Apply to the Firelight Internship Program
FIRELIGHT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Mission
Firelight produces award-winning films that expose injustice, illuminate the power of community and tell a history seldom told. Firelight connects these films with diverse audiences using concrete and innovative ways to inspire, educate, and mobilize audiences into action. We are dedicated to developing talented documentary filmmakers amplifying underrepresented stories, moving them from the margins to the forefront of mainstream media through high quality, powerful productions.
Program
It is Firelight’s mission to mentor our interns and give them the skills and experience to be the next generation of media professionals. Our internship program will give dedicated and driven participants the opportunity to assist our Firelight Team with the production and development of documentary film projects. Our program is designed to give interns a look into all aspects of documentary filmmaking, from start to finish.
Interns support staff on production, research, administrative, post-production, and operational tasks. They will be given specific assignments and expected to complete short and long term projects. Some of the tasks include conducting research, organizing archives, serving as a PA on various shoots, updating catalog libraries, and transcribing.
In addition to developing new skills, interns are required to watch the documentary film collection of Firelight Films’ founder, Stanley Nelson which includes, Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (2021), Miles Davis: The Birth of the Cool (2019), Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities (2017), The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015). His earlier films include Freedom Summer (2014), Freedom Riders (2010) The Murder of Emmett Till (2003), and Two Dollars and a Dream (1989).
Program Tasks and Activities
â—Ź Orientation – Introductions themselves and their own projects/interests, play an ice-breaker game, hear from past interns about their experience, etc.,
â—Ź Conducting research for projects in pre-production, learning about treatments and pitching
â—Ź Working with archival materials – organizing, transcribing, logging into databases on Filemaker
â—Ź Assisting our production teams with delivery items, transcribing, location scouting, etc.,
â—Ź Assisting our online events team with editing and research projects
â—Ź Lunch and Learn: Interns participate in a series of lunches/meetings about different topics related to documentary production and career trajectories: Through the course of their internship the list of topics can include (but is not limited to): subject development, working with archival, production insights, writing and pitching, stories from our editors
â—Ź A Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass with Stanley Nelson
Program Requirements
Interns are given the option to work two or more full days per week (Mon-Fri), or a minimum of 15 hours per week at Firelight. This is currently an unpaid internship; but we can provide academic credit or recommendations based on internship performance.
NOTE: This internship is currently being conducted remotely due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in learning more about documentary filmmaking and picking up hands on experience, Firelight might be the place for you! Send your cover letter and resume to info@firelightmedia.org. Please write “Firelight Internship” in the email subject, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.