WIFVNE, Element Productions, and Clark Ave Creative have teamed up and are proud to announce the creation of the Director Trainee Shadowing Program. Film, TV, Commercial internships can be the entrance into major careers for many TV and film professionals. In fact, Directors often state that their early days were spent at an internship or in a similar role prior to moving into a more permanent spot on the film set or TV/Production/Commercial house.

The goal of this program is twofold. Emerging directors will experience the process, in real time, what a director goes through when pitching and delivering a video for an agency or brand. The program also will introduce the emerging director to production companies in an effort to break down the hesitancy around hiring an “unknown director.”

The Program:  Director Shadowing for Commercial/branded content

The Director Shadowing Program provides insight into the process a director goes through once they have been chosen for a commercial/branded content project. Their creative approach won them the job; now they have to be mindful as they make additional decisions for the project keeping in mind the goals, branding and messaging from the client. This program exposes Trainees to the pace, process, and creative challenges when directing branded content and working with client-centered deliverables. Additionally, there may be scheduling or budgeting challenges that will impact the creative.

Benefits of this program

• Immersive production experience in branded content
• Professional development
• Deeper understanding of the process producing client-driven content

The program will consist of three areas:

• Client & creative meetings
• One-on-one conversations with key production personnel
• On site events (casting, locations, shoot, as available)

Program eligibility

1) Be a current member of WIFVNE

2) Be 21 years of age or older at the time of the shadowing opportunity

And any one (1) of the following:

3) Have on set experience in any production capacity

4) Have agency or production company experience in any capacity 

5) Currently be enrolled in a film/media program

The Process

Completed applications will be reviewed by the WIFVNE committee. Additionally, all prospective Candidates will be interviewed by a member of the committee. Application to the program is not a guarantee of acceptance. 

Once accepted into the program, Trainees will be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement with our production partner to ensure that any materials, references or proprietary information the trainee is exposed to remains confidential. 

Due to the nature of commercial production, Trainees are asked to be flexible with scheduling concerns. Productions may be scheduled with no more than three weeks notice.  Many of the meetings may be provided via Zoom or phone. WIFVNE or its production partner will contact Trainees as opportunities are confirmed. WIFVNE will do its best to match participants with areas of interest. Trainees will be asked to accept or decline opportunities within 24 hours. Declining an opportunity does not forfeit a Trainee's participation in the program. 

Once the Trainee has been part of a full cycle for a production, WIFVNE will ask Trainees to complete a post-program survey and provide feedback on the program. Trainees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the Trainee's project. 

Please note:  this is not a paid program. Trainees will not receive any compensation for participating in this program, nor for use of photos, likeness, or statements used in conjunction with this program. Trainees should not expect to be hired as a direct result of participating, for either full-time or freelance work. 

Application 
Please apply by using this form.  Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé, a list of credits, a personal statement of no more than 500 words, and three professional or academic references. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for consideration for the inaugural program is May 15, 2022. 

Questions

Please email Shadowing@WIFVNE.org