About the Media Art author(s)

Recently in the Media Art Category

I know a lot of prospective students have questions about the Emerson's LA program.
While I was in Los Angeles doing the LA program I met a couple of Emerson Alumni who got hired by NBC Universal after doing the same internship I did. One student in particular made this video to promote their internship program at Bravo. He is currently working at the Conan O'Brien.

I had to share it with students interested in Emerson College because it's just funny and well its a great example of what some students have done in their internships.

Chris's Video

I just got back from doing the LA program in Los Angeles through Emerson College. I was lucky enough to get an internship through NBC Universal in the Bravo Digital Media department. The internship was perfect for me because it really made use of some of the skills I already had in editing. It also opened me up to the idea of working in promotions or even on video content for websites. NBC Universal was great because they offered workshops on resume writing and networking. They really had an emphasis in mentoring and developing professional relationships with professionals. In my time there I was able to schedule a meeting with one of the executive producers of Bravo Television. She offered some great career advice and also provided me with a good foundation for understanding how to navigate a career in the world of entertainment. NBC Universal also offered some great opportunities to network with other interns from around the U.S. and also to explore different career options.

The LA program really gives you the opportunity to explore Hollywood and get a glimpse into the industry. The LA program really supplemented my education and really opened up my eyes to my career options. Through the program you also get a glimpse of what other students are doing in their internships. You also get a glimpse into the different companies. Everyone's experiences were so extremely different. Some students worked for small production companies, others worked for companies such as the Comedy Channel or Playtone Productions. One student got the opportunity to be a production assistant for 90210 and Melrose Place. She also got to be an extra in a commercial. Another student worked at a small production company and got the opportunity to do a little bit of everything. One student spent most of his time reading scripts, one of which was picked up by the company to be directed by Jodie Foster.

Mainly at my internship I got the opportunity to explore NBC Universal. I made some great contacts and my supervisor was great at providing mentorship. It was great to just have the opportunity to be in such a large company.

This past May, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival. When I returned, the questions were mostly of the stars that I saw along the Croisette. While I had a few brushes with the likes of Pedro Almodovar and Ang Lee most of the excitement to be had for me was on the floor of the Marché du Film the largest film market in the world. It's here that films compete for attention of buyers, distributors and festival folk like myself for the chance at reaching an audience.

I was there as a representative of Emerson to promote our new MFA program and support the students and alums attending as both participants and interns with programs like Creative Minds in Cannes and the American Pavilion. I was also there to represent my film festival, Boston Underground as well as Global Voices, The UN Association of Greater Boston film festival for which I am serving as program director this year. The trip was a success on all fronts meeting several alums, working closely with Creative Minds where 6 Emerson students were interning and developing relationships with other film festival folk like Colin Geddes (Toronto International Film Festival), Tim League (Fantastic Fest), and Andersen Le (Hawaii International Film Festival).
There is so much to tell you all...more to some soon in the next blog...

I did my undergrad degree at a very large University and although my program was small the University was huge. I think that for my Master's degree, it was important for me to attend a smaller school to get individualized attention. I didn't exactly know what to expect when starting Emerson, but I quickly discovered that it was worth it to attend a small college as a graduate student. I guess I began to realize the difference really early on. For example, I realized that I could talk to my professors and ask them questions about my professional development. Also, it's easy to find professors to talk to if you have questions about your projects or career direction. In addition, it's such a small school that teachers really get to know you and your skills. You're more than just a number.

It's that time. The hectic two week stretch between Thanksgiving and the end of classes. Students are rushed, frazzled and ready for the long break that awaits them on the other side. They've earned it. I'm looking forward to the relative calm after the semester ends to begin planning for next semester. I have lots of new initiatives to plan for, such as the Boston Connection, the Emerson Youtube page (which will launch in January), and a spring festival of Emerson film and video work. As a month of holiday parties stretches before me, I can't say I'm anxious to get to the work I have waiting for me. For now, I'll make the rounds, drink the eggnog, submit my grades and leave the frenzy to the students.

Thanksgiving is coming. YAY, I can't wait. I have to admit though I do need the Thanksgiving break to work on my Master's project a little bit. I am feeling a little overwhelmed by my Master's project right now, but I feel like I'll have a chance to work on my proposal a little bit during the break and be feeling much better about it once I get back. Even though I am overwhelmed by my Master's project, I feel that with each project I work on at Emerson I being to feel more and more confident about my abilities. I also do feel that the support of professors does give me more confidence that I'll be able to do a good job with my Master's project.

In terms of diversity at Emerson College, I have been surprised by the amount of diversity in my program. It's really nice to be in a class with not only students from all over the world but students from different backgrounds. I admit though I have learned a lot from other students in addition to what I have learned from my professors.

I've been overwhelmed as of late with all the events that I have been coordinating and helping to promote. The Boston Connection trips are over for the semester. I spent the last two months taking small groups of students on tours of area media companies that are popular destinations for internships such as Powderhouse Productions, WGBH, WZLX and Brickyard VFX. We sat down with alumni at each of these companies and talked about career opportunities. With the help of career services and alumni relations these have proved to be enormously successful.

Welcome to my blog!

I am happy that Graduate Admission asked me to be a part of this venture... I have so much to say! As the "link between VMA students and the outside world" I am a fountain of information on what events are happening on campus (like the Interrogate This screening), off- campus (like the the Boston Irish Film Festival and the Boston Jewish Film Festival) as well as contests (like the MTVu Best Filmmaker on Campus), Internships (like the paid MIT Nextlab internship), places to screen your work (like the Tribecca Film Festival) and of course plenty of free film screening passes.

My door is always open to prospective and current students as well as alumni. I can counsel on internships, entry-level job opportunities, submitting to festivals and competitions and how to build a resume in your field through volunteering. Feel free to contact me for advice, assistance and general enthusiasm about Emerson and VMA!

You may be wondering what happened to Emerson's MA in Media Arts program, in which our blogger Rina is a current student. Well we're transitioning this program to an MFA in Media Art beginning in fall 2009. The MFA program will help students refine their creative voice and technical skills, as well as qualify graduates to teach media art at the college level.

In the words of the graduate program director, Jan Roberts-Breslin, "The MFA in Media Art will provide students with the opportunity to develop as creative artists and media professionals, working with image and sound to entertain, inform, persuade, and challenge, using both traditional and emergent media forms. Students will develop an understanding of the disciplines of film, video, audio, and interactive media production, and study the history, theory, and critical discourse that provide the foundation for their creative work. Students will have the opportunity to acquire specialized skills, collaborate with other talented media artists, and cultivate their individual creative voices."

The priority deadline for for fall 2009 admission to the MFA in Media Art program is January 5, 2009. Be sure to apply by this deadline if you wish to be considered for merit aid awards. Applicants will need to submit a portfolio of creative work.

If you have questions about the new MFA program, please consult our MFA Fact Sheet or email us with questions. We are excited to bring you this promising new program.

I choose Emerson College because a number of my co-workers at WHDH-TV were in the program. After speaking with them, I realized that the program was a good move for me. Both of the Video Editors I worked with were happy with the program and one of them is currently is living in Los Angeles working as an Assistant Editor. I felt that the program really prepared them for the next step of their careers it also helped them land better jobs. That was for me the main selling point for me. I realized it was what I needed in order to stay competitive in a really competitive field.