Focus Features

Focus Features, part of NBC Universal, is a singular global company dedicated to producing, acquiring, financing, selling, and distributing original and daring films from emerging and established filmmakers – films that challenge mainstream moviegoers to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world. The company operates as Focus Features domestically, and as Focus Features International overseas.

Focus Features is offering paid internships in a variety of different departments in both its Los Angeles and New York offices. These internships are open to students pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university, (please scroll down for complete list of requirements).

Candidates may apply for positions within the departments listed below. When applying for an Internship, please include which department or departments you are most interested in. 

Internships – Departments and Key Responsibilities;

Creative Advertising A/V 
Interns in the creative advertising area of the Marketing department will be exposed to the post-production of the theatrical, television and online marketing materials that are distributed by Focus Features. The candidate will gain a basic understanding of the motion picture advertising finishing process as it relates to trailers, TV spots, post-production, etc. Interns will get the chance to work on research projects and participate in departmental staff meetings, as appropriate.

Development
Development Interns will handle such creative tasks as reading scripts, providing critical analysis, watching reels and directing samples, writing comments and compiling research for development executives.  The internship will also involve covering phones, copying and scanning scripts, filing and various office duties.  Interns will learn the practices and processes of studio development and production, and will be hands-on in both creative and administrative tasks.

Alternative Content (New York Only)
An internship with the Director, Alternative Content and Distribution, would expose the student to working with cross-departmental initiatives that appeal to the company’s audiences on new and innovative platforms. Through various projects, Interns will learn how to curate program offerings on digital platforms like iTunes and video on demand. Additional projects will cover tracking added-value content from brainstorm to production, screening new movies with these initiatives in mind, helping to create marketing and publicity materials and prepare films for release on digital platforms.

Distribution
Distribution Interns will learn about domestic film distribution and exhibition.  Duties include web-ordering trailers and promotional items, responding to exhibitor requests, calling theatres, and completing research projects.  Administrative duties include maintaining databases and competitive release calendars, answering phones, and filing.

Executive (New York only)
Executive Office Interns gain exposure to all aspects of Focus Features business by assisting the company’s CEO and/or President and their support staff with a range of duties and responsibilities.  The intern is responsible for performing many administrative duties; answering phones, photocopying, maintaining submissions and dailies logs, assembling expense reports, etc.  In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to read scripts, to coordinate specific projects, and to get firsthand exposure to the day-to-day routine of running a worldwide film production and distribution company.

International Business Affairs (New York only)
International Business Affairs interns will learn about drafting and negotiating international distribution agreements, as well as the attendant legal documents and issues associated with such deals. This internship involves basic administrative tasks such as filing, copying and scanning, as well as some contract summary and other research projects. Prospective interns should have an interest in learning about transactional law; law students are preferable.

International Servicing (New York only)
International Servicing interns will gain unique experience learning about the industry through working with various departments such as Post-Production, Finance, Distribution, and Sales. The Servicing department is responsible for coordinating foreign releases for all Focus Features and Focus Features International titles. Interns will have the opportunity to sit in on departmental meetings and attend screenings of international films. Candidates must be detail-oriented, proficient in Microsoft Excel, and have an interest in the international film marketplace. Additional tasks include financial invoicing, organizing film materials, maintaining databases, and general administrative tasks.

Marketing
Marketing Interns will gain exposure to all aspects of the creative and business sides of the fast-paced, creatively dynamic domestic marketing department.  This department is responsible for all creative advertsing, media planning and buying, digital outreach, promotional tie-ins, research and company branding initiatives. Intern duties include, but are not limited to ,  individual film project brainstorming, script reading, positioning document creation, research projects, data entry, maintenance of project books, and other general administrative tasks. Interns are encouraged to participate in the creative process while also assisting in the strategic execution.

Music/Business Affairs (New York Only)
Interns in the Music/Business Affairs department learn about the soundtrack process, music supervision, composer selection, music licensing, music publishing and how they relate to film production and marketing. Interns in this department are responsible for processing music licenses, filing, scanning, copying, and various research and database projects.  Candidates should be interested in film music both creatively and from a business standpoint.

