Meet the 2017 Interns!

Every year a phenomenal flock of college students takes over the Film Festival office for the months of June and July. From aspiring ornithologists to lobster bisque enthusiasts and film prep interns who really, really love Pulp Fiction, this year’s group is one for the books.

Sydney Rosen

“Yikes.”

School: Michigan State University
Internship position: Volunteer Coordinator/Internal Communications
Favorite movie quote: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
Dream job: Astronaut
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Memes,  bagels, memes.
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
My own Snapchat story.
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Genovia from The Princess Diaries
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
I was a fashion icon from day one.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
I’d want a picture of an ear with Danny Devito whispering into it.

 

Sam Prue

“Sorry.”

School: St. Michael’s College
Internship position: Communications/Media
Favorite movie quote: “Into the garbage, fly boy.” – Princess Leia, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Dream job: Ornithologist
3 things you can’t live without: My skis, origami paper, my mom.
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Say Yes to the Dress
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Themyscira from Wonder Woman
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
I’m an RA at my school, and when I was studying abroad all of my residents signed a card and sent it to me.
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
My bowl cut. It was not my fault.

 

“Doctor” Mary Kate Kemp

“Are you so excited?”

School: University of Michigan
Internship position: Kids Fest
Favorite movie quote: “A queen is never late, everyone else is simply early.”—Queen Clarisse Renaldi, The Princess Diaries
Dream job: Private Eye
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Water, guacamole, my dog.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
When I was in first grade I had a really huge crush on this guy and he was over at my house with my brother playing video games, and my version of flirting with him was putting Kraft Singles cheese on top of my head.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
13 Going on 30
Describe yourself as a dessert.
Sweet but a little nutty.

 

Matt Lehman

“I am a man of the people.”

School: Michigan State University
Internship position: Box Office
Favorite movie quote: “The duck may swim on the lake, but my daddy owns the lake.” – Trout Walker, Holes
Dream job: Either Oceanographer or Paleontologist
What is your greatest fear?
Fear itself. Or clowns.
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
500 Days of Summer
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Jurassic Park. Because dinosaurs.
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Short shorts and long socks
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Steve Buscemi. Probably like a full back tattoo. What a beautiful man.

 

Merek Alam

“Don’t worry about it.”

School: Alma College
Internship position: Post Production
Favorite movie quote: “Sing for me, Paolo.” – Isabella Parigi, The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Dream job: Working at Blockbuster Video or Filmmaker
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Oxygen, food, and my internal organs.
What is your greatest fear?
Alligators, crocodiles, brain hemorrhages.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
In an attempt to do parkour when I was 13, I shattered both my knees on the ground and I had to walk it off like it didn’t hurt.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Lobster bisque
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Fedoras

 

Maks Muno

“Kachow.”

School/year: University of Michigan, senior
Internship position: Post Production
Favorite movie quote: “The name’s Mater, like ta-mater, but without the ta.” –Mater, Cars.
Dream job: Race Car Driver
What is your greatest fear?
That they’ll stop making sequels to the Cars movies.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
When I didn’t go to the midnight premiere of Cars 2.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Whipped cream.
Describe yourself as a dessert.
Whipped cream.
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When my girlfriend studied abroad, she gave me a box of letters that I could open periodically throughout the semester.

 

Megan Birleson

“This is a mess.”

School: University of Michigan
Internship position: Office Intern
Favorite movie quote: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Rhett Butler, Gone with the Wind
Dream job: Biographer
What is your greatest fear?
Being stranded on a desert island without my glasses.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I convinced everyone in my second grade class that I could speak Salamander. That was weird.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“Gold Digger” by Kanye West
Describe yourself as a dessert.
Ice cream ‘cause I’m really cool. Probably mint chocolate chip.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Lil’ Sebastian from Parks and Rec.

 

Aleah Price

“Maybe?”

School: DePaul
Internship position: Assistant Office Manager
Favorite movie quote: “Ah, hon, ya got Arby’s all over me.” – Marge Gunderson, Fargo
Dream job: Museum Curator
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I shaved off half of my eyebrow and it took a year to grow back. My friend drew it back on for me though!
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Golden Girls
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Any Wes Anderson film.
Describe yourself as a dessert.
Half melted ice cream because I never feel like I’m that put together.
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Jeans with dresses.

 

Adrienne Wolff

“Never not thinking about my next meal.”

School: Brown University
Internship position: Communications/Media
Favorite movie quote: “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”— Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
Dream job: Editor in Chief of the New Yorker
What is your greatest fear?
Pigeons.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Sushi
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
My mom gave me life. Thank you Diane.

 

Chloe Alberta

“Do it for the novel.”

School: University of Michigan
Internship position: Communications/Media
Favorite movie quote:  “I want you to hit me as hard as you can.” – Tyler Durden, Fight Club    
Dream job: Movie Star
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
My cat, my Converse, my Fight Club movie poster.
What is your greatest fear?
Being mauled by a sloth.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“Fergalicious” by Fergie
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When I was younger a boy at writing camp wrote this really sweet poem about me and read it to everyone around the campfire.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Steve Carell on my bicep saying “I understand nothing.”

 

McKenna Cartwright

“I know, right?”

