Celluloid summer
Senior interns with the Woodstock Film Festival
David Novak’s interest in movies took him behind the silver screen and deep into the art and business of running a top regional film festival.
The senior film and new media studies major landed a summer internship with the Woodstock Film Festival, a highly regarded Northeast showcase that serves as an Oscar-qualifying venue for the short film category.
“Entering a film in a festival is one of the best ways for filmmakers to get attention for their work,” Novak said. “It’s been very interesting to look behind the scenes, learn how a film festival works and the process involved in bringing a film to the attention of festival viewers.”
The intense competition for inclusion in a well-known festival made an impression on Novak, who said Woodstock receives roughly 3,500 submissions, which runs the namesake annual exhibition as well as events throughout the year. One of the perks of the internship, he said, was an invitation to join the ranks of the festival’s screeners whenever his time allowed.
“I’ve been able to watch a few feature-length films and quite a few shorts,” he said. “One short film from Zimbabwe called Rise was really impressive. It was so endearing and well made. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets more public attention in the future.”
Aside from screening films, a good deal of Novak’s time was spent on other aspects of festival operations, particularly promotions. He staffed festival events and fundraisers, wrote social media posts and created video trailers to promote upcoming film screening events. The video editing allowed Novak to practice his still-developing skills.
“I’m not the best editor in the world, but I’ve been getting better,” he said. “In fact, my supervisor messaged me this morning to say that a trailer I put together to promote an upcoming event had just surpassed 10,000 views.” (The event ended up being one of the best-attended screenings the organization has held.)
The experience also has shed light on the many types of work involved in film and the festival industry. For example, Novak noted that one staff member of the organization focuses solely on researching and writing grants to help fund the non-profit’s activities. “That’s a job that I would never have thought of as being part of the industry before this, but it’s absolutely essential.”
Ultimately, the biggest thrill has come from the opportunity to discover new films that have not yet been recognized and to gain insights into what sets the best works apart. “I had been more familiar with feature-length films up to this point,” he said. “I’m definitely learning what works and what doesn’t, in short films.” he observed. And while not every movie he’s watched has been enjoyable, his appreciation for the medium has grown. “It’s just objectively hard to make films. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of collaboration.