Jaylene Murillo

University of Florida

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Editing (Scripted)

Company:
Geiger Post

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I want to work in television because I love the power that it has to unite, inspire, and make us feel. I applied to this internship because it gives me the opportunity to work in a specific area I love. Additionally, I applied because I know it will help me gain valuable connections in my professional and personal life. This program will provide a better perspective of the industry and cultivate me into a better storyteller so that I may go on to create things that people love.

Abbie Vandruff

Elon University

Graduation Year: 2020

Category:
Development: Unscripted

Company:
Back Roads Entertainment

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, unscripted television shows were a staple in my household-- a fun way for me and my parents to spend time together after school and work. As I got more interested in working in the television industry, I'd watch each episode and imagine myself working behind the camera. So, when I found this program, and the Development: Unscripted category, I knew that I had to apply, because it really was my perfect match. I am hoping that my summer with the Television Academy Foundation's internship program will expose me to real-world experiences and challenges that will allow me to grow both personally and professionally, and I am so excited to face them head-on!

Safi Nazzal

Chapman University

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Children's Programming Development

Company:
Moonbug Entertainment

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I chose to pursue television after taking a melodrama elective at my university. Melodramas across the globe speak to the potential behind producing edifying content. While our shows will not change the world, they will offer the language for such change. Thus I found myself applying for the Television Academy Foundation, eager to decode the mechanics of this industry and inspired to work alongside the encoders of future content.

Tori Chin

University of Florida

Graduation Year: 2021

Category:
PR/Publicity

Company:
Cartoon Network

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
My love for the art of storytelling inspired me to seek a career in television publicity. There's magic in the ability to learn about other people, places and cultures from your living room. I was inspired to apply to the Television Academy Foundation's internship program when I saw that other UF students had been chosen for the program in previous years. I am so grateful for this internship and the ability to work in the entertainment publicity field on this scale while making great connections with people in the industry!

Chuck Riddick

University of Louisiana - Monroe

Graduation Year: 2020

Category:
Public Relations/Publicity

Company:
Hulu

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up, my favorite television show was The Golden Girls, and if you'll remember, they had a gay character in the first episode as their housekeeper. I didn't even realize how big of a deal this was growing up, but revisiting this show over the past few years, it just really made an impact on me, seeing someone like myself actually on television. One of my professors, Dr. Lesli Pace, inspired me to apply for the Television Academy Foundation's internship program. For a gay, first-generation college student from Louisiana, this industry would have been impossible for me to ever work in without the help of the Program.

Alexis Clinton

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Entertainment News

Company:
Extra TV

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
My godfather worked as a videographer for NBC and I’ve always looked up to him over the years. As I got older I would watch talk shows everyday, analyze the dynamics of how reality TV was created, and obsess over the latest celebrity news. Applying for this internship was something that I thought was out of my reach because of what I was told. However, with the experience/ connections that I know I will gain from this internship program, I’ll be that much closer to my goal of being a versatile woman within the world of broadcasting.

Jamil O'Quinn

Loyola Marymount University

Graduation Year: 2021

Category:
Development: Scripted Series

Company:
Valhalla Entertainment

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I was inspired to seek a career in television because from childhood I've experienced television's capacity to agitate and influence society both socially and culturally. My ultimate desire is to create and develop content that gives voice to communities that are systemically voiceless. The internship program with the Television Academy Foundation will further help my career goals by providing me with experiences that enhance my knowledge of the development process of scripted series, while concurrently broadening my community within the television industry.

Leah Robinson

Central Michigan University

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Unscripted

Company:
Lighthearted Entertainment

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
My inspiration for seeking a career in television blossomed with help from my high school journalism teacher as well as the amazing broadcasting program that they have at my university. I applied because the application was sent out through our entire degree program and I wanted to take my shot at it. The Television Academy will allow me to make valuable connections within the industry and I cannot wait to start my career.

Jamie Bigelow

Wayne State University

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Public Relations/Publicity

Company:
Beck Media and Marketing

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Television inspires me every day. It's always been a passion of mine to work in the entertainment industry, and TV is my main source of entertainment. I applied to the Television Academy Foundation's internship program in the public relations/publicity category because I want to expand my knowledge within this industry. I hope to learn more about the audience in Los Angeles as well as the clients at Beck Media and Marketing.

Carmen Lustik

New York University

Graduation Year: 2021

Category:
Music

Company:
Sparks and Shadows

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
My passion for screen scoring began like anyone's: with a little Hans Zimmer and a whole lot of tears. I quickly became inspired by the way a simple melodic or harmonic sequence could have such an emotional impact and reignite sentiments long after the movie or television episode concluded. I applied for the Television Academy Foundation internship program because it provides an amazing opportunity to work alongside top industry professionals and get hands-on experience navigating the technical, social, and logistical complexities of the industry that just can't be found in the classroom.

