Emma Moehlenhoff
COM’15 | Film/TV
Production Assistant at Hearst Television and a Producer Intern at KMBC-TV
During the summer of 2014, Emma Moehlenhoff had two television-related internships. Through these experiences, Emma deepened her interest in the field and plans to continue to pursue it further in the future.
CCD: Tell us about your experiences. What were your responsibilities?
Emma: At KMBC-TV, I helped write copy for newscasts and checked social media for tips and stories. I also went out in the field with reporters to produce and coordinate shoots. Additionally, I got to Live-Op produce during the newscasts during their actual on-air run. At Hearst Television, where I worked on the weekends, I ran the assignment desk for the weekend evening newscasts, along with writing copy, checking social media, and more.
CCD: How did you find the position? What helped you get it? What resources (at BU or elsewhere) did you use?
Emma: KMBC-TV was the station I grew up watching in Kansas City, so I applied there and to other affiliates in the area. I went home over spring break for an interview and fell in love with the station. Before my interview, I went to the CCD to update my resume and I did some research on the station. My interview went really well, and the hiring supervisor and I had a really good conversation. I followed up with thank-you emails, and after about two weeks, I found out I got the internship! After I was there for two weeks, they offered me a paid internship on the weekends as a Production Assistant with Hearst Television. I think I was really lucky to have such great experiences.
CCD: What was the best thing about the experience? What was the worst?
Emma: Everyone at KMBC-TV was willing to teach me anything and everything, and I am so grateful to have had such wonderful teachers. They let me sit in on editorial meetings and see how the newscast is produced from start to finish. It was great to be able to be a part of something I’ve watched on TV my whole life. The only thing that was a little rough were the times I helped out with the morning shows. Let me tell you, they wake up very early. Regardless, it was still a blast, and I couldn’t think of a better way to start my day, even if it was at 3:00 AM.
CCD: What is one thing you’ve learned that will benefit any future internships or other hands-on experience?
Emma: Through my experience, I got a true glimpse into the life of a news producer and assignment editor at a local affiliate. I got to know the flow of a broadcast affiliate and fell in love with the job. I wouldn’t normally get to experience this because as a film and television major, we don’t get to do a ton with broadcast.
CCD: What are the top 3 skills you’ve learned from this experience?
Emma: Efficiency while multitasking because I was always doing five things at once. I also learned AP ENPS, which is the software that was used for producing and writing copies for newscasts.
CCD: How has this experience changed your future plans?
Emma: These experiences have definitely opened my eyes to a whole new field of work that I didn’t know I could do, and now that I have this experience, I’m going to pursue it in the future.
CCD: What advice would you give to another student about making the most of a summer experience?
Emma: Personally, I always wanted to go home for the summer, but when I was applying to internships, it seemed like a challenge to intern in film/TV in Kansas as the film and TV business is not exactly booming there. Fortunately, it worked out in a way that allowed me to do so. I recommend that students stay open and apply to anything and everything they are interested in. You never know what it might turn out to be!
CCD: What are the benefits of the type of summer experience you did?
Emma: I got to be home and have a great internship and paid job in a field I am studying and want to go into so it was a great summer!
CCD: What’s next for you?
Emma: I’m a senior so I will need to start applying to jobs soon. I’ll also be going to LA for the BU LA Internship Program in the spring. I’m very excited!
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