UT Documentary Center | The University of Texas at Austin

July 4 – August 4, ITVS, San Francisco

ITVS is a powerhouse in the documentary world and a great place to work for a month. My workweek was split between various departments, where I learned about Outreach, Broadcasting, and the production of their PTV strand, Independent Lens. With the other interns I also helped sort and process the nearly 500 applications ITVS received for their July Open Call. The sheer number and variety of the applications was an education in itself; as was reading applications when time permitted.

The staff at ITVS is friendly and young, and the workplace is dynamic. Plus, they have five different kinds of recycling containers in the kitchen! How cool is that? And any description of ITVS would be incomplete without mention of their extensive media library–if watching docs is your thing, ITVS is heaven. The first time I walked into the main dvd library I couldn’t help but giggle as I read the titles on the shelves–doc after doc I had wanted to see for ages but missed on TV or couldn’t find on DVD.

My four-day workweek left me with plenty of time to explore the city and environs. It was a real treat for this Texas girl to get to experience all the history and attractions of Fog City–especially during a July when the folks back home were suffering through day after 100-degree day. Many thanks to the Documentary Center for the opportunity!

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