Zayne Shalabi

Major: Film and Video

Intern at StarMaker Casting Agency

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I learned about this internship opportunity through family connections.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

My advice is to prioritize in-person connection with recruiters and organizations rather than online applications, as it provides an opportunity for you to showcase your personality and skills. Whether it is career fairs or sending a personalized email to a company that interests you, I believe you have a better chance of successfully landing an internship in this way.

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

Throughout my time at StarMaker Casting Agency, I was able to participate in meetings with local talent (actors, filmmakers, producers, and more), edit acting showreels, and select photoshoot images for the company's website profiles. In addition to these tasks, I aided in the casting of local Jordanian television shows and commercial projects.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

This internship developed both my technical and soft skills related to filmmaking and casting, such as photo and video editing, effective communication across language barriers, teamwork, and adaptation. While I have family in Jordan, it was still difficult to live in an unfamiliar place. Being able to immerse myself in another country allowed me to understand the cultural and logistical aspects of international filmmaking. Being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue applied to my internship by providing me with a film portfolio and previous technical experience, which allowed me to succeed in this professional setting.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

The Job-Ready program allowed me to travel across the globe and take advantage of this unique internship opportunity, which also allowed me to learn more about my family heritage and improve my Arabic skills. This aided my professional development through cross-cultural collaboration on casting projects and exposure to the filmmaking industry abroad. This has expanded my perspective as a filmmaker. The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported my internship journey through the financial support of the Job-Ready program, as well as academic support and guidance from my film professors.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

A standout aspect of my experience in the Job-Ready program was collaborating with individuals who had worked on some of my favorite films, such as Dune and The Martian. Hearing about their experiences working on these large, big-budget sets was encouraging and exciting for me as an aspiring filmmaker.