Operations
Operations Interns lead such companywide initiatives as the Reverse Intern Seminar and Focus Green. Focus Green is a group of socially conscious employees and interns from Focus Features and Focus Features International’s global offices who brainstorm and implement practical ideas for “greening” our lives. The Reverse Intern Seminar is an opportunity for interns to make a presentation to Focus executives on a timely topic; e.g., What is the Focus brand and how can we further that brand with the college audience?; What gets moviegoers in their seats?; Designing a marketing strategy and campaign on one of our upcoming releases, et al. This presentation allows interns to have an audience with Focus’ most senior executives and can shape careers as well as Focus strategy. In addition, Operations Interns work directly with the Vice President of Global Operations, Office Coordinators, and IT Directors on special projects, administrative duties, and technology-related projects.

Physical Production (Los Angeles Only)
Interns assist the Physical Production staff with the managerial and organizational processes of making a feature film.  Daily tasks include maintaining the talent database, filing of production documents, records organization, and general administrative tasks. Applicants should have an interest in the “nuts and bolts” of filmmaking.

Post-Production
Post-Production Interns will learn about the field’s technology and logistics.  Duties include script analysis, basic editing (Final Cut Pro), and compiling research for executives.  Additional tasks include covering incoming telephone calls, updating department databases, scanning, and filing.

Publicity
Publicity Interns in the busy, fast-paced domestic publicity department will have duties including “breaking” daily press clippings, monitoring Internet coverage, managing and organizing a periodicals library, pitching promotional partners, and overseeing research projects. Candidates should be detail-oriented, motivated, hard-working, and have a desire to learn.

Internships Requirements;

Intern candidates must be at least a sophomore in class standing (30 credits and above), have at least a 3.0 GPA average, be currently attending an accredited college or university, working towards a degree, and legally authorized to participate in a paid internship in the U.S.  Intern candidates must commit to a minimum of two full days per week. 

Focus Features Intern candidates should show initiative and be open to learning. Candidates must be computer-literate, and have in place a reliable way to commute to and from the office. All candidates will need to work well in a professional office environment, and be passionate about movies.FALL SUBMISSION PERIOD:         July 1st through August 31st

SPRING SUBMISSION PERIOD:   October 1st through December 15th
SUMMER SUBMISSION PERIOD: February 1st through April 15th

Applications received outside the submission periods will not be reviewed.

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume, specifying the Department that you’re interested in Interning within the subject line, to:

NY.Internships@focusfeatures.com
LA.Internships@focusfeatures.com

You can also apply at http://www.nbcunicareers.com/internships/coasts.shtml

Focus Features, part of NBC Universal, is a singular global company dedicated to producing, acquiring, financing, selling, and distributing original and daring films from emerging and established filmmakers – films that challenge mainstream moviegoers to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world. The company operates as Focus Features domestically, and as Focus Features International overseas.

Focus Features is offering paid internships in a variety of different departments in both its Los Angeles and New York offices. These internships are open to students pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university, (please scroll down for complete list of requirements).

Candidates may apply for positions within the departments listed below. When applying for an Internship, please include which department or departments you are most interested in. 

Internships – Departments and Key Responsibilities;

Creative Advertising A/V 
Interns in the creative advertising area of the Marketing department will be exposed to the post-production of the theatrical, television and online marketing materials that are distributed by Focus Features. The candidate will gain a basic understanding of the motion picture advertising finishing process as it relates to trailers, TV spots, post-production, etc. Interns will get the chance to work on research projects and participate in departmental staff meetings, as appropriate.

Development
Development Interns will handle such creative tasks as reading scripts, providing critical analysis, watching reels and directing samples, writing comments and compiling research for development executives.  The internship will also involve covering phones, copying and scanning scripts, filing and various office duties.  Interns will learn the practices and processes of studio development and production, and will be hands-on in both creative and administrative tasks.

Alternative Content (New York Only)
An internship with the Director, Alternative Content and Distribution, would expose the student to working with cross-departmental initiatives that appeal to the company’s audiences on new and innovative platforms. Through various projects, Interns will learn how to curate program offerings on digital platforms like iTunes and video on demand. Additional projects will cover tracking added-value content from brainstorm to production, screening new movies with these initiatives in mind, helping to create marketing and publicity materials and prepare films for release on digital platforms.

Distribution
Distribution Interns will learn about domestic film distribution and exhibition.  Duties include web-ordering trailers and promotional items, responding to exhibitor requests, calling theatres, and completing research projects.  Administrative duties include maintaining databases and competitive release calendars, answering phones, and filing.

Executive (New York only)
Executive Office Interns gain exposure to all aspects of Focus Features business by assisting the company’s CEO and/or President and their support staff with a range of duties and responsibilities.  The intern is responsible for performing many administrative duties; answering phones, photocopying, maintaining submissions and dailies logs, assembling expense reports, etc.  In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to read scripts, to coordinate specific projects, and to get firsthand exposure to the day-to-day routine of running a worldwide film production and distribution company.

