Documentary & Filmmaking Externship 

STAGE Lab

Mentor

Sunanda Prabhu Gaunkar, PhD Director of Science, STAGE (Scientists, Technologists & Artists Generating Exploration)
Nancy Kawalek Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Science and Technology, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Background

STAGE — Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration — is a full-scale laboratory embedded within the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME). At the helm of one of the PME’s four core research themes, that of “Arts, Sciences and Technology,” the STAGE Lab’s distinct research focuses on creating and developing new theatre and film work inspired by science and technology. Rather than science lectures disguised as plays, these are emotionally engaging, entertaining stories designed to capture the public’s imagination and stimulate interest in science and technology.

Externship Description

This 10-week STAGE externship is for PhD candidates and postdoctoral scholars with previous experience in the art and science of filmmaking. Externs will work closely with STAGE mentors and a dedicated team of undergraduate students on Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist, a professional film project with a focus on storytelling, science communication, and filmmaking. Each episode of Curiosity takes us into the lab and the life of a scientist. The series explores what motivates and is involved in choosing a career in science, what inspires scientific investigation, and the nature of curiosity itself. This is a team-driven project that requires a willingness to explore a non-traditional method of filmmaking. Specifically, we use the scientific process as a model for our filmmaking process; we are invested in the exploratory process as much as we are in the outcome.

Objectives

Depending on alignment with skills and interest, the Extern(s) will work on one or more of the following projects:

• Music composition (interest in Jazz, R&B, Soul, Blues)
• Animation (traditional frame by frame animation, experience with Clip Studio Paint or Procreate is a plus)
• Cinematography (handheld and with video capabilities)
• Documentary Editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or equivalent software)
• Post-production (color correction, color grading, sound correction on Pro Tools or equivalent software)
• Creating training modules for production gear and methods

Qualifications

• Graduate student, PhD student, or postdoctoral scholar.
• Candidates will have a strong interest in science, theater, and trained in one or more of the skills listed above.
• Able to commit at least 10 hours per week for 10 weeks on independent research, as well as team meetings and work sessions.
• Able to attend weekly Zoom meetings or in-person check-ins.
• Externs should be comfortable working independently and have excellent time management and interpersonal skills.