My time in UNC’s Hollywood Internship Program was instrumental in my career as a filmmaker. It allowed me access to “behind the scenes” of how films were developed, gave me the opportunity to form relationships in the industry that I will hold to this day, and opened my eyes to what was possible in the entertainment industry.

I was placed with ORIGINAL FILM, run by Neil Mortiz, and I was responsible for covering scripts and stocking soda machines, copiers and refrigerators. Thinking back, it is wild to imagine that I was the first person who got to read many scripts that came through to the company and I, a 21-year-old senior in college, was potentially responsible for helping or hindering a writer’s career based on my recommendation (or not) of the script. Yikes.

It was during my internship at ORIGINAL FILM that I was introduced to the first “working” stuntman I had ever met and his words helped crystalize my path – “If you can think of ANYTHING else you can do with your life, anything at all, do it. This business is harsh and it can chew you up and spit you out before breakfast. But, if this is what you truly want to do, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.” I couldn’t think of anything else I loved doing as much as being involved in making films, so I stayed. 18 years later and I have just finished directing my 2nd feature action film for NETFLIX, after a long career in stunts, stunt coordinating and action directing.

I am thankful for the opportunities provided to me by my time spent in the Hollywood Internship program. It started me down a path that last year led me back to Neil Moritz and his film company. Only this time, I was talking about directing his next film, rather than stocking the fridge.“

I was part of the UNC Hollywood Internship class of 2007. The experience was invaluable to me. Not only did it provide the impetus for moving to Los Angeles; it placed me in an internship that directly led to my employment, and eventual success in the entertainment industry. I was placed at Beacon Pictures, a production company with a long track record of studio feature films. While an intern, I was hired to be a runner for the company on a temporary basis – essentially doing professional tasks and errands for the executives. One of the executives, their head of television, Laurie Zaks, then asked if I wished to be her assistant. I accepted and she immediately proceeded to shoot two pilots, one of which went on to become the hit series CASTLE. I worked with her as an assistant and creative executive for 4 years, at which point I left to produce my first feature film. I have been a self-sufficient and successful independent producer since that time. That internship, and particularly, the mentorship and encouragement of Laurie Zaks, led me to my current career path.”

Moving to a new city can be very daunting, but thankfully because of the Hollywood Internship Program, you aren’t doing it alone. I believe my class had roughly 10-15 people and together with those people, you’re learning about the industry through in-person meet and greets Paul Edwards set up.

Additionally, for me at least, I was living with 3 other graduates and we were not only “hitting the pavement” together to find work, but were also exploring this new city together. It created this bond with my fellow graduating class that I still value highly to this day.

A fellow Tarheel set up a meeting with a graduate that worked at Marvel who graduated a few years prior. We met for lunch which led to an interview which led to my first industry job… at Marvel, nonetheless. I was beyond thrilled and excited! I could not have been more lucky and blessed.

That feeling… that only was possible because the HIP program existed. Since joining the UNC Hollywood network through HIP has introduced me to so many exciting contacts whom I otherwise wouldn’t have met.
Without the Hollywood Internship Program I do not think I would be where I am today nor would I be surrounded by the amazing community I have in Los Angeles.”

I spent my entire childhood and early adult life dreaming of working in the entertainment industry and couldn’t imagine being anywhere but Hollywood after I graduated from college. When I realized that there was an internship program through the Communications Department, it was a no-brainer that I apply. I was so excited when I landed a spot in the program and it really lived up to my expectations.

My initial desire to be on the “business end” of the industry placed me in the Sourcing department at NBC. Essentially, we secured exclusive suppliers for the various needs of all of NBC’s shows. It happened to be the Summer that NBC and Universal were considering merging and I actually helped create quite a few reports that were used to assess the effectiveness of the potential merger. While it was pretty exciting work for someone fresh out of college, I was in Hollywood! I didn’t want to be in a cubicle…I wanted to be on a set!

Through the work I put in and the contacts I had made through the HIP, I landed my first job on the set of a reality show. It still wasn’t quite where I was hoping to be, but I learned so much in the time I worked in unscripted. With some shows on my resume and once again with the help of HIP contacts, I was then able to move over to scripted series and have been working there ever since.

The HIP program was instrumental in helping me progress through every step of my early career. Without the knowledge and contacts that I gained through the program, I wouldn’t be where I am today… and I might not even have been able to have a successful career in the entertainment industry. For Tar Heel students with the same dreams I had, this program is an absolute must!”