LOS ANGELES – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (www.oscars.org) recently announced commitments from 28 partner companies for its third year of Academy Gold. The entertainment industry internship enhancement and mentorship program is geared toward students and young professionals from underrepresented communities.
Participating partners include AMC Networks, Annapurna Pictures, Circle of Confusion, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), The Walt Disney Company, Dolby Laboratories, DTS (part of Xperi Corporation), Evolve Entertainment Fund (Mayor’s Office), FotoKem, FremantleMedia NA, HBO, ICM Partners, Illumination, IMAX, Moving Picture Institute, Overbrook Entertainment, Panavision, Paramount Pictures, Participant Media, Sony Pictures, Technicolor, Telsey + Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Univision, United Talent Agency (UTA), Warner Bros. and John Wells Productions.
Each of the partners will sponsor up to three of their interns for the program, which kicked off on June 20th with a two-day orientation that included industry speakers, studio and technology-based company tours and visits to the Academy’s Film Archive and Margaret Herrick Library.
This summer, 118 students (including 25 interns placed within the Academy) from across the United States and abroad, will participate in Academy Gold. The seven-week program, which concludes on August 10th, offers participants networking opportunities with Academy members and industry professionals, screenings, studio tours and educational workshops.
The Production Track program, added to Academy Gold last year to offer technical workshops to students interested in cinematography, production design and film editing, will also include costume design this summer. Participants include students from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's Evolve Entertainment Fund, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, West Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Film School, Exceptional Minds and the Ruderman Family Foundation, among others. These students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience shooting scenes on a soundstage and spend one week on the set of an active production shadowing various departments.
Highlights from this summer’s Gold programs include:
Demystifying the Unions and Guilds
Representatives from various unions and guilds explain their role in working with filmmakers.
Inside the Executive Suite – Creative Development and Distribution
Studio executives discuss their roles and responsibilities in getting a film made and distributed.
Pre-Production and Production Overview
Understanding a script from multiple creative perspectives: writing, directing, casting, cinematography, costume and production design.
Post-Production Overview
The relationships between studio executives, producers, directors and the creative team during post-production.
The Dream Team
Defining the roles of the agent, manager, publicist and entertainment attorney.
Special Effects and VFX
Exploring the increasing role of visual effects and digital imagery in motion pictures.
Film Financing
Filmmakers, producers, distributors, financiers and executives discuss what it takes to get your film made.
Upon completion of the program, all Gold interns will be paired with Academy members for an eight-month mentorship.