Monday, November 19, 2012

Five students from the Film Studies Department at UNCW would like to thank the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for a grant that helped them cover the cost of their internships in Los Angeles, which they completed this past summer.

Olivia Simmons, Brandon Thompson, Ed Miranda-Lopez, Sheena Vaught and Seth Rodriguez each received $1,000 to assist with the cost of travel and living expenses while they were in L.A. 

“The department and the university are very grateful to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for providing funds that made possible an invaluable educational and experiential opportunity to young filmmakers and scholars that otherwise might never have had a chance to gain skills and connections they can take into their post-baccalaureate careers,” said Dave Monahan, film studies chair.

Simmons spent the summer interning for Revelations Entertainment, which is Morgan Freeman’s production company. Thompson and Vaught interned for Bill Duke’s company, Duke Media. Miranda-Lopez interned for Zane Pillsbury Casting, and Rodriguez spent the summer interning for Voltage Pictures.

"All of these students took a big leap of faith and made a significant investment of time and money in this experience,” Monahan added. “Film Studies couldn't be more proud to have these talented young people represent our program in the filmmaking capitol of the world.”

By UNCW senior Maeghan O’Brien, an intern in the Office of University Relations

Media Contact: Andrea Weaver, Office of University Relations, weavera@uncw.edu or 910-962-7631.