Cinema Production Major Tiffany Walker Gaining Hands-On Experience as Dream Big Studio Intern at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Student Profile
Meet Tiffany Walker
- Job Title & Employer
- Dream Big Studio Intern, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Major/Program
- Cinema Production
- Graduation
- April 2021
- College Activities
- Point Park Singers, Pioneer Ambassador, WPPJ
- Scholarships
- Artistic Achievement, Sam Miller Scholarship
- Hometown
- Boswell, Pa.
- High School
- North Star High School
- Hobbies & Interests
- Reading, acting, singing, writing, drawing and painting
“I’ve been so impressed with Tiffany’s experience she’s acquired at Point Park University. This has been evident by her readiness to jump right into studio operations during live and recorded shows. She needed very little teaching/training on how to operate studio equipment. In addition to her technical skills, I’ve been impressed with her improv and voice acting. On her first day, a patient assigned her an acting part and she jumped right in with fantastic acting skills.”
"I chose Point Park University because I loved the creative and inviting atmosphere. I saw stills of films made by cinema arts students and I was impressed by the professional quality. I knew as an aspiring filmmaker/artist that Point Park would be a perfect fit for what I wanted to do. I also knew that I would be able to get hands-on experience within my first year and that was something special that really stuck out to me."
What steps did you take to secure your internship?
I applied for the internship and accepted the opportunity when I was offered the position. After that, I had to get medical clearances, a background check and additional clearances to work with children. After the process of getting all of the proper clearances, I was able to secure the position and begin the internship.
What is the Dream Big Studio and what are your key responsibilities as an intern?
The Dream Big Studio is an independent television and radio studio within UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The studio is used for creative and expressive arts therapy with young patients. My key responsibilities include assisting in live shows as well as pre-recorded productions, editing video content, developing and implementing show ideas and co-hosting shows with children.
How are you applying what you have learned as a cinema production major to this internship?
I’m applying the knowledge I have gained as a cinema production major by delving deeper into each element of the production process. I use what I know about the pre-production process to help develop ideas and concepts for shows. I use knowledge of the production process with what I have learned about directing, sound and cinematography to direct projects, set up lavalier microphones on the talent and then light and shoot shows. I also am able to use my knowledge of the post-production process to edit the footage and work more with sound.
Why did you choose Point Park University?
I chose Point Park University because I loved the creative and inviting atmosphere. I saw stills of films made by cinema arts students and I was impressed by the professional quality. I knew as an aspiring filmmaker/artist that Point Park would be a perfect fit for what I wanted to do. I also knew that I would be able to get hands-on experience within my first year and that was something special that really stuck out to me.
What advice do you have for a student considering Point Park?
I would advise any student who is considering Point Park to definitely go for it! Point Park is an amazing school that offers special opportunities to all majors, and it is a place that really feels like home!