics of the role and apply for this position immediately.  We need you yesterday.
Responsibilities
•    Design collateral for key internal programs
•    Develop and update internal presentations and newsletters
•    Assisting in the producing of videos and editing them to a final product
•    Assisting in the a/v set up and production for Hulu events
•    Working with multiple departments to ensure meeting footage is digitized and posted
       to the appropriate outlet in a timely fashion
•    Managing editorial schedules and uploading videos to the Intranet
•    Manage updates of our internal wiki
•    Assisting in the development the Intranet
•    Writing descriptions for all collateral
•    Managing documentation of collateral produced
•    Laughing out loud
Qualifications
•    0-2 years in video production, graphic design, marketing and communications
•    Excellent project management and organization skills
•    Exceptional written and verbal communication
•    Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Final Cut Studio,
       HTML, MAC and PC computers
•    Knowledge of basic production equipment (cameras, lighting, sound, etc…)
•    Basic knowledge of print production (paper types and color matching)
Required
•    Must be currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program in order to
       receive academic credit
•    Must be a rising senior or in entering your last year of graduate school
•    Must be pursuing a degree in marketing, communications, new media, design or
       related area
•    Must be available July 2011 – June 2012. Full time during the summer, a minimum of
       three days a week (including Mondays) during the school year
Please submit your resume, portfolio, reel and additional samples of your work.
Apply: http://www.hulu.com/jobs/job/a08C000000BOwgEIAT

_________________________

Public Relations Internship- Hulu (Los Angeles, CA)
The PR intern will support the communications efforts for Hulu. The role requires a strong degree of multi-tasking, a sharp focus for details, an ability to find humor in chaos and an innate sense of urgency to promptly respond to the team. The PR intern must be clever, thoughtful and tenacious; must have a passion for our industry and the business of communications, a “can-do” attitude and a hunger to master the basics of PR/Communication field.

Responsibilities
•    Write first drafts of communications documents: briefing sheets, pitches, blogs, tweets, etc.
•    Assist with internal communications efforts such as newsletters, website, intranet, wiki, event planning, etc.
•    Research and analyze industry trends, market data and current dynamics
•    Track media coverage and gather weekly media recap reports
•    Research speaking opportunities and create briefing sheets for executive appearances

Qualifications
•    1-2 years in PR/communications
•    Excellent project management and organization skills
•    Experience in composing media lists and tracking coverage (Cision, Lexis Nexis) preferred
•    Exceptional written and verbal communications skills
•    Social media fluency: understands how to use and leverage Facebook, Twitter, blogs
•    Graphic design experience including use of Adobe Creative Suite (and similar products) and Keynote

Required
•    Must be pursuing a degree in marketing, journalism, communications, business or related area
•    Must be available June-August 2011, three days a week (including Mondays)

Not Required
•    Making coffee
•    Sorting mail
•    Mundane work

Please submit your resume, cover letter and your PR-related writing sample (press release, pitch letter, etc.)
This is a PAID summer internship.
Hulu is an equal opportunity employer.
Please submit resumes and writing samples to:  http://www.hulu.com/jobs/job/a08C000000ApU9yIAF

Fall Co-Op Opportunities!

1. I am writing to notify you about an upcoming internship opportunity with New Dramatists. We are currently accepting applications for our Fall Term (Sept 6 – Dec 20, 2011), and I wanted to make sure your students are aware of the opportunity.

The New Dramatists internship experience offers a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of a professional, non-profit arts organization in New York City. In addition to stage managing for play readings and workshops, the interns work as full-time assistants in our Literary, Casting, Development, and Administrative offices. Our internship program provides great exposure to the playwright’s process, and serious involvement in the many workshops and readings that happen in the building. We are particularly looking for intern candidates who are available full-time to stage manage our robust writer-driven readings and workshops.

Attached is the notice. Please forward it to anyone who might be interested. Note that the application deadline for the Fall Term is July 15.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Cara Scarmack



CARA SCARMACK

Development Associate

424 West 44th Street

New York, NY 10036

P 212-757-6960 x5472

F 212-265-4738

E CaraScarmack@newdramatists.org

2. A prominent Santa Monica-based production company with a first-lookStudio film deal is looking for smart, hard-working interns to read
scripts, write coverage, and assist with day-to-day duties. Position
is unpaid, but hours are flexible (approx. 2 days/week) and college
credit is provided. Great opportunity for those interested in film or
TV development to work closely with Senior Film Executives and learn
the ropes of this industry. Candidates should have professional
manner, strong work ethic, and positive attitude. Position is for Fall
(approx Sept – Dec) only. If interested, please contact
Nicole@JosephsonEnt.com



3. Kopelson Entertainment is seeking to fill multiple internship
positions in a friendly, open environment. Ideal candidates will be
motivated, responsible, and eager to learn. Duties would include
phones, administrative tasks, reading scripts and writing coverage. We
provide an environment where interns can learn the ins-and-outs of the
film industry. The internship is unpaid, but lunch is covered. Send
your resume to manny@kopelson.com

FMVD Senior Show This Saturday!

