[NFL FILMS] Fall Internship Program

Winner of over 135 Emmy Awards, NFL Films is widely recognized as the most honored filmmaker in sports and is credited with revolutionizing the way America watches football and sports in general. Each year, NFL Films produces more than 600 hours of new NFL programming for NFL Network, ESPN, HBO, Showtime, all major broadcast, and numerous cable networks, NFL.com, and content-streaming platforms. Additionally, NFL Films provides audio/visual and engineering support for other divisions of the NFL.

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The NFL Films Internship Program is a paid opportunity.  Participants in the program have the opportunity to experience one of the most unique learning environments in the television and film industries. The NFL Films Internship Program is known for offering an applied approach to learning.  Our award-winning staff is willing to assist and mentor individuals with a serious desire to further their studies and achieve their career goals. Incorporated into the internship program are seminars that cover topics such as navigating the unique employment landscape in this industry, the importance of networking, freelancing, and Q-&-A sessions with executives and former interns. Additionally, we provide time for interns to observe and experience all phases of our operations in film and video production.

The NFL Films Internship Program is not a rotational experience.  Interns are assigned to (1) department for the duration of their internship.  There are several departments within NFL Films that offer internship opportunities. A description of each position can be found below. We will assign an intern in one position based on their stated interest, course of study, experience, and career path. 

REQUIREMENTS

The 2024 NFL Films Fall Internship program is Monday, August 26th (2024)– Friday, February 14th (2025). Applicants must be available for the duration of the internship session, Monday through Friday (40 hours/week).

EDUCATION

This internship is open to undergraduates at the junior or senior level currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, current Master’s student’s and recent college graduates (less than 1-year from their graduation date at the scheduled start of the internship session). Students must have minimum GPA of at least 3.0. 

ACADEMIC CREDIT

Students may participate in the NFL Films Internship Program for academic credit. However, receipt of academic credit is entirely dependent upon the policies of the university and is the responsibility of the student. Participants will be paid during the internship regardless of whether academic credit is received.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Creative & Technical Positions:

  • CREATIVE PRODUCING

    • Creative Storytelling & Editing; Office-Based; Long-Form Content Creation

      • This position is within the Producers Department and is appropriate for individuals interested in a career as a storyteller, creative editor, or in a creative Producing role involving the content of a show. Interns in this department will work with our Emmy Award-winning Producers and learn all aspects of the NFL Films-style of storytelling.  This position is best for students focused on long-form, documentary-style storytelling in sports. This position is not structured as a pathway to on-air opportunities, news reporting, or sideline reporting. Producers at NFL Films are responsible for the content of the entire production: from conception of the story, including researching storylines and footage, to directing interviews and shoots, editing, scripting narration, and through to the final edit. Creative Producing interns will have the opportunity to learn from those Producers and contribute to our high-profile programming. Responsibilities will vary depending upon assignment and may include researching the history of a player, team, or story; light editing; logging interviews, game footage, and radio calls; and on-location and in-house shoots. Preference is given to individuals with an understanding of editing software and an interest in telling creative football stories through video.

 

  • CREATIVE PRODUCING: SOCIAL MEDIA

    • Creative; Office-Based; Video Editing; Analytics

      • This position is within the Producers Department and is appropriate for individuals interested in a creative career in video editing, storytelling, and Social Media brand management. Interns in this role will assist with the day-to-day operations of NFL Films’ social media channels. The Social Media team is responsible for promoting weekly shows, making creative use of archival footage, and crafting new video content to enforce the NFL Films brand, going beyond the use of graphics-based and photo-based content. The intern will learn how to tell a story with a quick video runtime and limited wordcount, while capturing the audience’s attention, and documenting and interpreting analytics to curate future content. The intern will assist with tracking the growth of each platform and finding new, creative ways to be in the conversation of news, pop culture, and football. This role requires candidates to have experience with editing software such as Premiere and Avid (outside of in-app video editing experience). Candidates should have a desire to keep up with the dynamic pace of social media. Fluency across multiple social media platforms is required.

 

  • STUDIO SHOW PRODUCING: FOOTBALL ANALYSIS

    • All-22; Xs & Os; Technical & Creative

      • This position is within the Producers Department and is appropriate for individuals interested in a career creating content that focuses on in-depth Xs & Os knowledge of the game of football. This position is assigned to the production of a weekly live-to-tape show (“NFL Matchup”) with Producers who are responsible for reviewing and analyzing team coaching tape and producing/editing segments for analysis by on-air talent.  Interns will learn to build/edit a studio show with pre-packaged elements in Adobe Premiere. They will have the opportunity for film study, segment creation, and will also learn how to create promotional content for different social media platforms.  Interns in this position have gone on to work for film departments and coaching staffs at various levels of the game, as well as producing positions involving football analysis.  Working knowledge of multiple social media platforms and editing experience is required. This is a football-based internship with a heavy focus on X’s and O’s and a healthy dose of video editing. A strong background in football beyond a love for the game is required. Individuals applying for this position are required to possess a high level of X’s & O’s knowledge of the game at the college level and beyond and be able to communicate the overall structure of an offense or defense as well as overall scheme, matchup coverage, and play design in detail.

