Name of MENTOR: Ethan van Thillo, Executive Director
Name of ORGANIZATION/SITE: Media Arts Center San Diego
Mission Statement:
MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO promotes access to film and video as tools for community self-expression and social change and supports the professional development of media artists.
Vision Statement:
MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO endorses the inclusion of underrepresented communities in the media arts field and the portrayal of accurate images of these communities by mainstream media and promotes community access to and use of media technology.
Name of ORGANIZATION/SITE: Media Arts Center San Diego
Mission Statement:
MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO promotes access to film and video as tools for community self-expression and social change and supports the professional development of media artists.
Vision Statement:
MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO endorses the inclusion of underrepresented communities in the media arts field and the portrayal of accurate images of these communities by mainstream media and promotes community access to and use of media technology.
Mentor Interview Questions
1.What is a typical workday like?
Fundraising (grantwriting, sponsorships). Human Resources (staff meeting, personnel issues. Budgeting (program budgets, profit/loss, accountant). Facility. Marketing. Program management (meeting with staff, overseeing program action plans).
2. What are your main duties and responsibilities?
Fundraising. Operations. Program Management. Facility Management. Marketing/PR.
3. How is the organization structured?
Board of Directors oversees entire organization. Then, the Executive Director, is responsible for overseeing everyone else. The organization has four core departments/areas: Exhibition. Education. Operations. Video Production Services.
4. Tell us about your path in getting to where you are today- what is your educational history and work experience prior to working here?
Studies at UC Santa Cruz. I was a Latin American Studies Major. It was there where I first organized a Latino Film Festival. So, when I graduated in 1992, I came to San Diego. I saw that there was not Latino film festival in San Diego, so I started to start one for the San Diego - Baja California region.
5. Why did you choose to work here?
The San Diego Border Region is a great and diverse place to work. Plus, 24 years ago, there was no film festival, and I felt it was really important that the Region have an event that celebrates the accurate and positive portrayal of the Latino community on television and in film.
6. What qualifications do employees need to be successful here and how are those qualifications acquired?
Hard workers. Detailed oriented. Understand how to manage projects. Understand how to manage volunteers. Be innovative and creative in all aspects of their work. Be good communicators to both customers and fellow staff persons.
7. What other personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important to be successful here?
Knowledge of Cinema. Knowledge of youth media education. Graphic Design. Video Production. Marketing. PR. Project Management. Budgeting.
8. What advice do you have about working here?
Work hard. Always be pro-active (i.e. ask if you have any questions and just move forward the best you can). Be a leader. Communicate (i.e. with fellow employees, mentor, etc..). Learn as much as you can while you are here at MACSD.
Internship Project Discussion & Brainstorm: All interns develop a substantial project(s) with the mentor that contributes to the organization.
What projects do employees do for the company?
Curate movies for the Digital Gym CINEMA and San Diego Latino Film Festival. Market movies. Produce short videos for KPBS and other organizations. Teach kids and teens how to make movies.
Of all of these project ideas, which seem most appealing and appropriate and why?
Produce a video about community issues. This video will connect to MACSD’s education/outreach programs that it offers to community members. This video will be an educational tool for future generations, policy makers, and local residents.
How could this project idea(s) be authentic, rigorous, and connected to the company’s purpose and/or mission?
Create a video with fellow interns spotlighting community issues surrounding MACSD’s Digital Gym CINEMA in North Park/City Heights.
What type of support and skills will be required to ensure the project(s) is successful? Who might be able to help support you in completing the project?
MACSD will provide video production and editing equipment. MACSD will provide a media arts instructor to teach basic pre production, production, and post production skills.
How might you present this project as part of the Internship Presentation of Learning?
Video will be produced by the end of the internship program.
Fundraising (grantwriting, sponsorships). Human Resources (staff meeting, personnel issues. Budgeting (program budgets, profit/loss, accountant). Facility. Marketing. Program management (meeting with staff, overseeing program action plans).
2. What are your main duties and responsibilities?
Fundraising. Operations. Program Management. Facility Management. Marketing/PR.
3. How is the organization structured?
Board of Directors oversees entire organization. Then, the Executive Director, is responsible for overseeing everyone else. The organization has four core departments/areas: Exhibition. Education. Operations. Video Production Services.
4. Tell us about your path in getting to where you are today- what is your educational history and work experience prior to working here?
Studies at UC Santa Cruz. I was a Latin American Studies Major. It was there where I first organized a Latino Film Festival. So, when I graduated in 1992, I came to San Diego. I saw that there was not Latino film festival in San Diego, so I started to start one for the San Diego - Baja California region.
5. Why did you choose to work here?
The San Diego Border Region is a great and diverse place to work. Plus, 24 years ago, there was no film festival, and I felt it was really important that the Region have an event that celebrates the accurate and positive portrayal of the Latino community on television and in film.
6. What qualifications do employees need to be successful here and how are those qualifications acquired?
Hard workers. Detailed oriented. Understand how to manage projects. Understand how to manage volunteers. Be innovative and creative in all aspects of their work. Be good communicators to both customers and fellow staff persons.
7. What other personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important to be successful here?
Knowledge of Cinema. Knowledge of youth media education. Graphic Design. Video Production. Marketing. PR. Project Management. Budgeting.
8. What advice do you have about working here?
Work hard. Always be pro-active (i.e. ask if you have any questions and just move forward the best you can). Be a leader. Communicate (i.e. with fellow employees, mentor, etc..). Learn as much as you can while you are here at MACSD.
Internship Project Discussion & Brainstorm: All interns develop a substantial project(s) with the mentor that contributes to the organization.
What projects do employees do for the company?
Curate movies for the Digital Gym CINEMA and San Diego Latino Film Festival. Market movies. Produce short videos for KPBS and other organizations. Teach kids and teens how to make movies.
Of all of these project ideas, which seem most appealing and appropriate and why?
Produce a video about community issues. This video will connect to MACSD’s education/outreach programs that it offers to community members. This video will be an educational tool for future generations, policy makers, and local residents.
How could this project idea(s) be authentic, rigorous, and connected to the company’s purpose and/or mission?
Create a video with fellow interns spotlighting community issues surrounding MACSD’s Digital Gym CINEMA in North Park/City Heights.
What type of support and skills will be required to ensure the project(s) is successful? Who might be able to help support you in completing the project?
MACSD will provide video production and editing equipment. MACSD will provide a media arts instructor to teach basic pre production, production, and post production skills.
How might you present this project as part of the Internship Presentation of Learning?
Video will be produced by the end of the internship program.