Nicole Rola is a Production Assistant at DreamWorks Animation. Prior to her animation career, she attended Woodbury University in Burbank, where she got a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Animation. As a college student, Nicole landed a couple of awesome internships in the animation industry.
Nicole got her start with Nickelodeon as an Production Intern where she worked on the hugely popular show, The Legend of Korra. After her time at Nick, she interned at Cartoon Network as an Production Assistant Intern for the show Steven Universe.
Find out more about Nicole's story, how she got these animation internships as a college student, and how to set your application apart from the rest. Also be sure to check out how to get a Pixar Internship video below!
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Nicole Rola and I am a Production Assistant at Dreamworks TV Animation.
What college did you attend and what was your major? Do you think this helped you with your pursuit in the entertainment industry?
I attended Woodbury University, a small private school in Burbank where I got a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Animation. I do think it helped a lot in getting me to where I am now.
When did you know you wanted to be in the entertainment/animation industry and what events led you to choose it?
When I saw a bumper on Nickelodeon showing what it was like to work in their studio, I knew I wanted to work there. I love making people laugh, love animation, and knew I wanted to love my job. The environment that was portrayed there looked like heaven to come to work to. It did not look like work, it looked like fun.
Has anyone/anything inspired you to follow your passion for entertainment/animation? What/who?
I would say my cousins inspired me to love comedy. Growing up, my cousins and I were always joking around, I felt like we were a real life sitcom. I always aspired to be as funny as them and make people smile and laugh. I loved telling stories and teamwork which led me to animation.
How did you land the Internship at Nickelodeon Animation Studio? What did you do?
One day when I was a college freshman, I saw the Nickelodeon booth at an internship fair at school. It was like seeing the real life Santa Claus. I was not allowed to apply at the time, as an underclassman. When I was a junior I was itching to apply. I wrote the craziest cover letter where I pretty much said, “IloveSpongebobIloveNickelodeonIloveSpongebob” a million times. I had a Woodbury alum and former Nicktern read over my cover letter. Thankfully, he truthfully said I came off as a fangirl. I revised it to be more professional with just enough fan-girliness to showcase my personality. I wanted them to feel how much I wanted to be there.
How was the application and interview process like?
The HR interns at Nick sort the resume and cover letters then call the promising ones for phone interviews. I remember waking up to a phone call, blurry-eyed and croaky-throated. Trying to seem as prepared as possible, I answered genuinely and positively and we actually hit it off great. My interviewer and I are still friends to this day. Your resume is then passed along and the Production Manager of a show calls to set up an in-person interview. I was as nervous as the dickens but I think I managed to make a good impression.
What do you think set your application apart from others?
When interviewing me, the PM (Production Manager) confessed he never read anything like my cover letter before. I had actually compared my work habits to Spongebob’s and even quoted him. I was glad he took my letter well because I wrote a lot of heart and personality into it, which I think set my cover letter apart. There are so many capable people trying to get their foot in the door. To set yourself apart, I think you have to show who you are. It is a people industry after all.
Any advice to students applying to the Nickelodeon internship program?
My advice is to be yourself. Like I said, the animation industry is a people industry. Everyone knows that every applicant is hard-working, detail oriented and other resume hot words. Employers are looking for good fits personalities that will gel into their show’s culture. With that, if you don’t get accepted don’t give up. Timing is everything.
Any advice to students who just got accepted into the internship program that you wish you had known?
Be positive and genuine, always. They’ll say the whole internship is a job interview. And it really is. Make quality connections, over quantity of connections. Learn as much as you can about everything. Participate and say yes to things. Also, once you’re at the internship, don’t eat a bagel every day. It’s free and free is awesome, but I wish I knew this back then: Bread makes you fat.
How was the internship experience overall?
Overall, it was a dream come true. It was a lot of hard work staying upbeat all the time with juggling school, making a film, and an internship. But, I was thankful for every day I was there.
You interned on the show, The Legend of Korra? How was that!?
