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About Jola

About JoLa

JoLa Films, Inc. (JoLa) is a family-owned business primarily run by Tonya Thomas  -  a former TV producer and film studio marketing research executive with several years of nonprofit programming experience.

 

Over the years, JoLa has been contracted to develop and facilitate a variety of projects related to programming, including casting for VH1’s TV show, “My True Crime Story,” developing and managing a service-learning/work readiness program for over 400 first-year students from SUNY College at Old Westbury, producing a Public Service Announcement for NYS, developing curriculum for a film-marketing course for Digital Film Academy, providing workshops for a work readiness/life-skills program for youth participating in the Urban League of Long Island Summer Youth Program, and for residents at Eager to Serve - a residential facility providing wraparound services for children and families.

 

Currently, the staff is engaged in planning and development activities related to launching JoLa's first cohort of its new JoLa Youth Work Readiness Program.

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JoLa is about...fostering shared creative learning experiences for youth, partners, and community members while creating a pipeline to internships and careers with growth potential in the TV and Film industries.

Mission & Vision

Mission

Our mission is to promote the upward mobility of young people of color and other historically marginalized and underrepresented youth ages 14-24 through the facilitation of a college and career readiness program that includes soft and hard skills training, work readiness workshops, panel discussions, mentorship, and job shadowing/internships - all linked to the TV and Film industries.


Through our network of industry partners and the training and establishment of a cadre of storytellers and content creators, we endeavor to develop/produce/acquire/market, and distribute media & film content that entertains, informs, inspires, and moves audiences.

Vision

Our vision is to run a media company that successfully: 

  • Runs a Youth Work Readiness Program which increases youth awareness of the plethora of career options available in the Film and TV industries

  • Provides a unique experience and several of the tools needed to help prepare hundreds of youth - from some of Long Islands' most under-resourced communities - for the world of work

  • Builds a pipeline to viable career-building opportunities, in the film and television industries

  • Produces TV and film programming, and supports innovative storytellers and content creators from marginalized communities, by providing access to resources for the completion of their projects

What We're About

What We Do

Who We Are

Our Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Executive Team

Our Advisors

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Sandra Altiné
Partnerships

Partnership

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Internship Opportunity
Internship Opportunity

JoLa 
Youth Work Readiness Program

 CALLING A FEW GREAT INTERNS!

 

JoLa Films, Inc. a media & film programming company located on Long Island, is seeking interns for its Youth Work Readiness Program. See the What We're About / JoLa Youth Work Readiness Program page for information on the program. 

All selected interns will learn about the inner workings of running a small TV/Film production studio.  Interns will not only engage in an internship orientation/training session, that will include work readiness training, but they will also learn to perform tasks related to:
 

Scheduling, Management and Social Media Posting

Camera Operation, Setting-up & Using Sound and Lighting Equipment

Editing Content Using Premiere Editing Software 

The Supervision of Youth Participating in the JoLa Youth Work Readiness Program

All interns are expected to be prompt and on time, dress professionally (business casual), exude maturity, maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude, pay attention to details, and treat people with respect. Interns are also expected to work a minimum of 8 hours per week. Students with their own transportation preferred.

Students pursuing majors in video/film production and marketing are encouraged to apply. However, students having a strong interest in the above-referenced subject areas will be considered.  

This is a non-paid internship, and all interns must be fully matriculated and eligible to receive college credit.


A mandatory background check will be performed, and references may be requested.  

All interested students should email a cover letter and resume to Tonya Thomas at tonyat@jolafilms.com.  Any questions should be emailed and directed to Tonya Thomas as well. 

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Contact

Get in Touch

Long Island, NY

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