Eight TFA Students Heading to Summer Internships

The summer of 2014 appears to be a record one for students in SUNY Buffalo State’s Television and Film Arts Program (TFA). Already eight students have landed 10 internships, many of which are paid, with film production companies and other entertainment outlets in New York City and Los Angeles.

The students include: Cassandra Crimmen, Showtime; Dylan Hoffman, NBC Universal; Jack Petrillo, The Levinson/Fontana Company and Market Road Films; Dana Greene, Rooftop Films; Melissa Ruiz, Derrick Simmons Film Works; Nick Ilardi, Jax Media and Leftfield Pictures; Simon O’Keefe, the Custom Family; and Emily Thalmyr, Ishta Productions.

Since 2009, TFA students have secured 43 internships; virtually every one of them has been with an entertainment company in New York or Los Angeles. This is a remarkable number for a film program considering Buffalo State only accepts 15 TFA students per year.

"Internships in the entertainment industry, especially those offered in New York City and LA are some of the most competitive of any field," said Jeffrey Hirschberg, associate professor and TFA director. "And this year we have a record number with some very prestigious entertainment companies. This puts our students that much closer to launching successful careers in the TV and film business when they graduate."