 

  • STUDIO PRODUCTION & AUDIO/VISUAL ENGINEERING

    • Descriptors: Technical; Studio-based; Dynamic

      • This position is within the Studio Department and is appropriate for individuals looking for a technical career in a television studio, such as Technical Directing, Audio, Graphics, Lighting, Camera and Audio/Visual Engineering.  Our shooting stages serve two main functions and interns in this department will have exposure to all aspects of both:  1) A live television production studio and 2) a shooting stage.  Interns will gain valuable experience alongside our crews in the studio, control rooms, tape room, video shading, teleprompter, Engineering, etc.  In addition, they will have the chance to experience ENG shoots (commercials, corporate videos, and film-style shoots), which involve grips, electricians, prop artists, and various cameras.  Interns will have an opportunity to get hands-on experience with equipment in the studio and will leave this internship with a well-rounded base of knowledge.  Preference is given to students who have a general understanding of studio production and technical experience in a studio setting.

 

  • POST-PRODUCTION VIDEO EDITING & COLOR GRADING

    • Technical Editing; Office-Based; Post-Production

      • This position is within the Video Post-Production Operations Department and is appropriate for those individuals interested in a career as a technical Editor (online and final edit) or Colorist for post-production. Interns in this department will work with our Editors and Graders to learn all aspects of the video post-production environment at NFL Films.  Interns will gain knowledge of how we assemble, color correct, and finish/deliver content to our broadcast partners.  Whether it be documentaries both short and long form, b-roll and sound pieces for various studio live shows, as well as several other deliverables (trailers, social media posts, etc.), interns will work with all of NFL Films’ productions in their final stages of completion.  Preference will be given to those with experience with the full Adobe Suite (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop) and Da Vinci Resolve.  Interns interested in creative editing (storytelling) should apply to the Creative Producing position offered in this application.

  • AUDIO ENGINEERING & TELEVISION MIXING

    • Creative & Technical; Office-Based; Film/TV Sound Mixing

      • This position is within the Audio Department and is appropriate for individuals interested in obtaining a career in post-production audio, television studio mixing and/or location recording and mixing. Interns will experience all aspects of audio at NFL Films. They will work with Audio Mixers to gain knowledge of operations on our shooting stage during live shoots, including setup, troubleshooting, wiring talent, and assisting the studio mixer. They will also get to work with our Music Editors who select, edit, QC and cue sheet music for our productions. Interns will primarily work with our Audio Operations department and gain experience with equipment used to transfer our 60+ years of legacy audio from various analog formats to digital files, locating audio clips for various productions, editing/archiving radio calls from NFL games, and syncing daily production footage. In addition, interns will be given opportunities to observe and assist our award-winning Mixers with on-location recording, voice-over recording, sound design, and post-production mixing sessions. Priority is given to those individuals studying the craft of Audio and all interns will be expected to learn the BlackMagic DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight DAW, which is used extensively throughout the Audio department.

 

  • FIELD ACQUISITION & LOCATION CAMERA/AUDIO

    • Technical; In-Office, Set Work & Field Work; Creative

      • This position is within the NFL FILMS Field Acquisition Department. This department combines both the Camera Dept and the Location Sound groups. On the Camera side, this position is appropriate for individuals looking for a career as a Sports Cinematographer, Director of Photography, Assistant Camera/Focus Puller, Camera Technician, or Robotic Camera Operator/Technician. On the Location Sound side, this position is appropriate for individuals looking for a career in working sideline sound at games, recording Player and Coach micing at games, and live player audio feeds for Network TV via NFL Enhanced Audio. Interns will work with our Emmy Award-winning Cinematographers and Sound Team learning proper care, maintenance, and handling of cinema cameras and lenses from our extensive inventory, audio mixers and recorder techniques, while also acquiring real world experience working with our crews in the field for various shoots. Interns will learn how to light and shoot NFL Films-style productions and will be given time to light and shoot in various test situations, while receiving feedback from our Cinematographers and Audio team. Candidates interested in this internship position should have a basic knowledge of on-location film and video production and related camera and sound equipment. Experience filming sports, narrative, and/or documentary-style (within or outside of the classroom) is a plus.

