My second summer at Filmiamo is now complete, and this second one built directly on the foundation from my first. Last year’s internship was all about learning the fundamentals of a production and what goes on behind the scene of running a production company. This year was about applying those skills on set and an increase in hands-on experiences.
This summer took us all over the region. Between New York City, DC, and Philadelphia, we were on the road very frequently, with additional trips to New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Albany. Each shoot came with a different client, a different setting, and a different set of needs to be met. Working across that many environments in a single summer helped me push my adaptability further. By the end of the summer, I could walk into an unfamiliar set and be able to read the client's expectations within the first few minutes, instead of needing time to adjust before I found my footing.
This summer I had the opportunity to work with so many different clients with Filmiamo. VISA, as part of their World Cup campaigns, was our biggest client of the summer. We also worked multiple times with the Council on Foreign Relations, and with Anthropologie as part of their "Postcards from Philly" series. Getting to spend time on set with Make-A-Wish, who has been a longtime Filmiamo client, was one of the most meaningful experiences of my internship. It was one of the most wholesome shoots I’ve been on and a clear example of the kind of lasting client relationships Luke and Hannah have built.
If I had to point to one skill that grew the most this summer, it would be client relations. Last year, I mostly observed Luke and Hannah manage that side of the business. This summer, I was directly involved, learning how to read what a client needed on set, how to adjust in the moment, and how to communicate clearly both during a shoot and in the planning around it. It's a skill that doesn't show up in a final video, but it shapes how smoothly every production runs.
I also took on a much larger hands-on role with the camera and equipment itself. Last year I was mainly assisting with setup, this year I spent real time behind the camera. Luke and Josh were both generous with their time in teaching me, whether that meant a new setting, a new piece of equipment, or a technique I had only observed before. Learning directly from two people with their level of experience is something I don't take for granted, and it's a foundation I'll continue building on.
Looking back at both internships together, I'm grateful for how much they've shaped my understanding of this industry, from the fundamentals of a production to the client relationships and technical skill that make one successful. I'm bringing all of it back to Syracuse as Content Lead for Syracuse Esports, where understanding what our players, coaches, and program need, and knowing how to actually operate a camera and understanding the pre and post production, are exactly the skills these two summers helped build.
Thank you to Luke, Hannah, and Josh for two summers of mentorship I won't forget. I'm looking forward to staying connected and seeing what Filmiamo continues to build.
