Great news, schools and students! LAI Video is looking for summer interns.
Having been an intern for two summers, I feel like I’m somewhat of a "leading authority" to speak about the value of a good internship.
As a rising junior and senior, I interned at Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau. A few blocks east of our current location, the LAI Video program was just as young as it was nameless. Nestled between a trash can, a rack full of VCRs and a locked door to the men’s room, I spent many a summer-month learning about making videos.
While I valued my education at a liberal arts college, the media curriculum was taught in somewhat of a vacuum. Without a doubt, we had some of the best edit systems and cameras. But what mattered to a "real life" company like Leading Authorities was deadlines and a quality product. The gear was arbitrary, but the power to make something-out-of-nothing was priceless.
By the end of my first summer at LAI, I was able to write, produce and animate an intro video for Arianna Huffington.
Sure, the video might not hold up to LAI Video’s current minimum standards. Hey, this was 2007 — the year of Obama Girl and the first iPhone. Upon completion of the project, I burned a master copy onto a beta tape, but more importantly, I had a piece that I could use in my demo reel.
Not every internship is right for every intern. But even if it's optional, I strongly encourage students to seek one out and apply. You'll get one helluva competitive edge and might just learn something.
Here’s our official blurb:
The LAI Video internship program is designed for college students studying design, animation, video and film. Fast-paced and fun, the internship will provide tangible, hands-on experience in scriptwriting, videography, editing, and composite animation. Each intern will have a unique curriculum designed to strengthen his or her individual skill-set and aspirations. Interns can expect to walk away from the experience with a new insight into the video production industry, as well as portfolio examples to be used in a personal demo reel. The internship is unpaid and intended for school credit.
Please submit your resume and cover letter (including link to an online reel) to Kate Kelly at katek@lauthorities.com. Please visit www.laivideo.com for additional information about LAI Video.