Make sure to see the best the senior FMVD class has to offer this Saturday in Bossone Auditorium, starting at 2:00!

Events!

Plenty of events are scheduled this week around the visit of Christine Vachon.  Make sure to drop in on at least one of these chances to learn from a working professional who's at the top of their game.

If you've missed the posters around campus or not checked your e-mail, you can find more information on the Westphal Events Page.

New Design

It's spring, and a new term, so it was time to change the look.  Just keepin' it fresh.  Just like all of you are with your writing.

Dreaded Deadline Doom!

You may recognize that phrase as the excuse Marvel comics used to use every couple of months when they'd run a reprint.  In this case, though, it means for some of you, your first draft is due at the end of the week, 5:00 PM.

You all know how I frown on people missing deadlines, right?

Playwriting Opportunity!

Rebel Yard Theatre Collective is looking for 10-minute plays and is accepting student work.  This could be your big break!

Here's the info:

http://www.myspace.com/rebelyardphiladelphia/blog/542449015

Workshop and Sr. Project Meetings

Workshop and Senior Project students will meet EITHER Thursday or Friday morning @ 10:00 AM in the Large Screening Room. You must attend one of these two meetings. Come prepared to talk about your scripts and where you are in the writing process.

Meeting Info

Please log onto the Doodle schedule link I sent to your e-mail and let me know your preferred meeting times for later in the week. I'd like to squeak a meeting in for February.

Friendly Reminder

Screenwriters in workshop and senior project cycle classes: I went trolling though blogs this afternoon and was, well, underwhelmed at the amount of posting some of you have been doing. Aside from being part of your grade, it can actually help you become a better writer.

History Channel Deadline Extended!

You have a few extra days to get your pitches together for the History Channel. Submit them by Sunday, January 23rd. Take a shot, you might get some free feedback.

Great Opportunity to Pitch

Following up on her visit in November, Nancy Dubuc is sending three of her top development executives at the History Channel to Drexel on Wednesday, January 26th, to continue the conversation. They will walk us through the show production process and show us how an idea goes from a post-it note to a full-blown network production.

I thought it might be fun to include the students in some way. Here is what the History folks are proposing. By January 20th or so, any students who want to can send in a pitch for something they think could work on History. The executives will go through them and pick a few to talk about at their presentation on the 26th.

Students should send the pitches to Karen Curry at karen.curry@drexel.edu. The slug should be History Channel.

Here are the instructions for the students:

Think of non-fiction shows you like on other networks and why.

Watch a sampling of prime time programming on the History Channel.

Then, after getting a sense of the History shows, write a pitch for the kind of prime time show you like, tailored to the style and audience of History.

It is a terrific opportunity to interact with some key players. They will only be able to give feedback on a few pitches, but all the students will learn from the feedback those pitches get.

The presentation will be at 11AM on Wednesday, January 26th, at Stein Auditorium.

The people coming from the History Channel are:

David McKillop, SVP of Development and Programming (He is responsible for the development, creation and execution of all programming for HISTORY)
Paul Cabana, History Executive Producer
Russ McCarroll, History Executive Producer

Dreaded Deadline Doom

I think that's the way they used to put it at Marvel Comics every time they had to issue a reprint of a comic story instead of having new material: we fell prey to the Dreaded Deadline Doom.

Don't let that be you. For the new people, you should have at least established a blog outpost and made a couple of entries by now. For the rest, you're on the block for your first drafts. DON'T lose track of the dates when we expect to see things. Be a pro.

The Weather Question

A couple of people have asked what the story is with the impending snow. If the university cancels classes, our meeting will be rescheduled. Otherwise, come ready to pitch. Check the main university web site for weather announcements before you leave for campus.

Workshop Meeting Scheduled

The first meeting of the workshop and senior project groups for winter term has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 10:00 AM in UCross #030. New students be prepared to pitch.