InternViews: Andrew Caldwell

InternViews is a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their internship experience.

Andrew Caldwell, an entertainment and media studies major, works as a production intern for Adult Swim Studios in Atlanta. Read more about his internship experience below.

Provide a brief overview of your role and its associated responsibilities. 

I am a production intern at Adult Swim Studios this summer! I have been placed on the series “Smiling Friends”, assisting with the production of its third season, which is set to premiere in the fall. My position entails editing through rough footage, setting up scene packs and sending this footage to animators overseas to expedite the animation process. As episodes are finalized, I perform script confirmation to match the dialogue and actions in the finished product to the script.

What opportunities do you have in your internship?

I have had the opportunity to work in Adult Swim’s headquarters in Atlanta, a building rich with history. Storyboards, props and original sketches from showrunners dating back more than two decades litter the office’s hallways and drawers. I have gained more insight into the animation process at the professional level, as well as some of the very unique ways “Smiling Friends” is made to create its distinct style. But most importantly, I have had the joy of working with a team that is extremely passionate about animation. I’ve been able to pick the brains of producers, animators and members of specialized teams such as legal experts. My work on the show will earn me a credit on some of the third season’s episodes—”Smiling Friends” is one of my favorite series, so being able to contribute to it in a meaningful way feels amazing.

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

The Grady curriculum has given me experience working together with a group of people to meet deadlines. This Adult Swim position entails constant Teams messages, emails and impromptu production meetings. Communication is constant, and I never know who I’ll be working with to complete a given assignment, quite similar to the structure of my entertainment and media studies classes. The writers’ room club has also prepared me substantially for this kind of setting! Additionally, programs like Adobe Premiere, Animate and Final Draft that I became familiar with in my classes and writers’ room are essential for this position.

Did you receive any mentorship or guidance? How did it impact your experience? 

Absolutely! I must thank Dr. Jay Hamilton for introducing me to Jason Heslep (ABJ ’11), UGA alum and current senior production manager at Adult Swim. Jason offered me guidance during the long interview process and continues to guide me on the job. And of course, I wouldn’t be here without each of my EMST professors. They have not only lectured me on how to navigate the entertainment industry, but have also impacted my creative and visual storytelling skills. While on the job, I work closely with my manager, Zach White, as he shares his experiences in the animation industry.

What challenges have you overcome in this role? 

I’ve admired the Adult Swim studio, the people who work there and the content it produces for most of my life. So, grappling with the fact that I actually have an internship there now has been its own sort of challenge. Do I deserve to be on a team that so many talented animators are a part of? How could I possibly make an impact? That feeling was pretty strong during my first couple of weeks. But eventually, I began to see that the work I was doing for the show was truly helping the “Smiling Friends” staff and making production move along smoothly. I overcame this self-doubt by realizing that I was truly making a difference on a beloved show, and by recognizing that everyone on a production staff is one part of a larger whole.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you gained from your experience? 

The most valuable piece of advice I gained from my experience is to truly love your work. The more passionate you are about the project you’re working on, the company you’re working for or any related products, the more you’ll have to talk about with your managers and coworkers. Small talk with these coworkers can help you get to know them better as people, and who knows what you may learn as you talk to them about their past experiences and skills. 

How has this internship influenced your future career? 

Working on animated projects is the end goal for my career—it has been for as long as I can remember. That’s exactly what I’m doing on this internship, meaning that it has been a massive step forward. The experience I’ve gained as part of the “Smiling Friends” team will allow me to be a more valuable asset on future animated productions. I’ve made valuable connections that are sure to last in this small, close-knit field. And as a result of learning more about all the moving parts of such a production, I have a better idea of what path I should take to reach my dream position.

Editor: Lily Alarcon, lia52467@uga.edu