International Business Affairs (New York only)
International Business Affairs interns will learn about drafting and negotiating international distribution agreements, as well as the attendant legal documents and issues associated with such deals. This internship involves basic administrative tasks such as filing, copying and scanning, as well as some contract summary and other research projects. Prospective interns should have an interest in learning about transactional law; law students are preferable.

International Servicing (New York only)
International Servicing interns will gain unique experience learning about the industry through working with various departments such as Post-Production, Finance, Distribution, and Sales. The Servicing department is responsible for coordinating foreign releases for all Focus Features and Focus Features International titles. Interns will have the opportunity to sit in on departmental meetings and attend screenings of international films. Candidates must be detail-oriented, proficient in Microsoft Excel, and have an interest in the international film marketplace. Additional tasks include financial invoicing, organizing film materials, maintaining databases, and general administrative tasks.

Marketing
Marketing Interns will gain exposure to all aspects of the creative and business sides of the fast-paced, creatively dynamic domestic marketing department.  This department is responsible for all creative advertsing, media planning and buying, digital outreach, promotional tie-ins, research and company branding initiatives. Intern duties include, but are not limited to ,  individual film project brainstorming, script reading, positioning document creation, research projects, data entry, maintenance of project books, and other general administrative tasks. Interns are encouraged to participate in the creative process while also assisting in the strategic execution.

Music/Business Affairs (New York Only)
Interns in the Music/Business Affairs department learn about the soundtrack process, music supervision, composer selection, music licensing, music publishing and how they relate to film production and marketing. Interns in this department are responsible for processing music licenses, filing, scanning, copying, and various research and database projects.  Candidates should be interested in film music both creatively and from a business standpoint.

Operations
Operations Interns lead such companywide initiatives as the Reverse Intern Seminar and Focus Green. Focus Green is a group of socially conscious employees and interns from Focus Features and Focus Features International’s global offices who brainstorm and implement practical ideas for “greening” our lives. The Reverse Intern Seminar is an opportunity for interns to make a presentation to Focus executives on a timely topic; e.g., What is the Focus brand and how can we further that brand with the college audience?; What gets moviegoers in their seats?; Designing a marketing strategy and campaign on one of our upcoming releases, et al. This presentation allows interns to have an audience with Focus’ most senior executives and can shape careers as well as Focus strategy. In addition, Operations Interns work directly with the Vice President of Global Operations, Office Coordinators, and IT Directors on special projects, administrative duties, and technology-related projects.

Physical Production (Los Angeles Only)
Interns assist the Physical Production staff with the managerial and organizational processes of making a feature film.  Daily tasks include maintaining the talent database, filing of production documents, records organization, and general administrative tasks. Applicants should have an interest in the “nuts and bolts” of filmmaking.

Post-Production
Post-Production Interns will learn about the field’s technology and logistics.  Duties include script analysis, basic editing (Final Cut Pro), and compiling research for executives.  Additional tasks include covering incoming telephone calls, updating department databases, scanning, and filing.

Publicity
Publicity Interns in the busy, fast-paced domestic publicity department will have duties including “breaking” daily press clippings, monitoring Internet coverage, managing and organizing a periodicals library, pitching promotional partners, and overseeing research projects. Candidates should be detail-oriented, motivated, hard-working, and have a desire to learn.

Internships Requirements;

Intern candidates must be at least a sophomore in class standing (30 credits and above), have at least a 3.0 GPA average, be currently attending an accredited college or university, working towards a degree, and legally authorized to participate in a paid internship in the U.S.  Intern candidates must commit to a minimum of two full days per week. 

Focus Features Intern candidates should show initiative and be open to learning. Candidates must be computer-literate, and have in place a reliable way to commute to and from the office. All candidates will need to work well in a professional office environment, and be passionate about movies.FALL SUBMISSION PERIOD:         July 1st through August 31st

SPRING SUBMISSION PERIOD:   October 1st through December 15th
SUMMER SUBMISSION PERIOD: February 1st through April 15th

Applications received outside the submission periods will not be reviewed.

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume, specifying the Department that you’re interested in Interning within the subject line, to:

NY.Internships@focusfeatures.com
LA.Internships@focusfeatures.com

You can also apply at http://www.nbcunicareers.com/internships/coasts.shtml