FAQ - Academy Gold Rising | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

Is the Academy Gold Rising program a summer internship?
No. Academy Gold Rising is an internship enhancement program intended to supplement your existing internship experience with a participating company. If you are an intern at the Academy, you are automatically enrolled in the Gold Rising program. If you are participating in the Production Track, you are also automatically enrolled in the program whether or not you have an internship.
What are the program criteria?
Academy Gold Rising criteria include the following:

Must be an active undergraduate or graduate college student
Have an overall 3.0 grade point average
Have a keen interest in the motion picture, television and filmed entertainment field
Exhibit strong written, verbal and problem-solving skills

How many hours do I work as an intern?
Interns who work directly for the Academy will work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Interns through participating companies will need to check with their HR contact to verify the number of hours worked per week, as it may vary from company to company.
Can I participate in this program while I’m interning at another company?
This program is only for participants that are already interning at one of Academy Gold Rising’s partner companies or directly at the Academy. For production track participants, you may participate while having an internship elsewhere.
How do I apply to the Academy Gold Rising program?
You will be selected to participate in the Academy Gold Rising program by the hosting and/or participating company for which you are interning. You will then be sent an official Academy Gold Rising application to be accepted into the program.
When is the deadline to submit my application for program consideration?
Deadline for submission to the Academy Gold Rising program is April 30^th, 2021.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no fee to apply.
In what year of school am I eligible to apply?
Undergraduate or graduate students who are part of the graduating class of 2020, 2021, and 2022 will be given preferred consideration for participation in the program.
Can Academy Gold Rising participants return to the program next summer?
No. At this point in time, the Academy Gold Rising program is a one-year educational experience. However, if you participated previously, you will be invited to join the official Academy Gold Alumni program for further opportunities.
Do I need to have a major in film in order to apply?
No. We strongly encourage those with an aptitude and keen desire to learn and build a career within the film and entertainment industry to apply; previous film courses or declared film majors will be considered accordingly. We will evaluate each candidate based on the criteria outlined in the application process.
Is the personal statement mandatory?
Yes. This is an opportunity to promote yourself as a worthy Academy Gold Rising candidate. We are as interested in how you communicate and what your background and inspirations are as we are in the facts you present.
Does my personal statement need to reach the maximum word count?
Your personal statement should be a minimum of 500 words and reflect your point of view and strong desire to learn and grow within the film, entertainment and media industries.
If I am not a U.S. citizen or attend university abroad, can I be considered?
We are currently considering U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are attending school within the contiguous United States only.
If accepted into Academy Gold Rising, will I be considered an employee of the Academy?
No, you will not be considered an employee. You will be designated as an intern of your participating company, including interns who work directly for the Academy, or as a participant for the Production Track.
When will I find out if I have been accepted into the Academy Gold Rising program?
All applicants will be notified on or before May 10^th as to whether you will be participating in the Academy Gold Rising program.
How long will the Academy Gold Rising program last?
While the Academy Gold Rising program lasts for a period of eight weeks (June 16th - August 7th), the dates and duration of your overall summer internship experience with any one of our participating partners may vary.
At which location will the Academy Gold Rising program will be held?
For 2021, the entire program will take place virtually.
It’s my understanding that this internship program is paid. How will I get paid?
All interns within the Academy Gold Rising program will be paid. Your host company will compensate you for your summer internship and for your participation at the Wednesday evening mandatory Academy Gold Rising events. You will also be compensated by your host company for your participation in the two-day orientation and the closing ceremonies. Please check with your host company to verify your intern pay rate. For Production Track, stipends may be available depending on program funding. More information will be made available to those who are accepted.
What will be expected of me as a participant of the Academy Gold Rising program?
Your active participation and engagement will be a key factor in achieving a successful experience. Other key determining factors will include:

Attendance
Active networking and participation at weekly events
Weekly engagement including volunteer and outreach within the Academy community
A genuine appreciation for and involvement with your fellow participants in the program
Setting yourself up to learn as much as you can when participating in your group project. It's an opportunity to have hands on collaboration with your peers and future fellow alumni.
Post-program participation with your assigned mentor if applicable

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