The Redprint
Phone Script
The person who answers the phone will probably be a receptionist (although at a smaller company, it may be an intern or junior assistant). To help them direct your call, simply tell them: “I’m an Ohio State film major interested in a summer internship. Can you connect me to your internship coordinator?”
If the coordinator isn’t there, ask for an email address, or leave a message. Be prepared to call back multiple times (give them a few days to respond, not more). Be persistent but not rude or aggressive.
When you make contact with the internship coordinator, tell them that you’re an Ohio State film student looking for a summer internship and ask them for:
(1) A list of internship positions they have available.
(2) Any key skills they’re interested in.
(3) A list of materials you will need to send with your application.
(4) An email address to send your application to.
(5) A rough time-line for the process.
Be professional and prepared on the phone. Thank them graciously and don’t waste their time.
Application Materials
Use the models for the cover letter and CV provided. Be positive, professional, and to the point.
Add a few dashes of personality (so they remember you), but don’t talk about yourself or your own personal dreams—talk about how you admire their company and how your specific skills and life experiences can benefit them.
Make it clear that you’ve thought about their creative model and are making that (and not your own career) the priority.
Send off your application well before the deadline.
If you don’t receive a confirmation email, follow up to make sure it’s been received, and check about their timeline for making a decision.
If you haven’t heard anything from them in a while, email them back and tell them that you’ve been offered other opportunities for the summer (even if you haven’t), but that you’d like to know about their internship before you decide where to commit yourself.
Phone Interview
If you get a phone interview, follow the blueprint of your cover letter. Be positive, professional, and to the point.
Make their company the focus of the conversation. Do your research and tell them specific things that you admire about their company, the more specific, the better. This is flattery, but it also shows them that you will be a committed and enthusiastic employee.
Talk about specific projects or jobs or coursework you’ve done that prepares you to help their company. Activities that show your leadership, initiative, and self-direction are ideal.
If they ask about your long-term goals, don’t mention that you want to be a Hollywood director or a Hollywood writer (or even worse, an actor). Tell them that you want to get a job in whatever that company does (usually some branch of development or production).
As much as possible, ask them questions about what they need and how you could help.
Stress that you are a quick learner, excited for challenges, and prepared to do menial tasks, because you know that big dreams take a lot of small grind.
And since you’re going to be the only person applying from Ohio, remind them that Ohio is the most representative state in the U.S., the true middle America. Ohio is the target demographic that Hollywood wants to reach, so no other intern will have the pulse of the people like you do.
Finally, remember that at every stage of this process, you’re representing The Ohio State University. Don’t forget all the past students who sacrificed to make this university great, or all the future ones who are looking to you as the keepers of its legacy. Conduct yourself at all times with energy and integrity, reflecting the spirit of Ohio to the world.