We introduced you to four brand new board members, and now we’re pleased to introduce our latest cohort of Kindling interns. These six have really hit the ground running, helping with everything from social media posting to shooting a brand new vlog. Find out what they’ve learned so far and what they’re hoping to get out of the KG internship program.
Zoe George is a junior at Columbia College Chicago, majoring in Television Writing & Producing. Currently she is a producer, writer, and director at a student run production company called Television Arts Collective. “I'm hoping to learn the documentary film ropes. I want more knowledge about how to apply to film festivals, how to fundraise, and how to reach out to potential viewers. Since I've started here I have already applied to a few film festivals and I've done customer outreach. I am really excited to continue learning new information that I can use in my future.“ Forward, Zoe!
C. Dallas Golden, now a junior at Columbia College Chicago, had success with his first documentary short, Rainbow Families, critically recognized as an official selection at the 2015 Beijing Film Academy’s International Student Film and Video Festival and the 2015 Merlinka International Queer Festival in Belgrade, Serbia. Dallas was part of a group of Columbia College students who helped produce content for Kindling’s new co-production No Small Matter in 2015. “Working on No Small Matter last semester was an amazing experience, and I look forward to continuing that work during the internship." He has already been a central part of the production team working on a vlog that will be part of No Small Matter’s digital engagement campaign.
Ji Jinglu is an art addict, film student and sometimes a risk taker(!). Born and raised in Beijing, the heart of China, Ji moved to Chicago in the fall of 2013 to study at Columbia College Chicago. “Even though I have no idea where my future is headed, I will never stop going,” she says. Ji is studying graphics and animation, and is letting her creativity loose in post-production on No Small Matter’s vlog-to-come.
Brennan Johnston is a graduate of University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee with a BFA (2015) in Film, Video and New Genres. “I am interested in telling stories, whether through narrative or documentary filmmaking. Social issues and human rights in particular are very important to me,” says Brennan. After working with Kindling Group for a few weeks, he reports, “Thus far, I've learned about researching, logistics, budgeting, logging, transcribing, casting... much more than I would have thought possible in such a short period of time! I'm enjoying the opportunity to be fully immersed in the projects at hand.” We are too, Brennan.
Julia Martin graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY in May 2015 where she majored in History, focusing on 20th century American history, specifically during post-war eras. She became interested in documentary film after working with a Vietnam War veteran to record the oral history of his experience as a journalist for the military-run newspaper. She has taken classes at Chicago Filmmakers and is drawn to films that approach large, polarizing social issues through individual stories. Julia’s been laser-focused on pre-production for one of Kindling’s newest projects: “So far it's been really interesting being a part of Veterans Coming Home as it narrows down its team members, plans locations and finds relevant stories to follow and organizations to get involved with.”
Last but not least! Elly Tier has worked almost every role in a production, from PA to director. She currently attends Columbia College Chicago and is finishing up her BA in Cinema Art & Science. She has freelanced with many local Chicago organizations. Elly has a special interest in creative content for the web, alternative news platforms, and believes that telling real life stories of everyday people is what keeps the world spinning.
Want to intern with Kindling Group, or do you know someone who might? Email us at info@kindlinggroup.org.