Media Production Internships
Pine Cove is a non-profit Christian ministry that operates eight summer camps in Texas (Tyler and Columbus). Our media department hires 35 seasonal videographer and photographer positions each summer. Some of these positions are half-summer, but most are full-summer. Summer media staff receive intensive training, supervision, hands-on experience, and an opportunity to build their portfolio. Media staff are paid a salary and their lodging, food, and equipment are provided. Media staff work together in a centralized office allowing them to encourage, challenge and learn from each other and the full time staff. Our leadership and full time staff are passionate about training young college students and equiping them for a profession in media production.
Academic Credit
Many students in related majors have received academic credit for their work. We are happy to work with the students and their professors to accommodate any internship requirements. Summer staff at Pine Cove generally work in excess of 60 hours per week, so students working on internships usually have no problem getting enough hours to satisfy internship requirements.
Application Process
Media staff apply through the normal Pine Cove summer staff application process. To begin the application process, click here. You can interview with us when our recruiting staff come to your school (see our interview places). When filling out your application, make sure to explain your experience in photography and/or video production. When you select your job preferences, choose videographer and/or photographer positions. Also, please e-mail the media department at media@pinecove.com and let us know that you've applied and you're seeking a media position. Please include some links to photos you've shot and/or videos you've created so we can evaluate your experience and skill level.
Positions
Summer media positions fall into three basic categories described below.
Photographers
Camp photographers spend most of their time at their camp shooting hundreds of photos of all the activities going on at camp. They set up and shoot portraits of cabin groups and individuals. In the evenings, they sort, edit, color-correct, and post these photos to our web site. Photographers generally publish between 600 and 1000 photos each week to the web and photo CD. Each camper leaves with a copy of a CD containing all their week's pictures.
Expect to learn Photoshop and Aperture. This is a great entry-level photo position, attracting both pre-professionals and hobbyists. Visit our photo gallery to browse photos shot by summer staff photographers.
Highlight Videographers
Highlight Videographers produce a 12 to 15-minute highlight video of each week of camp. This video is shown at the end of the week and each camper leaves with a copy on DVD. Highlight videographers follow a production schedule, shoot footage, edit videos and duplicate DVDs. The extreme activities and beautiful setting of camp provide excellent subject matter for shooting. Producing the same video each week enables them to perfect their skills and learn time and project management skills.
Expect to learn Final Cut Pro and some DVD Studio Pro. This is a great entry-level video position, however, applicants with some experience in video production are preferred. If you would like us to send you a highlight video DVD, e-mail us at media@pinecove.com.
Program Videographers
Program Videographers produce videos that are shown at camp meals and meetings to enhance the program. Most of these videos are funny, but some are informative or spiritual in nature. These projects are less formulaic than highlight videos and require more advanced skills, creative abilities and project management experience. For this reason, these positions are generally held by second-year media staff or experienced first-year candidates.
Expect to learn Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Photoshop and AfterEffects. Program videographers also help with the production of highlight videos as needed. If you would like us to send you a program video DVD, e-mail us at media@pinecove.com.
Equipment
We supply each of our staff with all equipment and software necessary.
Expect to use prosumer video cameras (Canon GL2s and XH A1's) and digital SLR cameras (Canon Rebel XTis and Rebel XSi’s). Media staff work on Apple Mac Pros, Powermac G5s and iMacs. Photographers use Adobe Photoshop and Aperture to manage and edit their photos. Videographers use Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. Some Program Videographers also learn and use Adobe Photoshop and AfterEffects.
Training
Summer media staff spend their first week at Pine Cove in intensive skills training for their job. We teach shooting techniques, train them on the software they will be using, and help them develop a production schedule. During this week, they have ample opportunity to practice what they are learning, ask questions and receive constructive evaluation by leadership and their peers.
The rest of the summer, leadership and fulltime staff are always avaliable for advice, critique and specialty skills training. We also have weekly meetings where we review techniques and evaluate each other's work. Expect to learn a lot in a single summer with us. Many walk away having learned more practical and creative skills than they learned in their four years at college.
Full Time Staff
We are skilled at what we do and passionate about training and inspiring students to create media with excellence. Here is a list of the full time staff who are most involved in overseeing and training summer media staff.
Robbie Jones [Associate Director of Media]
Robbie holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Columbia International University and has nine years of professional experience in video production, graphic design, and web design. Robbie oversees Pine Cove's media department.
Stephen Myers [Video Producer]
Stephen holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Mass Communication from Ouachita Baptist University and has five years of professional experience in video production, photography and motion graphic design. Stephen produces videos for Pine Cove and oversees summer staff productions.
Kyle Daniel [Media Production Coordinator]
Kyle holds a B.A. in Radio Television from Stephen F. Austin University and has three years of professional experience in video production. Kyle produces videos for Pine Cove and helps oversee summer staff during the summer.
