Internship!

May 4, 2007 12:49 PM

I have two weeks off work this summer and would like to go intern for Errol Morris, the film and tv commercial director. Any ideas on how I can make that happen?
posted by parmanparman to Grab Bag (12 answers total)

Best answer: You could start by getting in touch with Errol Morris & his people. Have a resume ready, and a great letter explaining why you want to work with him and what exactly you think you can bring to the table for a two week internship.

I'm not sure how this would work out, or if this kind of arrangement is at all typical, but it's worth a shot.
posted by dryad at 1:08 PM on May 4, 2007

Well, I'd start by preparing a really fabulous, stunning answer to the question of why you didn't spend several months preparing, introducing yourself, establishing your creditials and professionalism and perhaps going through the established application procedures rather than leaving it to the last, impuslive moment. As a potential interviewer/recruiter, that would be my very first question. It just sounds like you've asked "I'd like to go join NASA next week, where do I begin," or "I'm ready to be president, when can I start", albeit on a slightly - slightly -less grandiose theme.
posted by bunnycup at 1:10 PM on May 4, 2007 [4 favorites]

Perhaps it might help parmanparman find an answer if it's noted in this thread that he produces a rather good radio show (see his profile) and has been a broadcast journalist for the BBC. So perhaps more like a state assembly president or a lead engineer on a small team at Boeing asking bunnycup's questions ;)
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:15 PM on May 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

2 weeks? It usually takes that long to train someone and get oriented to the office and flow of things. I'd go with dryad's answer, but I wouldn't expect much.
posted by gramcracker at 1:19 PM on May 4, 2007

Yes and I see now that I could have determined that information by merely taking a moment out of my hectic snark schedule to check out his profile. I guess I have answered the question of "I'd like to be a socially inept outcast, what is Step 1?" for myself.

What about a nice letter with a few of your fave clips from your show, with a short "I especially respect your work because of ... and thought you might find my ... interesting as well." And take it from there?
posted by bunnycup at 1:22 PM on May 4, 2007

I've got an idea. This is like advice to myself. Well, ok, let me back up. First of all, let me say that I had an opportunity to work for Errol Morris in LA. I live in Ohio, and it was a long shot, and things are going well here, so I said no. Now, Errol Morris is my favorite filmmaker. I went to film school and would love to make films of my own. I'd like to make them like Errol Morris makes them. Is that what you want? Or do you just want to hang out around Errol Morris? If you want to hang out with Errol Morris, then maybe there's a chance you could be a PA on one of his shoots, or be an intern in the office, or something. But he's not going to let you into his inner circle and show you all the ropes of how to be an amazing filmmaker for two weeks because you think he's a groovy guy. So, if your idea is to be mentored by Errol Morris, if you want to become a filmmaker like Errol Morris, then spend your two weeks and make an Errol Morris-esque documentary. It can be short. Just make one. Submit it to festivals. Make another documentary. Write to Errol Morris and tell him that you're interested in making films. Tell him that you've made some yourself. You want to get better, and he's the best there is. Even though your films get into festivals, and win awards, you still have a lot to learn. And you want to learn from him. In fact, you have a few weeks this summer, and would love to be able to work with him, as a PA or as an assistant or whatever! Anything, because he's so awesome! And then, maybe, he'll want you to come work for him. And he'll have respect for you, because you did it like he did it - without knowing anyone, just getting a crew together and finding an interesting topic and making a documentary. I mean, definitely go ahead and try to contact him, just don't be discouraged if he doesn't want you to work for/with him because there are probably lots of people with your same idea and, as was already mentioned, it's pretty short notice. Make yourself stand out, make some documentaries, and next year when you have two weeks off try to get in touch with him again and say "since the last time I contacted you I've made a short documentary on [insert interesting colloquial occurence/person] and it was accepted at so-and-so festival and was wondering if there was anyway I could work with you on such and such project this summer etc." It's not guaranteed, but it's the kind of thing that I bet Errol Morris would respond to well.
posted by billysumday at 2:05 PM on May 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

actually, i had this exact thought last summer (but for a longer time). i found that his people were kinda protective over him... they/he weren't particularly excited by the prospect. the idea kinda died on the drawing board -- but you may be more persistent.

i think you could spend the 2 weeks doing something else that will teach you a lot. we could brainstorm ideas.
posted by prophetsearcher at 3:19 PM on May 4, 2007

There are a couple of problems with this plan, parmanparman. The first one is that Errol Morris isn't just a great at what he does; he's everyone's favorite living documentarian. He's a brand name. He probably has a staff member who handles all internships. That person was probably inundated with resumes for summer positions four months ago. At this point, it's not unlike showing up at the Harvard admission offices to suggest they admit you as a student this fall. It's not going to happen unless your last name is Bush or Gore or Rockefeller.

The other problem no one needs an intern for two weeks. (Additionally, in some states, it's illegal to have an unpaid intern without that person receiving school credit.)

My advice? Pick out a few slightly less-famous filmmakers, find out everything you can about them, and send kick-ass letters that will get you in the door. Use the "two weeks" angle to your advantage: say you're taking time off to consider switching careers. Cast a wide enough net, and I bet you can find someone who's willing to give you a chance. Which will look great on your resume when you target Errol Morris in the future.
posted by roger ackroyd at 3:25 PM on May 4, 2007

I heard about this place (University of Dreams) on Marketplace yesterday, coincidentally enough. It costs money, but some folks seem to think it is worth it to intern for big name people and places.

Here is the Marketplace piece.
posted by terrapin at 3:42 PM on May 4, 2007

Best answer: I don't really understand why so many answers here are negative. Just get in touch with his people, say you'll be local from this date to that date, that you'd like to work for free on whatever they have, and list your relevant skills. On most documentaries, relevant skills include research, organization/archiving, tape-logging, errand-running, etc.

If they're busy enough, they'll have you come by and you'll be filing old cue sheets in no time. Or maybe they have a full roster already, but it's still worth getting in touch, because interns get fired all the time.
posted by xo at 4:01 PM on May 4, 2007

Best answer: His listing on wikipedia says that he tried "to get accepted at different graduate schools just by showing up on their doorstep." So maybe taking the same approach with the internship would score you some points with him.
posted by jtfowl0 at 7:37 PM on May 4, 2007

Response by poster: Well, I sent a vinyl record of Phillip Glass to his agent. But, I haven't heard back yet. I'll keep you all informed.
posted by parmanparman at 8:02 AM on May 17, 2007