91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ

Thank you so much to the Arts Student Employment Fund (ASEF), for making this opportunity possible. Without your generous support, I would not have been able to pursue this internship. Because internships in New York require either academic credit or compensation, your funding made it possible for me to participate and gain valuable professional experience. Last year, when I interned in public relations, I actually lost money due to the high costs of commuting and food. This summer, thanks to your support, I was able to fully commit to my work and invest myself in meaningful projects without that financial stress.

My name is Jade Herz, and I am from Westchester, New York. I am entering my third year at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ as a Cultural Studies major with minors in World Cinemas and Religion. I am deeply interested in film production, both fiction and documentary. Documentary work, in particular, excites me because it combines philosophical questioning with the authenticity of real human stories. These interests also connect with my studies in religion. In Montreal, I have worked with Apartment 11 Productions, contributed to student films, and served as a producer at TVM. This internship gave me the chance to expand those experiences into the professional film world.

I chose this internship because it provided hands-on experience with the production process and gave me exposure to both the creative and technical sides of filmmaking. From handling camera equipment to learning about pre-production planning and post-production editing, I was immersed in every stage. At 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, my coursework is highly analytical, and I had sometimes felt that creative outlets were limited. This internship allowed me to engage in the creative process directly, working closely with a small team where collaboration and learning were constant. I valued being able to pitch stories, research subjects, and think about how to encapsulate narratives for both audiences and funders.

I interned with Quixotic Endeavors, a New York–based production company specializing in documentary and narrative film. As an intern, I supported both production and development tasks. On set, I organized meals, managed equipment transportation, assisted with lighting, and supported both crew and cast. For one project, I worked on a documentary filmed at Warwick High School, exploring a 1980s football team’s championship and its lasting impact on the community. I reviewed hours of interviews and identified potential storylines that could transform the material from a local record into a broader narrative about memory, identity, and small-town life.

I also assisted on a documentary about comedians who began their careers at New York’s Comedy Cellar, supporting interviews with figures such as Marc Maron, Amy Schumer, and Michael Che. My work involved media research, assisting during shoots, and helping ensure smooth production flow. Additional responsibilities included research and development for a potential documentary on Marilyn Monroe, licensing research and clip preparation for a Bitcoin documentary, and media management tasks such as updating the company’s website to promote upcoming releases, including Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words, which will premiere on HBO Max this fall.

My independent film work and involvement in 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s production club gave me practical experience in group dynamics and equipment use. At the same time, courses like Media and Culture and Poetics of the Image trained me to think critically about narrative construction, symbolism, and the power of images. My art history coursework, particularly on the evolution of modern art movements, helped me see connections between artistic experimentation and the diversity of stories represented in documentary film.

One of the highlights of my internship was the mentorship I received. The founder of the company encouraged me to pitch story ideas and genuinely valued my contributions. Working closely with the head photographer gave me a new understanding of freelance production and how industry challenges such as the recent writers’ strike affect creative work. I also greatly appreciated the guidance of my mentor Anne, who helped me think critically about film, politics, and society. She encouraged me to take initiative and provided space for me to pursue specific skills I wanted to develop.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the legal and technical aspects of film production. For example, I had never signed a non-disclosure agreement before, and the responsibility of handling confidential information initially intimidated me. I also had to quickly learn about licensing and rights management, which required communicating with news networks and understanding what materials could or could not be shared. Additionally, updating the company’s website pushed me outside of my technical comfort zone, but these challenges ultimately gave me confidence in areas I had not previously explored.

This internship has had a lasting impact on me. It deepened my interest in documentary work and provided me with the creative and practical skills needed to pursue future projects. It has also shaped my career goals by reinforcing my desire to work at the intersection of storytelling, production, and social inquiry. I am very grateful for the financial support that allowed me to pursue this opportunity, and would like to sincerely thank the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) for making this experience possible.