Explore the sports entertainment industry while pursuing a production-based internship in live-sports media
An immersive deep dive into sports entertainment in one of the most vibrant live-sports capitals in the world
The UCLA Film and Television Sports Media Summer Institute immerses students in the world of sports entertainment. In class, students study the intersection of sports and entertainment and gain a critical perspective of the contemporary industry. Students learn how to identify elements of successful content creation that is both entertaining and profitable, as well as analyzing key factors such as audience, programming, marketing strategies, and more. In their internships, students apply those skills “on the ground” and build important relationships with industry professionals.
Film and Television Summer Institute – Sports Media
Internships:
Sports Media students pursue production-based internships at live-sports entertainment companies. Once students are enrolled in the Sports Media Summer Institute, they receive an introductory email from the Summer Institute Internship Coordinator. The coordinator will work closely with each student, helping them to prepare their cover letter, resume, and interview techniques as well as guide them in the internship search process. While our coordinator may have leads for certain internship opportunities, the onus is ultimately on the student to secure an internship. Students may instead complete a research paper to fulfill the curriculum. Internships are six weeks, for the duration of the program.
Students pursue internship opportunities in the Los Angeles area, including internship sites such as UCLA Athletics, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tennis Channel, and Van Wagner, to name a few. Students are responsible for applying for their internships, and our internship coordinator advises and assists students throughout the process. However, because summer is a very competitive season for internships, early registration is recommended to ensure sufficient lead-time for the application process.
Hollywood & The Industry:
As part of the Summer Institute, students tour a major Hollywood movie studio. Networking mixers for students and alumni of all Summer Institute tracks take place during the welcome event as well as the closing night of the program. Students are also invited to attend the TV Writer Pitch Panels and Film Production final screening.
Application deadline: July 27, 2024 | Enrollment deadline: August 2, 2024
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to July 27th, is highly recommended.
Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within two weeks.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
- A personal statement explaining what qualifications you have that make you a good candidate for a film/TV internship (200 words or less)
The Sports Media track is by instructor consent only. To participate, you must apply and receive acceptance into the program. Students will be notified within two weeks of an acceptance decision.
Coursework
Film TV 188A, Film TV 194, Film TV 195; 8 units
Grading Basis
Students will receive separate grades upon completion for each course in this program. Grading types are as follows:
FILM TV 188A: Letter Grading
FILM TV 194 and 195: Pass/No Pass (or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory if you have a Bachelor’s degree)
See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
In order to successfully complete the program, students must not have more than 2 excused or unexcused absences.
Program Dates: August 5 – September 13, 2024 (Optional: Internships may continue through September 20, 2024 if needed and with approval from internship site.)
Program Type: In-person
Program Eligibility: This track is open to continuing undergraduate students (rising junior or senior in Fall 2024) and continuing graduate students only enrolled in a U.S. college or university in Fall 2024. (Note: Junior standing for UCLA is equal to 90 quarter units or above.)
This program is not F-1 eligible.
Application deadline: July 27, 2024
Enrollment deadline: August 2, 2024
The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. Enrolled students will be given updated materials closer to the program start date.
Fees and Payment Info
The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.
Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.
Meet your instructors
Instructors for the UCLA Film and Television Summer Institutes are UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media faculty.
David Goffin
Instructor – FTV 188A Sports MediaDavid Goffin most recently worked for the LA Clippers, creating their first fan section and planning a revolutionary in-game experience for their new arena, the Intuit Dome. He formerly managed all creative and production and still advises WAVE Sports and Entertainment, one of the largest sports content publishers with over 300m subscribers and producers of New Heights, the smash hit Kelce Brothers vodcast.
Prior to WAVE, David was a founding partner in VIMBY (“Video In My Backyard”) a national studio funded by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice) eventually part of MGM/Amazon. He managed VIMBY’s relationship with Walmart and co-created the most successful ad campaign in Walmart’s 54-year history; the famous “Local Basket Claim”.
Prior to VIMBY, Goffin was a Show Creator and Executive Producer with Mark Burnett Productions, Fox Sports and FremantleMedia. With Burnett, he produces the Emmy award-winning adventure race Eco-Challenge and the military special forces competition show Combat Missions. After that, he was hired by FremantleMedia to supervise the production of the first four cycles and all spin-offs of American Idol, which became the biggest reality show in television history. Mark Burnett tapped Goffin to co-create and executive produce Rock Star: INXS, airing 3-night per week on CBS and in 70+ countries and the world’s largest live voting show. Goffin also executive produced with Steven Spielberg the Fox reality competition show On the Lot, Spielberg’s first network television show in 15 years. He worked at Fox Sports Net for 3 years, producing sports all over the United States.
Jessica Rae
Instructor – FTV 194 Internship SeminarJessica Rae is the current Producer for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. She worked her way up from an intern in 2009 to her current role with the company, curating and managing in-game elements and entertainment. She also works as a Producer for Van Wagner Productions, producing various sports at UCLA including Men’s Basketball and Gymnastics. She also has a decade of experience stage managing for a variety of sporting venues and events with the Tennis Channel, Golden Boy Boxing Productions, and many others.
Jessica is also an award-winning director whose films explore character driven chronicles and explodes stereotypes. She weaves together the stories of women on a mission and smart girls and boys who break open played out molds, crafting her tales through drama, comedy, and sometimes a hint of magical realism. Jessica grew up on the mean streets of Minneapolis, to a white orphaned mother and an absent Mexican father in a minority, working-class neighborhood four blocks from where George Floyd was murdered. She’s not a stranger to hard work and hustle, because where she comes from there was no option to fail. Most of her friends either got pregnant, went to jail, or simply never left home. Her mission as a filmmaker is to fill in the gaps of those stories being told about her community right now, the ones missing the most important part of their truths. She also strives to create new stories and spaces to celebrate her people in ways they’ve never been seen on screen before.
Jessica’s feature film, RAISE YOUR HAND, takes us on a best friend journey of two girls in the 90s, living generational curses and aching for ways to escape. The film has screened at many festivals including the Studio City International Film & TV Festival, where it won Best Director, Best Actress, The Social Justice Award, and Best Film of the Decade.
Early in her career, Jessica was mentored by J.J. Abrams as a part of his Bad Robot Diversity Fellowship program. He opened the door for her to cut her teeth as a PA and also funded a short film innovation program, where she dove headfirst into a world of VFX, SPFX, and animation.
Jessica has taught directing at universities in both Mexico and California and holds an MFA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television and a BFA in Theater Directing from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She lives in Los Angeles with her dog Indi, and they are both small and scrappy.
Film and Television Summer Institute – Sports Media FAQ
Qualified students may sign up for more than one Film and Television program as long as the dates do not overlap.
Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Sports Media program is intended for beginning and intermediate levels.
Students will need to check with their academic counselor to see if the coursework included in the program will count towards their graduation requirements or if credit will transfer to their home institution. For UCLA students, courses may fulfill a major or minor requirement, or count as upper-division course credit.
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.