News
FSM Summer Interns: On a Path to Success
August 17, 2010
FSM Interns with Director Michael Bay on the set of Transformers 3
Free Spirit Media expanded our summer internship program in 2010 to offer twelve of our most advanced youth a big step in the right direction. With generous support from After School Matters, the City of Chicago, the Joyce Foundation, Paramount Pictures, and FSM’s media industry partners, our interns gained invaluable experience in the professional media world.
Free Spirit Media paired highly trained youth with industry partners around the city of Chicago. Four interns were placed in post production houses at Cutters, Red Car, Hootenanny and Optimus. Two others were involved in production at Big Shoulders and Towers Productions. One intern was placed in the web department at ABC7, and three additional interns were placed on an FSM Special Projects team, creating a documentary about the ARRA. Each Friday, Free Spirit Media staff gathered the interns to practice valuable professional skills, including public speaking, professionalism, and writing of resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.
These ten FSM interns plus two FSM alums also worked on the set of Transformers 3 while it was filming in Chicago. Our youth worked in key departments, including production, camera, grip, hair and makeup, wardrobe, locations, and publicity. One lucky intern operated a camera gathering footage for the film’s behind-the-scenes DVD release.
J’mme Love worked hard as an intern, often coming in early and staying late, which paid off when he was asked to extend his time on the film. “The biggest thing I learned is how much work goes into a production. It prepared me for life. It showed me that it’s not just work you have to be on time for. It taught me discipline and organization skills,” says J’mme who in addition to Transformers 3 had an incredible experience interning with Big Shoulders Productions.
Many of the interns formed close relationships with their supervisors, who were impressed with their drive and achievement. Jason Nebergall from Cutters said that his intern, Michelle Bradley, a 3-year FSM participant and senior at Collins Academy, was “extremely well prepared for this experience. I have done this many times before with college level interns and it has never gone so well.”
Marian Oliver of Red Car said her intern Joshua Jackson, an FSM News participant and 2010 graduate from Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville, was “one of the best interns we have ever had…he is intuitive and great.” Through connections he formed at Red Car, Joshua was able to join the television station at Southern Illinois University where he started as a freshman this fall.
While summer is over, the interns are still climbing their way to success. Some are seniors in high school beginning the college application process while others recently started their first semester of college. J’mme Love has been working on commercial shoots with another media partner, 59 Films.
The momentum gained from this summer is pushing these young people to reach for more opportunities with more confidence and insight. They are also helping FSM to build this awesome internship opportunity for more deserving youth.