Andrew Briggs

Indiana University - Bloomington

Graduation Year: 2021

Category:
Program Planning & Scheduling

Company:
The CW

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Television is an incredibly unique yet underappreciated platform due to it always being available for consumption. Growing up as someone who watched, and still does watch, a lot of TV, I am inspired to create entertaining and meaningful shows and programs for TV viewers of all ages. I applied for the Television Academy Foundation's internship program because the Program Planning & Scheduling category immediately jumped out to me as something that I would be extremely interested in. I follow Nielsen TV ratings and have always been curious about what factors networks consider when renewing, cancelling, and scheduling shows. As a TV ratings enthusiast, it will be the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in this internship. The Television Academy Foundation's internship program will be a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself and learn a great deal about the business. I know it will be an extremely rewarding experience in helping me evaluate my multi-faceted career aspirations within the entertainment industry.

Callie Tucker

University of Cincinnati

Graduation Year: 2021

Category:
Unscripted Development

Company:
44 Blue Productions

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I have loved television my entire life but it took me a long time to realize that it was a career I could pursue. Once I discovered screenwriting I dove headfirst and began teaching myself before I started film school. I found the Television Academy Foundation's internship program and my family encouraged me to apply. The Television Academy Foundation's internship program will allow me to learn how television shows are developed from the moment they are pitched to when they air on tv. I'll get to see and assist in this process at a production company and strengthen my skills so that once I graduate I can pursue my career in Television confident in my training.

Evan Macedo

University of Southern California

Graduation Year: 2020

Category:
Agency

Company:
Allegory Creative Management

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I always knew I wanted to help make television, growing up watching shows like Drake and Josh, Monty Python, Avatar: The Last Airbender, etc. My internship advisor, knowing my goal to work for TV, told me about this summer internship program. Happily, I applied and got this amazing opportunity to learn from some of the industry's leading agents.

Priscilla Franklin

Virginia Commonwealth University

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Art Direction/Set Direction

Company:
James Pearse Connelly

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Dirty Jobs taught me to appreciate the impact of hardworking factory workers, fishers, and other common workers. Now it's my time to give back by using television to inform and influence others about social change and diverse cultures. I applied to this internship program to become a more skilled designer and leader. Being able to closely work with a design company will teach me how to problem solve under stress, imagine new concepts differently, and interact with professionals from all disciplines.

Jason Young

University of Michigan

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Scripted Series Development

Company:
FX

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I was inspired to seek a career in television because of its ability to connect with audiences through shared experiences and diverse representations. I applied to the Television Academy Foundation's internship program after a conversation with an advisor about my personal storytelling goal to learn the processes of television development. With this familiarity I hope to help others amplify their voices, creating room on-screen for new and often overlooked stories. I believe that this program has resources that will help me gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and connections to accomplish my career goals.

Tyanna Slack

Howard University

Graduation Year: 2020

Category:
Production - Commercials

Company:
Radical Media

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
Growing up in such a small town, I used television as an escape. I was able to see what the world could offer. I was able to dream bigger. Television was not simply entertainment — but a vision. As soon as I heard about the internship from my mentor, I knew I had to apply. The inspiration for applying to the program came from my drive to get the necessary guidance and experience to push my career forward. This internship is a great opportunity to work with very talented individuals, along with figuring out how the industry works firsthand.

Erin Cicchitti

DeSales University

Graduation Year: 2020

Category:
Editing (Reality)

Company:
Bunim/Murray Productions

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I suppose it was my parents who inspired me to seek a career in television; I always enjoyed making little videos when I was younger, but my parents helped me realize that I would be able to make a career out of what I loved. My boyfriend was the one who brought my attention to the Television Academy's internship foundation program. Once I saw all of the great companies I could work with, I knew I had to apply. The Television Academy will allow me to connect with working editors in the industry and broaden my network outside of my local area. I know that the connections I make will be invaluable and I can't thank the Academy enough for selecting me as an intern.

Sarah Arthur

Pepperdine University

Graduation Year: 2019

Category:
Production - Movies for Television

Company:
Lifetime Television

What or who inspired you to seek a career in television?
I have always been intrigued by the transformative nature of storytelling, and this is ultimately what inspired me to seek a career in television. As an Emma Bowen Foundation Fellow for the past four years, I have learned first hand the value of interning at a well-established company in the media industry, while simultaneously having a network of other interns and participating in career development opportunities. This motivated me to look for similar internship opportunities, and the Television Academy Foundation internship was the perfect fit. I am looking forward to utilizing The Television Academy’s resources to further my goal of creating a more inclusive television industry, and giving people of color a voice on the big screen.