{"id":226819,"date":"2025-10-10T08:59:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T12:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226819"},"modified":"2025-11-10T14:24:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T19:24:28","slug":"student-voices-im-majoring-in-film-and-television-and-now-im-interning-in-hollywood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/10\/10\/student-voices-im-majoring-in-film-and-television-and-now-im-interning-in-hollywood\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Voices: I\u2019m Majoring in Film and Television and Now I\u2019m Interning in Hollywood"},"content":{"rendered":"

College of Communication and Media<\/a> senior Raciely Rodriguez, a Film and Television<\/a> major, has been selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship program<\/a>. One of just five students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2025 Fall Internship Program, she is working as an editing intern at Geiger Post<\/a>, a leading post-production facility in Hollywood, California.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels surreal and such an honor to know that the same people who vote on the Emmys saw potential in me,\u201d says Rodriguez of being selected for the paid internship. \u201cIt motivates me to push myself creatively and to live up to the high standards of this incredible opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

California Dreamin’ and a Transfer to Montclair<\/h2>\n

Rodriguez, who says she has been editing video since she was 11 years old, always had a passion for the work and a dream to one day go to Los Angeles. That dream may have played a part in leading her to Montclair State University as a transfer student in her junior year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI chose Montclair because of the Semester in L.A. Program<\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201cI was not happy where I was \u2013 not with the school or major \u2013 and knew I wanted to switch to film as my school did not have that option.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not knowing which college in New Jersey had the best film school or programs, Rodriguez did an online search and Montclair was the first to pop up. \u201cI’m happy to say Google did not lie! I looked through the school\u2019s page and the first thing that caught my eye was the Semester in L.A. Program,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been dreaming of L.A. since I was a little kid and as a student, I knew that having an internship would help me with my career,\u201d she explains. \u201cI was so excited I called the Admissions Office right away and asked if transfer students would be able to participate and they said \u2018Yes.\u2019 The rest is history!\u201d<\/p>\n

Expert, Caring Professors<\/h2>\n

Rodriguez, who started at Geiger Post in September, credits the Film and Television program with helping prepare her for the internship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Film and Television program definitely has helped, especially the staff,\u201d she says. \u201cThe professors in the program are like no other \u2013 they truly care about their students and want to help them achieve their goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Roselle, New Jersey, native is especially grateful for the instruction and mentoring of Professor Melissa Rodriguez, \u201cwho helped me succeed in getting my internship at the Television Academy, who taught me everything I know about editing and gave me the confidence in myself to pursue my passion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the many courses in the program, Rodriguez feels she was helped the most by the Introduction to the Control Room and Studio class taught by Professor Vernard Gantt.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe pushed me and the other students to do things we thought we never could achieve,\u201d she says. \u201cHis class is tough and the work is hard but achieving the goals for the class felt incredibly gratifying. He also gave us the opportunity to ask questions about the television world and how we could achieve our goals \u2013 and he would always give us the best advice I could ask for, words I still think of to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advice for Aspiring Film Majors<\/h2>\n

Rodriguez will continue working at her Hollywood internship until December before returning to Montclair to finish out her senior year. \u201cI will be graduating in May of 2026 and very excited, yet sad for leaving the staff and students I’ve grown so fond of.\u201d<\/p>\n

For students thinking about getting involved in the film or television industry, Rodriguez offers some advice: \u201cTalk to your professors \u2013 most, if not all, were in the industry or still are. Ask them how they got their start, what kind of people they talked to, what steps helped them most in their careers. Let them know what your goals are \u2013 the professors love to connect students with industry friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

But most important of all, Rodriguez believes, is passion. \u201cIn film and television, all you need is passion. If you have the passion for it, people will take notice and want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what I have learned so far and I\u2019m happy to say I have the passion so I will keep learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?<\/h2>\n

Prospective Students and Parents:<\/strong> Plan your visit<\/a> and take your first step<\/a> in applying to become a Red Hawk. Learn more about the Film and Television<\/a> program at the College of Communication and Media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Journalists:<\/strong> Contact Media Relations<\/a> for assets or to schedule an interview with faculty or students.<\/p>\n