What is the Compass College of Cinematic Arts (CCCA) Internship Capstone Course?

The internship capstone course (IN-299) is a mandatory three-credit course for current students in good academic standing. After completing the initial 12 months of training—packed with professional mentoring and heavy on-set protocol curriculum—students enter this final phase and are eligible to intern in any media arts-related business, from production houses, agencies, rental facilities, and/or productions, including feature length films, television productions, documentaries, and live performances.

How do I request a CCCA intern(s) or crew?

CCCA Interns can be acquired by filing out an Intern & Crew Request Form. After we receive your submitted form, our Industry Relations Specialist, or one of our alumni or students will be in contact with you.

What are the skills of a standard CCCA Intern/Crew Member?

All Compass interns are trained extensively in numerous areas of film production: above and below-the-line, story, screenwriting, standard post-production on Adobe Premiere Pro, and graphics on Photoshop and After Effects. You can view course descriptions in our academic catalog. Our interns can benefit any production at any stage.

CCCA interns also have undergone extensive protocol training, with curriculum written in tandem with our Advisory Board (among the members are Ralph Winter and Korey Pollard). This ensures that, as PAs, our interns know how to navigate a set with confidence and skill. In addition, CCCA interns can be utilized as department assistants, in the production office, and in various technical areas (D.I.T., Post, Camera). They also can answer phones, make lunch runs, and brew coffee like a seasoned professional.

How much experience do CCCA interns have?

In addition to each individual’s personal work experience, all of the interns have completed twelve months and 57 of 60 credit hours of filmmaking work. This includes the classes: Film Fundamentals, Creative Communication, Story Structure, Artistic Vocation I and II, Film History, Producing I: Business and Legal, Producing II: Creative, Screenwriting II and III, Directing, Production Design, Cinematography, Post Production I and II, Thesis, Lecture and Protocol.

The Compass curriculum puts students to work immediately. Students begin their on-set experience by participating in a professionally guided shoot. There, students shadow industry professionals as they work in real time, setting the groundwork for impeccable set etiquette.

Throughout the rest of the year, students will produce three large creative projects and a myriad of short video assignments; they write a feature screenplay and a business plan. For the final student short film, student groups are given small budgets and are responsible for every aspect of the production, including marketing and a hosting a premiere in the community.

Compass also offers opportunities outside of class for students to work on commercial, industrial, and creative projects throughout the year. We are a conservatory-style institution that teaches learning by doing.

How much experience do CCCA Alumni crew have?

Our alumni are working in all areas of production throughout the world. Some shoot documentaries in the most remote locations known to man, others work on films, such as Avatar. Film, television, and web - our alumni can do it all. And we'll make sure you find the right fit for your personnel needs. Other notable films our alumni have worked on include: Bee Movie, Fast and Furious, Indiana Jones IV, Up in the Air, and Whip it. In television, CCCA alums have worked on Big Love, CSI: Miami, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Medium, Monk, Prison Break, Valentine, and Paula Abdul's Live to Dance.

Are CCCA interns prepared to work long hours?

Yes. Our interns understand the process of filmmaking and know that production requires long and unusual hours.

Do CCCA interns understand the hierarchy of production?

Yes. CCCA interns are the best of the best. They understand the importance of respecting all department heads and know the proper routes of communication on a film set. Throughout their instruction, CCCA Interns have seen and experienced above and below the line professionals at work.

Are interns insured through CCCA?

Yes. As a non-profit 501(c)3, we have an insurance policy that covers full liability for all of our volunteers and students engaged in our educational activities. Your shoot will be listed with our policyholder. Compass is equipped to supply all productions with a certificate of insurance.

What expectations does CCCA have of its interns’ employers?

On-site supervisors are responsible for filling out all applicable paperwork with the intern. Depending on the type of internship, the paperwork may require objectives and tasks to be identified. It will always document length of internship and description of responsibilities, contact information and the like. Additional expectations include:

1. Keeping the student on task to complete the agreed-upon objectives.
2. Making sure the intern is reimbursed for any expenses, including mileage and that the intern is compensated per the Internship Agreement Packet, if applicable.
3. Providing reasonable resources to the student intern, e.g., desk, office space, supplies, and resources available to other workers with similar responsibilities.
4. Meeting periodically with the intern to provide on-going supervision and comment.
5. Being available for discussions, when necessary, with the intern, the Compass Industry Relations Specialist or another Career Services representative.
6. Completing and promptly returning an intern evaluation form (mail, fax or online) prior to the end of the internship.

Finally, we ask that, as a supervisor, you be prepared to teach. Task our interns with important, meaningful work. As much as possible, be clear about all facets of the internship. Make sure they understand what you are expecting of them.  Make sure they know you are open to questions, even fundamental ones. As always, compensation is nice. Not required, but nice.

Keep in mind that your intern is a student.  Provide bus fare or a lunch stipend if you can.  Abide by the Fair Labor Standards Act and assist students in any formal paperwork to receive college credit if applicable.

Am I expected to provide housing and transportation?

That depends…

When working on production(s) for an internship, interns are responsible for their own transportation from their home to the location of your production. With the exception of local productions (within 45 miles of Grand Rapids), if possible, Compass requests that you provide housing and production-related transportation once they arrive.

While this is not required, more interns may be available as money is often a determining factor for whether or not many interns can participate in the internship program. We also request that you provide food (at least two meals per day) through your craft services on production days.

Exceptions to location shooting include:
Detroit

Compass intern housing is available for students in the Detroit area at a limited capacity. Any productions in the Metropolitan Detroit area seeking more than 4 interns may be asked to provide housing support.

When working for a post house, rental facility, or other “bricks and mortar” businesses, interns are required to provide their own housing and transportation.

To whom can I direct additional questions about the intern program?

If you have additional questions about the internship program or would like to begin coordinating use of Compass Interns, please contact Evan Koons, Industry Relations Specialist, at 616.988.1000.

end