Organization Website
thetrentonproject.com
purcellcarson.com
Internship Position
Documentary Film Co-Director
Maximum Number of Positions
2
ASAP Pathway
Professional Pathway
Supervising Mentor
Purcell Carson, Documentary Film Specialist, Princeton School for Public & International Affairs
Contact Email Address
Position Description
This year, seventh graders at the Hedgepeth-Williams Middle School in Trenton are working with Passages Theater Company to write, direct and stage a play based on a key moment in the city’s civil rights history. The Trenton Project, a Princeton-based film workshop that documents the fabric of the city of Trenton, has been following this process. We are looking for two student filmmakers to spearhead the creation of a short film. The ASAP interns will work with filmmaker Purcell Carson to shape the structure of the storytelling, research the story, choose the look and feel of the documentary, plan and film remaining scenes and interviews, and edit the final film. The film we undertake will document the students, the theatre professionals, and the process—from writing and researching, to rehearsal, set design and performance. Along the way, we will focus on themes of race, civil rights, education and urban history. The ASAP interns will work on public outreach and social media for the film and The Trenton Project more broadly. The project will be yours to lead, but you will have faculty support for access, filming, scheduling and production.
Skills You Will Need to Begin This Position
- Some Filmmaking Experience
- Interest in Observational Documentary
- Interest in Interviewing
- Interest in the Themes of the Project
Skills You Will Develop
- Documentary Film Production and Planning
- Historical Research
- Gaining Access to, and Conducting, Fieldwork
- Interview and Sound Recording
- Video Editing
- Planning Impact and Outreach Campaigns
- Social Media
Careers Related to This Internship
- Journalism
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Communications
- Historical Research
- Visual Arts
How to Apply
Submit the following materials to acarson@princeton.edu, using the subject "ASAP Internship Application":
- A cover letter tailored to this position
- A résumé
- A brief writing sample that best demonstrates your writing skills and ability to tell a story (this could be student journalism, a history paper, or creative writing)
You must also complete the ASAP Personal Information Form, and indicate there that you are applying to this internship.
Finalists should be available for a brief Zoom interview.