It made me feel very special. I remember having my cubicle location was right next to industry legends Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery. I looked up to them and was a fan of their work for so long, it was incredible to work so closely to them. The whole crew was so talented and friendly, I felt very lucky to help out a great team. It was also crazy because I got to watch animatics of episodes that hadn’t come out yet. It was torture not to discuss it, but thankfully, Korra had two interns and I got to geek out with my intern partner about it!
Best part about being a Nicktern?
Meeting all the cool people. I learned a lot about the process of making an animated TV show, but I also learned a lot about being the best person you can be from a lot of awesome people.
After the Nickelodeon Internship, you scored an internship with Cartoon Network as an Production Assistant Intern. What show did you work on and what did you do? Was there a difference of responsibilities between the two studios?
I was lucky enough to intern for Steven Universe. The studios differ in personality and set up, it was sort of a struggle to adjust to the new expectations of Cartoon Network. I had a lot more responsibility on Steven, which was great! What the two internships share was the opportunity of meeting awesome people!
How was the application and interview process like for Cartoon Network?
The process was a little less nerve-wracking since I had done it before. There’s an online application where you submit a cover letter and resume, then an in-person interview from a specific show’s Production Manager.
What do you think set your application apart from others?
What helped me in this case was knowing someone who worked there. My visual development professor worked for a Cartoon Network show and he recommended me to the person I interviewed with. As I said it’s a people industry: people will work with people they hear good things about, from those they trust. If someone can recommend you, that’ll get you far.
Nickelodeon Animation Internship for College Students
Any advice to students applying to the Cartoon Network internship program?
Do your research on the show and person you are set to interview with. Really know the company; it shows your interest and enthusiasm toward the place you want to work with!
Any advice to students who just got accepted into the internship program that you wish you had known?
Don’t be intimidated if people don’t come to you. The Nickternship was more open door and outwardly friendly. At Cartoon Network, the atmosphere is quieter which may be more intimidating. But once you make an effort to get to know people, everyone is just as friendly. The Cartoon Network doesn’t hold your hand as much, they let you create your own experiences.
How was the internship experience overall?
Again, a dream come true. I was surrounded by so many talented people and learned so much about different roles and how another show operated. I got to interview with someone whose position I aspired to have one day, which is priceless information. I also got to show my work to a lot of people during what they call Intern Pitch Week. It was scary but liberating to show colleagues what I can do.
Now, you are a Production Assistant for the TV Division at DreamWorks Animation Studios. Can you tell me more about this experience?
Oh my goodness! Have I said it’s a dream come true? I work hard on a great show with a team I am proud to be a part of. I learn everyday and try to prove myself worthy of being there by bringing my best game to the table.
The Splat Nickelodeon created by Eric Bravo Photography
What are the cultural differences between the three major animation studios you have worked at: Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and DreamWorks?
Nickelodeon was more structured and corporate, but still fun and friendly.
Cartoon Network was more shy and reserved, but still open once I took initiative to open doors for myself.
DreamWorks is a studio that knows how to work hard and play hard.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to be in the animatic editing. I love putting the big picture together and timing things out. Hopefully, animating my own short stuff on the side.
What is your dream project?
I am working on a dream project! I have a feeling what I’m helping on will become legendary. Maybe one day I can experience a comedy based board driven show though.
What has been your proudest moment thus far?
I’m pretty proud of the shorts I helped make in college. I hope I can make more for myself or with a team.
Best advice you can give your past self knowing what you know now?
Don’t stress out too much. You’re not perfect and you’re allowed to make mistakes and be you. Don’t compare yourself to others too much. Learn from your mistakes and be in competition with your past self. Everyone is on their own path.
Favorite animated film and/or TV show?
So many… I’ll say Lion King for film and TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Any work you would like to share? Website, blog, or tumblr?
Here is a short I did. I need to make more!
My tumblr: http://nicolerola.tumblr.com/
And my lame blog heh: http://nicolerola.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading, and thanks Eric!
Read about other intern's experience working on "Marketing in Animation" and "How to Get Into Animation Without an Animation Background."
Find more interviews here.
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