American Indian Summer Institute

In order to increase the talent pool of those most severely under-represented at FOX (and the industry throughout), Diversity Development designed this residential immersion program (the first of its kind) in 2002 and partnered with UCLA in its launch in that same year. Topics include broad entrainment exposure with the emphasis on production process from story concept to final image onscreen. Activities also include site visits, workshops led by industry professionals including but not limited to FOX employees.

UPDATE: In 5 Years, 110 American Indian youth participated from 18 tribes across the United States including Alaska and Canada. Here is a representative, but not exclusive list life changing results impacting the participants:

  • From the 2006 Class, a student was accepted for the 2007 Sundance Institute - Ford Foundation Film Fellow for his short film project.

  • Acceptance into an 18 month training program at Hollywood CPR (3 participants - one participant was hired as Grip for "Ocean's Thirteen")

  • Acceptance to and completion of the LA Academy for the Arts in Pasadena

  • Production assistant with NA2 Productions

  • Participant is accumulating days for union membership (prop maker)

  • One Theater Arts major (female) obtained a casting meeting

  • Others in prestigious performing arts programs, returned to (or entered in) college at various levels

  • One student had a submission screened in the Sundance Film Festival, two years in a row (2005 & 2006)

  • One student admitted to the LA Recording Workshop (FOX Music referral)

  • Participant relocated from Juneau, AK, enrolled in Streetlight Productions program to become a production assistant, worked on 20th pilot "Sharks."

  • Participant completed the highly competitive Warner Bros. animation apprenticeship program and is now doing public relations for an actor's studio focused on developing Native American talent.
 

Participating Fox Entertainment companies / productions included 20th Century FOX (development, television, post production, carpentry), FOX Searchlight, FBC executives, HarperCollins Publishing, MADtv, Best Damn Sports Show Period (among others), MySpace, and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

Plans are in the development stage to create a similar program in the east coast with an emphasis on publishing, journalism and communications.

Participants: 20-25 participants, ranging from ages 18-25 at various levels of scholastic achievement.


Aurora Coronell, Auk American Indian

A graduate of AISI's inaugural year (2001), Aurora Coronell returned to Juneau and graduated high school, completed her Associates Degree in Show Production and Touring, then relocated to Los Angeles with a Fox executive's guidance and joined the Streetlights Production Assistant Program in May '06. The P.A. training and placement program teaches the skills necessary for basic P.A. knowledge, including map-reading, truck training, petty cash management, communications, etc. She has already gained employment over 12 productions, including Vans and AT&T commercials.