The Documentary Research Internship provides an opportunity to assist in the research and development of JOHN HENRY: THE UNMASKING OF AMERICA’S REAL FIRST SUPERHERO, an independent, investigative-style historical feature documentary exploring the origin story and legacy of John Henry—the legendary “steel-drivin’ man” from the Jim Crow era immortalized in countless folk songs and stories—from Black work song to labor superstar to American superhero. With the participation of leading thinkers, musicians and artists, the film examines issues of mythmaking, industrialization, racial exploitation, cultural appropriation and Black masculinity, and interrogates how a mythic Black figure wielding a hammer in the afterlife of slavery became an American hero.
The student intern will assist in identifying, collecting and organizing primary- and secondary-source content and archival research in support of a National Endowment for the Humanities Media Projects Production Grant application, which includes a proposal narrative, story treatment and video sample reel. The work includes skimming and reading texts for relevant information, images and interpretations of historical material related to John Henry the man, the music written about him, and the myths about this African American railroad laborer known for allegedly winning a contest to drive steel over a steam-powered rock-drilling machine. Other content and archival research will include contextual material drawing from various disciplines and areas of scholarship including African American studies, American Studies, labor history, radical politics, gender studies, anthropology, performance studies, music and folklore. Additionally, the student intern will engage in feedback sessions with the team.
Working onsite at The Film Posse offices in Middletown, Connecticut the intern will learn to navigate and manage complex research and administrative processes using web-based tools including FileMakerPro (database), Teamwork (project management), Dropbox (file storage) and Google Workplace (email and document creation). The student will receive regular feedback, which will be assessed based on their effort, including on-time arrival to the workplace and a strong work ethic, as well as the student’s ability to execute the assigned tasks with the necessary thoroughness and attention to detail.
This internship is divided into two sessions:
- Session 1: 4 weeks – June 3rd to June 30th
- Session 2: 4 weeks – July 8th to August 2nd
Students can apply to ONE or BOTH of the sessions. Preference will be given to students who can work both sessions. When you apply, you MUST indicate the session or sessions for which you are applying. If you apply to do both, the company will be on hiatus July 1-5, 2024 so that will also be a hiatus for the internship.