Sony Pictures: Intern Profile

For a film major or a film and television lover, an internship at Sony Pictures is the Holy Grail, or more like the holy film slate. Sony's produced movie franchises like Spider-Man and the James Bond films, and packaged television shows from Seinfeld to Dawson’s Creek and a few in between. Today we talk to Jon, a former Sony intern, for the inside scoop.

Intern Memo: What kind of internship did you have?

Jon: I interned at Sony Pictures Television under Senior Vice President Winifred White Neisser in development for television mini-series and movies.

IM: What were the daily goings at Sony?

J: My daily tasks consisted of listening in on, and taking notes for, developmental meetings, handling phones and scheduling, reading scripts and doing coverage for them. I attended pitch and script meetings, viewed dailies of footage, and also had basic mail/copying/filing office work.

IM: What was the best part of your internship?

J: The best part was sitting in on the script and pitch meetings. I really enjoyed learning and observing first hand how scripts are looked over and made into pictures. It's great experience for anyone who wants to get into screenwriting or even how to give notes as an executive.

IM: To help out future interns, can you tell us what the interviewing process was like?

J: The interviewing process wasn't as frightful as I thought it would be. I was one of the luckier people because my first interview in Los Angeles was with Sony, which I had really wanted and I got it right away. I would recommend though, that even if you get the internship you want right away, you should still go to the interviews you scheduled at other studios. An interview is always good practice.

IM: What do you think helped you get the job?

J: My involvement in extracurricular activities and projects at Emerson, I believe, helped me get the job. I aided on student films and shows, and took part in the production of several large extracurricular functions like the EVVY's, a student award show that is broadcast live in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York.

IM: What did your internship do for you?

J: It gave me a fantastic look into the television development world and gave me great contacts for the future. It also helped me make a solid resume, and it gave me recommendations that helped me land other jobs within the industry.

IM: What advice would you give to a student looking for a similar internship?

J: Learn as much as you can during your internship. Even when things may seem dull, don't be afraid to ask questions about things you're interested in, or even get to know your employer better. You're there to learn and any employer would be willing to help you out.

Sony's still filling up it's slate for summer interns, so if this is a four quadrant internship for you, be in touch.

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