Intern
Our Planet TV
Job Location: Tokyo, Japan
Employment Date: Semester Long
Work Schedule: Full-time
Salary: Unpaid
Organization Description:
OurPlanet
TV (OPTV) is an alternative media non-profit webcast station with no
religious or political affiliations. It was founded by a group of
producers, video journalists and other media professionals who
questioned the way mainstream media covered 9.11 and the events that
followed. It was formally incorporated as a non-profit entity in April
2005.
OurPlanet-TV's
aim is to create space for independent video and web journalism on
social and community issues. Through our production, webcasting, and
training initiatives, OPTV strives to ensure "public access to media"
and a reflection of diverse views and opinions. OPTV makes original
video programs about Peace, Environment, Human Rights, and Education
with diverse perspectives.
OPTV's
aim is to create space for independent and unique video and web
journalism on social and community issues that may be purposefully or
accidentally passed over by mainstream media. OPTV strives to encourage
non-profit and socially responsible initiatives including:
- Raising public awareness through the webcast of programs on social responsibility initiatives
- Fostering partnerships by coordinating joint media projects such as video documentaries
- Providing training in media skills through workshops that target individuals and organizations that engage in social causes.
Job Description:
· Interns
will be supervised by staff working directly with the projects. Interns
are expected to participate in Our Planet TV's video documentary
planning and production projects. In addition to basic office work,
interns may assist with the following:
1. Our
Planet TV produces regular programming on nonprofit activities in
Japan. These are team projects including other student interns and
volunteers, most of whom are Japanese. Possible roles include
reporter/interviewer, camera operation and editing.
2. The
intern is also encouraged to independently plan and produce his/her own
program (“Views from an intern”) for webcasting during the course of
the internship. Opportunities to learn/improve production skills will be
provided through Our Planet TV’s regular workshops (see workshop
outline below).
· Other possible assignments:
1) Events:
Past events have included the 5th anniversary celebration in October
2006 and the Torch Project screening in March 2007. Interns may also be
asked to work with bilingual volunteers to motivate non-Japanese
speakers to participate in Our Planet TV’s activities.
2) Outreach to the international community in Tokyo and beyond:
Our Planet TV’s current audience is predominantly Japanese. We would
like to expand our network of volunteers to the international community
by enhancing our English language website and increasing participation
in production work. The intern is encouraged to develop contacts that
would help Our Planet TV expand its constituency.
3) Translation:
Translating narratives of Our Planet TV’s existing work into English.
Work will be supervised by a professional. Language skills will be
assessed before assigning this task.
4) Website: English language website development and editing.
5) Research and analysis:
Writing a paper on alternative/grassroots media (e.g. a comparative
study of alternative media in the U.S. and Japan). Presenting findings
at an internship wrap-up meeting.
6) Workshops:Our Planet TV’s hands-on workshops are typically open to about twelve people with diverse perspectives.
· OurPlanet-TV
hopes to gain various perspectives from individuals various
backgrounds, including those from the international community. Through
participation in Our Planet-TV's internships, interns are encouraged to
provide various ideas and opinions, which may lead to more effective and
creative journalism. Our Planet-TV and its interns may be able to
create the change that traditional media cannot. An intern's
participation in developing the English website is also important, as
Our Planet-TV is currently trying to provide its video programming to
non-Japanese speakers, within and outside of Japan.
· Additional notes specific to each internship term:
- January 2010-June 2010 - 2 terms long
*February: Documentary film screening event - January 2010-April 2010 - 1 term long
*February: Documentary film screening event - April 2010-September 2010 - 2 terms long
*June: Media Study Camp - September-December 2010 - 1 term long
*September: Alternative media festival in Japan
*November: Yamagata Documentary Film Festival
Qualifications: Communications,
International Studies, Japanese language and history, media, film,
Journalism, Asia studies, Intercultural/multicultural studies
Required:
1. 4th year Japanese or equivalent. 2. Strong interest in independent
journalism. 3. Good understanding of Japan (history, society, economy,
politics, current events) and, most importantly, a strong desire to
learn more about Japan. 4. Willingness to share intern's lessons from
previous experience and studies with the Our Planet TV's staff in a
constructive manner. 5. Good computer skills, including Microsoft
Office. Adobe Illustrator and Premier are preferred. 6. Able to work as
part of a team, but also independently. Self-starter: willingness and
ability to generate and implement new ideas.
Preferred:
1. Experience in video or web journalism. 2. Web-building skills. 3.
Interest in alternative media trends in the U.S. 4. Interest in
nonprofit organizations.
Interns will be asked to join events that often take place on weekends. Dress: Business casual.
Language Ability Needed: English fluency with 4th year Japanese OR Japanese fluency with conversational English
Duration of Internship: January to March. April to July, or September to December