Screenwriting Major Gaining Professional Experience as Artistic Intern for Production with Pittsburgh CLO Student Profile
Meet Rania Draklellis
- Job Title & Employer
- Artistic Intern for Production, Pittsburgh CLO
- Major/Program
- Screenwriting-B.F.A.
- Graduation
- April 2020
- College Activities
- Office of Student Life, Cinema Arts Ambassador
- Scholarships
- Point Park University Grant, Artistic Achievement
- Hometown
- Allentown, Pa.
- High School
- Emmaus High School
- Hobbies & Interests
- Writing, reading, listening to podcasts
“Rania’s experience writing and analyzing screenplays has made her a perceptive and empathetic reader – great qualities in an artistic intern. She’s able to balance her own creativity with a discerning eye and to see work from an audience member’s point of view. She’s also a strong writer, a clear communicator both digitally and in person, and a team player who is willing to contribute to macro and micro projects, whether monitoring auditions or scanning scripts. Those qualities may be inherent (or thanks to good parenting!), but they are really honed in an undergraduate program.”
"Point Park’s cinema arts department was the only undergraduate film program I applied to that focused solely on narrative filmmaking and storytelling. Being in a narrative program gives me the space to really flex my creativity, learn from my mistakes and grow as an artist."
What are your key responsibilities as an intern at the Pittsburgh CLO?
Since we’re between auditions right now, my main focus is reading new script submissions and writing coverages for them. I read what writers submit to the CLO, then I give my thoughts on it to my supervisor. From there, works are either considered for development or passed. When auditions come around, I’m organizing audition sides, copying music and assisting in any way I can to make that tedious process go a little smoother.
In what ways has your Point Park experience prepared you for this internship?
Screenwriters are required to take Story Analysis, which basically answers the question: “What are entry-level jobs in the film/television industry I can snake my way into with my very ambiguous screenwriting degree?” In that class (taught by Kevin Cramer, part-time instructor, one of the best professors I’ve ever had) we learned all about writing script coverages, marketing yourself as a writer, making a resume and how to advocate for yourself and your art. Story Analysis bridges the gap between being an artist and professional and how to harness your writing skills in a professional/secure setting.
Outside the classroom, my experience working in the Office of Student Life has given me the crucial skills needed to succeed in any workplace.
Why did you choose Point Park University?
Point Park’s cinema arts department was the only undergraduate film program I applied to that focused solely on narrative filmmaking and storytelling. Being in a narrative program – as opposed to a commercially-driven broadcast program – gives me the space to really flex my creativity, learn from my mistakes and grow as an artist. Commercial programs don’t create spaces for that artistic growth.
What advice do you have for a student considering Point Park?
Study what you are passionate about. It doesn’t have to make sense to other people, it just has to make sense to you.