Meet a VC Summer Intern: Joey Scher

Learn about one of our 2016 VC Summer Interns, Joey Scher, our Archives Intern.

Area of Study: 
Film/Video/New Media/Animation & Fiber Material Studies at School of Art Institute of Chicago

What kinds of jobs / What professional fields are you interested in?
Film theory, film critique, video art, teaching

Why did you apply to be an intern at Visual Communications? 
I applied to VC because I had never heard of the organization and was in disbelief that it was real. An organization going on 50 years of supporting filmmakers of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent...whaaat?! 

What were some projects and tasks that you did as an intern?
I reinvigorated the VC Archive by watching an assortment of VC films and then highlighted them on Instagram and Facebook. I also worked on transforming the printed editions of VC newspapers called IN FOCUS into a more contemporary webpage on the VC website entitled “LATEST NEWS,” which includes filmmaker profiles and a commentary section. 

What were some projects and tasks that you did during the VC summer screenings?
I helped photoshop place cards for the “Uprooted From the Scenes” screening and worked the MELE MURALS event. 

What did you learn while working as a VC intern?
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can make beautiful films without whitewashed Hollywood. Sounds obvious, but I needed a community of people to reinforce this and help me make strides as a filmmaker of color. It was beyond a workplace, it was a second home.

Tell us about meeting and working with the LAAPFF Staff and other VC Summer Interns.
It was empowering to be working side by side with other compassionate and brilliant staff/intern members. The office was filled with positive energy.

How did your VC experience compare with your expectations? 
Exceeded far beyond my expectations. There are very few job places where you feel this comfortable.  

Which directors or films did you learn about or discover as a result of your time at VC this summer? 
I had the great pleasure of having a rich conversation with Quyen Nguyen-Le, the filmmaker of NUOC. It was incredible to be face-to-face with a powerful artist who so articulately explained their film.

What did you enjoy about your experience?
I enjoyed the amount of passion that the staff/interns shared and the inclusivity in the office. 

Would you recommend this internship to others? Why?
I would recommend this position to anyone interested in the film industry but discouraged by the limitations of Hollywood.

What will you be doing now after your internship?
Going back to Chicago!