Yale in Hollywood

UCS and Yale in Hollywood Club, an alumni group involved in the entertainment industry and part of the Yale Club of Southern California, have collaborated to offer internship opportunities and streamline the internship search process for students interested in

interning in the film and entertainment industries. We would like to thank the Yale Film Studies Department and the Yale Film Society for their assistance in coordinating these programs.

Program Information

• About Yale in Hollywood
  • Special Events
  • Resources
  • Credit Information
• Requirements
• Finances
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Funding
• Application Information
• Questions?

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About Yale in Hollywood
The mission of the Yale In Hollywood internship program is to provide internship opportunities for students to explore a career in film & entertainment. Opportunities may serve as an introduction to the various components of the film industry: talent management & representation, production, screenwriting & editing, story line generation, and various business aspects. Students will receive guidance from industry professionals as they develop their networking skills and develop a base of contacts that are integral to finding further opportunities in the film & entertainment industry.

• Special Events
  In accordance to the goals of this program, other events will be planned during the summer including receptions and networking events with alumni in Southern California in order to provide students with an opportunity to establish a solid network in the entertainment industry and begin developing mentoring relationships with alumni. A major component of success in Hollywood is building relationships with a network of people that will lead to future opportunities.
  
  Email announcements will be sent to students before the summer and during the summer months highlighting events. Notify internships.ucs@yale.edu once you have accepted an internship in Hollywood to be included in email announcements.



• Resources for your Hollywood Internship
  Before beginning your internship in Hollywood, conduct some research and read the “trades” which will allow you to be well-versed on the current events of the industry and the organizations participating in the program. Some web sites that you should be reviewing on a regular basis are:
  
  • Backstage West
  • Hollywood Creative Directory - available in the UCS library
  • Hollywood Reporter
  • iFilm
  • IMDBpro (fee service; 14-day trial service available)
  • ShowBizData
  • Show Biz Jobs
  • Studio Systems (fee service)
  • Variety

  While in Hollywood, take the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with Yale alumni and other professionals in the film and entertainment industry. View tips and suggestions on the UCS web site to conduct effective informational interviews.

• Credit Information
  Yale College does not offer academic credit for internships. NOTE: Academic Credit may be expected by employers participating in the program. Read each description carefully as employers participating in the program will handle the academic credit issue in one of 3 ways:

1. They will not require credit or a "Credit Letter."
2. Some will require students to provide a “Credit Letter” drafted by UCS once an internship has been accepted.
3. A select few will require you to obtain academic credit. In these cases, you should submit an UCLA application
   form and then enroll at the UCLA Extension web site for their Internship in Entertainment Studies course. The course will cost $395 and the credit will not transfer to Yale.
   

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Requirements

• Internship Evaluation
  As part of the Yale in Hollywood program, students are required to fill out an evaluation upon completion of their internships. Visit the online Internship Evaluation form on the UCS web site and take a few moments to fill one out after your internship. Your evaluation may be anonymous if you choose (you can have your contact information withheld). The evaluation is a benefit to other students and assists UCS to continue to improve the Yale in Hollywood program.


• Confidentiality Statement
  During these internships you will have access to confidential information. If solicited by outside organizations for information regarding scripts and confidential materials you may not share any of this information at any time as you will lose your internship. In addition, you will not be able to participate in the Yale in Hollywood program.

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Finances

• Housing
  Housing is to be secured on your own but search assistance may be provided through Yale in Hollywood alumni. UCS has identified a number of resources that students can use while searching for housing in the Los Angeles area. Students should also consider rooming with other Yale students that will be interning in Los Angeles. Be sure to research the location of your apartment and the distance to your internship site.
  
  • Craigslist: Web resource with apartment listings, sublets, and rooms for rent.
  • UCLA Apartment & Neighborhood Listings: A good listing of apartment options as well as neighborhood descriptions
  • Los Angeles Times: Quality real estate/classified section
  • LA Weekly: Smaller local paper with housing listings
  • Westside Rentals: Fee to join but commonly used in LA
  • Oakwood Corporate Apartments: Provides corporate style apartments and suites


• Transportation
  It is usually recommended to have a car because where you live and work may be far apart and the public transportation system in Los Angeles can be difficult and timely to navigate. Job descriptions will list whether having a car is required and do talk with your employer and coordinate housing accordingly.



• Funding
  Like the majority of the internship opportunities in the entertainment industry, these opportunities will be unpaid unless otherwise specified. Not all opportunities will require students to work full-time for 40 hours-per-week thereby offering students an opportunity to participate in multiple internships or hold part-time jobs to supplement the internship. Research additional funding options through Yale Grants and Fellowships although they will be somewhat limited.

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Application Information

Applicants will apply through eRecruiting. Please return to the eRecruiting internship listings over the next few weeks as new opportunities will continue to be posted. All position deadlines are rolling unless a date is specified by the employer. Be sure to read each position's application instructions and deadlines carefully before applying.

• Application Instructions
  The instructions are involved; do not wait until the last minute to begin your preparation.

1. Register in eRecruiting
   If you have not already done so, you must update your Profile information in eRecruiting and ensure that all fields are complete. These fields must include your local address, permanent address, work authorization information, and current telephone numbers including area code.
   Register now - Update your profile



2. Apply for position(s) in eRecruiting
   Internship listings and application information for each company can be found in eRecruiting by selecting the
   Yale in Hollywood Internships On-click Search link. Students may apply to an unlimited number of positions.
   Apply now



3. Follow Up
   A component of the application process is to follow up once you have applied. You should check in with the employers to review the status of your application and to reiterate your interest and maintain good contact with them throughout the application process. If you are unsure what may be appropriate when contacting employers contact internships.ucs@yale.edu or Aaron Kogan '00ES with your questions.

• Required Documentation
  All students are required to submit the following documentation for each internship application (additional materials may be requested by individual companies):

1. Resume
2. Cover letter

• Selection Process
  Applications will go directly to each individual company and they will contact students either by email or phone. There is no limit to the number of opportunities that students can apply for. Be sure to review the desired student status (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate) and the credit requirements listed under the Comments section.
  
  Most interviews will be held via phone but indicate if you will be available in Los Angeles (over spring break) for a face-to-face interview. Internship sponsors will be interviewing and making offers to students during March and April. It is imperative to respond to employers in a timely manner once contacted.
  
  For internships that require a letter of credit, you may request a letter by e-mailing internships.ucs@yale.edu after you have been made an offer by that company only. UCS will fax this letter to the internship sponsor within 48 hours of receipt of student request. Students may pick up a copy of their letter to keep for their records.

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Questions?

If you have questions about the application process, living in Los Angeles this summer or the entertainment industry, please submit your inquiries to internships.ucs@yale.edu or Aaron Kogan '00ES, Yale in Hollywood Internship Program Coordinator in Hollywood.

Need your resume and cover letter reviewed? Stop by UCS during open hours.

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