Joshua Napier/The Minaret
Last semester, the 20 year-old film media arts major was given an opportunity to intern on the set of a major motion picture.
Nord networked with famous producers and directors and had some one-on-one time with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
The Minaret was able to interview Nord to find out what it was like to work on a real movie set.
The Minaret: Cameron, you were recently an intern on the set of the film Dolphin Tale. What was that like?
Cameron Nord: Busy. I didn’t have a life. There would be mornings that I’d have to be there by 4 a.m. and I’d be there for about 12 hours a day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
I probably got more out of it than I thought I would. I really enjoyed it, I put as much time and effort into the job as possible.
M: What did you get out of the experience?
CN: I learned so much. I did get some contacts; I met quite a few people, met some celebrities and I am very grateful to have done that, but it wasn’t my main reason for doing it.
I did it because I wanted to be able to have my feet wet before I get out into the industry. I wanted to have somewhat of an idea of what I’m getting in to.
M: What do you want to do in the film industry?
CN: I want to go into the producing side of film. I have a background in theatre as I have attended performing arts schools elementary through high school.
It’s my life. It’s all I’ve ever done and it’s all I want to do.
M: You had an opportunity to meet some big time actors like Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd.
What were they like?
CN: Morgan Freeman is really funny and down to earth.
He’s serious about what he does and is very professional, but at the same time is relaxed and cool.
His acting is superb. Harry Connick Jr. is hilarious.
He is probably one of the funniest people I have ever met and was cracking jokes all the time.
They’re just normal people. They had iPhones and [the actors] were all playing Angry Birds on them.
That was hilarious, it just reinforces how normal they are.
M: Did you get to have any face time with the actors?
CN: Yeah I actually held Ashley Judd’s umbrella for her while she was out in the sunlight.
We talked and found out that we had both spent time up in Cape Cod growing up.
I also talked to Morgan Freeman about when he was sailing in Croatia because my family are big sailors and have also been to Croatia.
It was interesting that we had been to the same place and done the same things.
M: What other jobs did you have on the set?
CN: I did stuff in the production office. There were a ton of extras one week and I helped them fill out all of their forms so that everything was perfect when the unit production managers came in.
I also helped out with the second team, they’re the people that stand in place of the actors while the actors are getting ready for the next shot or when they’re taking a break.
M: What advice would you give to a student interested in doing an internship?
CN: I would encourage people to [intern].
Have an open mind and work really hard.
Don’t expect a lot financially out of it but as a learning experience.
It’s networking and getting your name out there and learning a lot.
While you’re in film school there is still so much you don’t know that we can’t learn in a classroom.
If you don’t do anything in college, the second you go into your careers you’re isolated.
No one knows who you are.
If you do something like an internship you may not be getting a corner office overlooking Times Square immediately, but at least you’ll get your foot in the door.
Someone is more likely to hire you if they know you and they’ve already worked with you.
UT offers over 425 internships each year in the Tampa Bay area. Visit ut.edu/internships for more info.
Think you or someone you know could be Spartan of the Week? Contact us at minaret.news@gmail.com with their name, contact information and a brief description of what makes them awesome!
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