Introducing Girasol!
My name is Girasol Azul “Bleu” Villatoro, and I am an Executive & Development Intern at Reel Works. I am an undergraduate at the University of Rochester majoring in Digital Media Studies, interning for the Spring 2024 semester as part of their Art New York Program. This internship with Reel Works is my first experience in the professional world; before this, I had never had a job opportunity or internship role. As a first generation Latina student with creative career aspirations, I am relieved to be in a vibrant inclusive and supportive community here at Reel Works. Here’s a bit about my experience so far!
I found out about Reel Works through a recommendation from my program manager. I was very excited about the organization because of my budding interest in storytelling through film and Reel Work’s mission to diversify the media industry by fostering emerging talent. I didn’t know what to expect, and initially, I was a little nervous/anxious about the experience as a whole. However, the Development and Communications team took me in and treated me great. They are providing a seamless transition, and I’m becoming integrated into the workflow with the different projects I am assigned.
During my time interning here, I’ve gained a good understanding of the way the organization operates, from watching John (Reel Works, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer) converse with Fellows excited about their upcoming projects to learning about the inner workings of a non-profit and how the different parts of the whole come together. The scope of the organization, as a whole I am getting, has been what intrigues me most about my role. Seeing the planning, production and execution come together and directly impact the youth that participate is amazing. It’s been incredibly inspiring to me as a witness and young adult with creative ambitions, to understand there are resources and people that want to help make dreams come true. My creative goals and ambitions to film score have moved me to get involved with an AVID media composer training program during my time here.
Along with the experiences and technical skills I am gaining, interning at Reel Works has also proved to be a very valuable opportunity for me in terms of things I am learning about the professional world. Many of the day-to-day projects assigned to me have opened me up to a new way of approaching organization, concision, and managing a workload. There is so much more for me to learn, and I’m grateful I’m getting a start with Reel Works.
Stay tuned for upcoming profiles of our Spring 2024 interns!