School: University of Michigan
Internship position: Meg’s Girl Friday
Favorite movie quote: “That’ll do, Donkey, that’ll do.” – Shrek
Dream job: Casting Director
What is your greatest fear?
That I will be stuck living with my parents for the rest of my life.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“I’m Gonna Be” by The Proclaimers
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Australian Bachelor/Bachelorette
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Gauchos
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow

 

Alexanna McKessy

“…oh god.”

School: Ferris State
Internship position: Music Management
Favorite movie quote: “Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” – Stitch, Lilo and Stitch
Dream job: Owning a music venue
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
My dog Burt, chocolate, and mac ‘n cheese with bread crumbles on top.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“1985” by Bowling for Soup
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Thor
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Taking 70 percent of my hair and parting it to one side.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Nikki Sixx

 

Brooke Windsor

*Tina Belcher groan*

School: Ferris State
Internship position: Music Management
Favorite movie quote: “Brothers don’t shake hands. Brothers gotta hug.” – Tommy, Tommy Boy
Dream job: Music Festival Production
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
My dog Stella, the Game Show Network, and HGTV.
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
The Lorax 
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
My laundry was still in the dryer when I left for school and my roommate’s mom came to move him in, and when I came home she had folded it and left it in my room for me.
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
Pink corduroy overalls that matched my stuffed bunny.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Dave Grohl

 

Leandra Gill

“I’m no angel, but I’ve been winging it from the start.”

School: Ferris State
Internship position: Graphic Design
Favorite movie quote: “You know, there’s a million fine lookin’ women in the world dude. But they don’t all bring you lasagna at work. Most of them just cheat on you.” – Silent Bob, Clerks
Dream job: Wedding Planner
What is your greatest fear?
Answering questions on the spot.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Sweet Potatoes
Describe yourself as a dessert.
Saucy
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Christian Bale

 

Hannah Jo Maier

“A picture is worth a thousand words but I’ll leave you speechless.”

School: University of Michigan
Internship position: Event Planning    
Dream job: Documentary Filmmaker
Favorite movie quote: “Sometimes dead is better.” – Daddy, Pet Sematary
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Bandanas, hot tubs, books.
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Rick & Morty
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Singing in the Rain
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
In-N-Out French Fries
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
54-year-old Johnny Depp

 

Kate Schnepf

“More problems than Johnny Depp’s Yacht wifi.”

School: Boston University
Internship position: Film Prep
Favorite movie quote:  “There’s a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. ‘The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you.’ Now I been sayin’ that for years. And if you ever heard it … You’d be dead right now. I never gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was a cold-blooded thing to say to a mother before I popped a cap in his behind. But I saw something this mornin’ made me think twice. See, now I’m thinking: maybe it means you’re the evil man. And I’m the righteous man. And Mr. 9mm here… he’s the shepherd protecting my righteous behind in the valley of darkness. Or it could mean you’re the righteous man and I’m the shepherd and it’s the world that’s evil and selfish. And I’d like that. But that ain’t the truth. The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin’, Ringo. I’m tryin’ real hard to be the shepherd.” – Jules Winnfield, Pulp Fiction
Dream job: Photographer
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Doc Martens, scrunchies, and PB & J.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
“Country Roads” by John Denver
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Pawnstars
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Nachos
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
John Heder

 

Maggie Foley

“Yeah, I’ve seen some stuff.”

School: Columbia University
Internship position: Film Prep
Favorite movie quote:  “Nice marmot.” – The Dude, The Big Lebowski
Dream job: Film Archivist
What are 3 things you can’t live without?  
The movie Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion, eyeliner, and John Waters movies.
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
Pride and Prejudice
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Tacos
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
My glitter phase.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Janeane Garofalo

 

Alicia Hartz

“You do you.”

School: NYU
Internship position: Videography
Favorite movie quote: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Brody, Jaws
Dream job: Actress
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Food, entertainment, an audience.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I misspelled the word color for way too long.
If you could live in the world of any film, which would you choose?
The Avengers
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
I wore these blue glasses that changed into sunglasses when they got into the sun but they changed blue, so I was just wearing these blue glasses that turned into blue sunglasses until like second grade. Like aqua transition lenses.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Beyoncé, always.

 

Abbey Hull

“Whoops.”

School: Michigan Tech
Internship position: Office and Festival Runner
Favorite movie quote: “There’s no place like home” – Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
Dream job: Working at NASA
What is your greatest fear?
Bees
What is your most embarrassing moment?
When my dad told David Pointsett that I called him a fluffy white chicken.
What is your guilty pleasure movie/TV show?
Dirty Dancing
What childhood fashion choice do you wish you could take back?
I used to draw on my hair with Sharpie and it would get on my face.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
All the Beatles.

 

Nikole Davtyan

“I’m screaming.”

School: University of Michigan
Internship Position: VideographyDream job: Screenwriter/film director
Favorite movie quote: “Was he slow?” — Doc, Baby Driver
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I think every day is an embarrassment.
What is your go-to song for karaoke?
I’d rather just jump off a cliff. I don’t sing. At all.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Hot Cheetos
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
One time on my birthday we were out at a restaurant celebrating and this random woman came up to me and gave me twenty dollars.
What celebrity’s face would you get tattooed on your body?
Harry Styles