Senior Film Studies major and Evans Scholar Olivia York is graduating this May with an impressive internship on her resume from Mocean, which produces trailers for unreleased movies and television shows and whose clients include Disney, Marvel, Fox, Warner Bros., Netflix, FX, and CNN. 

York’s internship had her writing scripts for potential trailers from Mocean’s Santa Monica, California, location. First she would watch a film or the first few episodes of a new television series and then write a script based off that. 

“I loved the work that I did because it was very eye-opening and something new that I had never done before,” she said. “It was really a great learning experience and was also very educational for me in terms of figuring out what I want to do.”

York first learned about the internship opportunities at Mocean during a week-long study away to Los Angeles, California, in spring 2019, which led her to apply. Then following her internship with Mocean last summer, she has continued to freelance for the company.

York plans to move to Los Angeles after she graduates to begin her career in the film industry, something she says her MSU education has helped prepare her for.

“I have learned more in the Film Studies program than I could have ever imagined,” she said. “It teaches you how to make ethical films and to be well aware of all of the hard work that goes into this industry. Also, the people here genuinely want to see you succeed and know that you can, and I will always thank MSU for that.”

I have learned more in the Film Studies program than I could have ever imagined…Also, the people here genuinely want to see you succeed and know that you can, and I will always thank MSU for that.

Another thing that has helped York prepare for her career is the photography business she started when she was only 15 years old, in which she photographs portraits for high school seniors, families, and weddings. 

“Photography helps me just use my eyes a lot,” she said. “It is training me to think visually, stay accountable, and is good practice on how to remain professional.”

As an Evans Scholar, York has had her tuition and housing paid in full for all four years at MSU and has lived in a house with 80 other Evans Scholar students during each of those years.