Inside Internships: Star Cinema

Several Enderun students tell Ink about their internship experiences. Jodee Verdejo and Phoebe Punla interview Camille Barba, Jessa Jastrzemski, Lisa and Sasha Zakharka, Nitesh Dolwani, Rafael Valdez, and Lora Ledesma to know what life is like as interns.

Lora Ledesma, a BS Entrepreneurship student, who took her internship at Star Cinema, Philippines, summarized the entire program as interesting and substantial. She worked as a Production Assistant at the team’s Production Department, making a local horror movie entitled, Segunda Mano. It was an official entry to the Manila Film Festival 2011.

As a production assistant, her task was to provide all the necessary equipment, manpower, and utilities needed for the production of the film project. She said, “It provides me with a good understanding of the Philippine movie industry, as I am immersed and involved in making a movie from pre-production to post-production.”

“My internship showed me just how tough my line of intended work would be.” By having the opportunity to research on the industry and to know her future clientele first hand, she says the long work hours will not come as a surprise. Like other students who had taken their internship, Lora also saw hers as an eye-opener.

It has taught her how much love and patience she needs to have towards movie-making to survive working and living up to the demands of this local industry.

Lora said that her advantage is that Enderun permits her to get deeply involved with the industry that she wants to start a business in. “They understand the passion, knowledge, and experience entrepreneurs need to be successful at a business. It is through the internship that one gains the experience where one can confirm the passion for the line of work they intend to be in, to have access to or even become, the primary source of knowledge on the process, systems, and culture of the industry.”

For those who are about to take their first internship, here are Lora’s tips, “One: Humble yourself. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom of the ranks. You’ll learn. Two: Always be sincere and good natured to people. Each one of them is there to help you grow even those who are determined to get you down. Be strong. You’ll learn.”