 

  • ARCHIVAL VIDEO EDITING & RESEARCH

    • Technical Editing; Office-Based; Football-Focused

      • This position is within the Media Services Department and is appropriate for individuals who are interested in utilizing their technical editing knowledge, while expanding their research and communication skills. The National Football League holds the rights to all NFL footage and this department is responsible for compiling and disseminating that footage to companies who have a licensing agreement with the NFL. The intern assigned to this department will assist in researching and gathering material for outside television networks, NFL teams, news stations, and movies/television shows requiring NFL footage. Utilizing our in-house search and database systems, this department chooses aesthetically appropriate shots based on the request to be filled and creates a compilation reel for each job.  Interns will also assist the department in completing the department’s additional daily tasks. Individuals requesting this position must have prior editing experience. Knowledge of Adobe Premiere is preferred.  This is a video-based position. 

 

Administrative Positions:

  • FIELD OPERATIONS

    • Descriptors: Administrative, Office-Based; Crew Management & Coordination; Logistics

      • This position is within the Field Operations Department and is appropriate for those individuals interested in obtaining a career in Film Production Coordination. Interns working in the Field Operations department will gain valuable insight into television production by working on all aspects of production specifically from a logistical perspective. A successful intern will assist in making crew calls, handling travel arrangements, obtaining filming permits, requesting credentials, and helping the Field Operations Staff organize logistical information into our online systems & shared documents. When appropriate, opportunities will be given to observe and assist our productions on-location. Individuals applying for this position should have a basic understanding of film and television production, as well as excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

 

  • FOOTAGE RIGHTS & CLEARANCES

    • Administrative; Office-Based; Research & Coordination; Teamwork

      • This position is within the Footage Department and is appropriate for someone interested in the field of intellectual property, research, and post-production in the sports television world. An intern in this role will have hands-on experience researching and fulfilling requests submitted by Producers to acquire third party footage & photos to be used in NFL Films’ productions. Interns will work closely with Producers, Post-Production Scheduling, Media Administration, Legal, and Project Managers while acquiring and licensing materials for various projects based on set deadlines and budgets. This involves researching various photos or footage Producers would like to find for usage in their shows, communicating with the various departments to get those materials through the system, and following through to finalize and file paperwork (agreements, purchase orders, invoices, etc.). Individuals for this position must have good communications skills to work with many vendors via phone and email, be extremely organized, and be able to work on many projects at one time.  Interns in this position must be self-motivated and be able to work well independently, as well as part of a team.

 

  • MUSIC CLEARANCE & LICENSING

    • Administrative; Office-Based; Research & Coordination; Music Industry

      • This position is within the Music Licensing Department and is appropriate for someone interested in the fields of music copyright, publishing, supervision, clearances, intellectual property, research, and post-production in sports television.  An intern in this role will have hands-on experience in assisting with research and acquiring of assets & courtesies, clearance of songs requested for use across all of NFL/NFL Media (including NFL Films, NFL Network, NFL Marketing, NFL Digital/Social Media and NFL Live Events).  Interns will work closely with the Director of Music Administration/Supervision and the Music Licensing team and cross-departmentally with Legal and Project Managers over a large variety of projects.  Interns will assist with research and clearance of popular/commercial music, tracking in spreadsheets and databases, requesting appropriate agreements and invoices, and following up with labels, publishers, managers and other third parties to ensure delivery of assets and all necessary releases and/or licenses. Duties will also involve helping to organize and maintain our music library.  Individuals for this position should have an avid interest in music and music business, strong communications skills, be exceptionally organized, and feel comfortable contributing to multiple projects at one time.  Interns in this position should be self-motivated and work well independently as well as part of a team.

 

  • PRODUCTION BUDGETING & MANAGEMENT

    • Administrative; Office-Based; Management & Coordination Of Creative

      • This department is within the Project Management Department and is appropriate for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the management of creative projects from a budgetary and resource management standpoint.  The intern will shadow a Project Manager and observe how productions are budgeted, planned and executed.  They will take a larger role in the daily office tasks needed to manage various budgets, which includes but not limited to the administrative duties of processing timecards & invoices, working in the production budget platform, entering details in purchase order system, and reviewing expense reports.  A successful candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, be extremely organized, and self-motivated.  A basic understanding of the process and equipment used in television and film production as well as a basic business knowledge are preferred.

 

  • BUSINESS AFFAIRS

    • Compliance; Office-Based; Transactional, Negotiations; Media and Entertainment Law

      • This position is appropriate for those individuals interested in a career in sports, media & entertainment law. The Business Affairs intern will gain valuable transactional experience having the opportunity to review, draft, and negotiate agreements with outside vendors and agents. The intern will also assist with content review and production risk assessments for upcoming shoots. This role will work with various departments across NFL Films, including, Producers, Legal, Insurance, Field Operations, Talent Relations, and Project Management. Applicants, at minimum, must be either a 2nd year Law or MBA student, with an interest in media and production.

APPLICATION TIMELINE 

  • Application deadline: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 

  • Interviews: April – May 2024

  • Program Start Date: Monday, August 26, 204

  • Program End Date: Friday, February 14, 2025

CLICK HERE TO APPLY.


Jaia Thomas