Finally Made it to FM

​“Welcome to the Fremantle family everyone!” said the hiring manager who gave me and 9 other interns the chance to make this office our home for the next 10-weeks. She pointed to the wall behind us where several bags adorned FremantleMedia’s logos. Inside the drawstring bags was an array of gifts congratulating us and welcoming us to call ourselves members of the FremantleMedia team. I whipped out my phone and grammed my new water bottle. 

Hi my name is WILLIAM

This is the message that hugged my bottle and that made me really believe that I was present. I sat alongside my fellow interns, our hiring managers, and our supervisors and together we formed the 2017 summer program. I am fortunate to say that I recognized some faces, through our connections at Posse, and others I instantly vibed with. We were then invited to go off with our supervisors and get a tour of the office before we headed to work.
 
My “big”, as I call her, led me through the elevators before introducing me to the team I’d be assisting. My official title is “Communications & PR” intern, and it is so empowering to say that I have my own company email! I found my desk, logged in, and the learning began.
 
“Let me be honest, I can tell you haven’t worked in publicity before at a studio. I don’t blame you for not answering that last question right,” said a publicist I interviewed with. I didn’t feel angry at her. My heart twisted, but I appreciated that she gave me a sneak preview of what my summer would entail. Before working here, I could not tell you the difference between PR, publicity, or marketing. In fact, I did not even know that each of these was a separate enterprise.

​Yesterday marked my first full week working with FM, and in these last few days I have learned so much. From seeing press releases being made, to recording trade magazines, and searching up the latest news, I have become more confident in my ability to discuss my department.
 
Even then, I know I still have a lot to learn. I’m often intimidated by the discourse my supervisors indulge in. But asking questions has helped me understand more and more of the daily, and often unpredictable, duties that it takes to be a publicist.
 
Later this week I start my second internship with The Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts, and so I have a lot to prepare for and a lot to write about!