Elle Viefhaus

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with the Global Theatrical Publicity Department at Warner Bros. Discovery. This internship exposed me to the strategies and efforts guiding international marketing, talent relations, field activations, and event execution in just 11 fun-filled weeks. Working at a major studio introduced me to the pace and organization of an expansive film company and allowed me to work on incredible projects. Throughout my internship, I contributed to campaigns for extraordinary films such as Trap, Beetlejuice, and Joker: Folie á Deux.

Each week, I completed various administrative tasks and attended several meetings. My tasks included updating contact sheets, cross-referencing travel arrangements, conducting competitive analysis, communicating with publicists, and updating review grids. In addition to regularly occurring meetings, I participated in marketing-team-wide brainstorming sessions and photo-select meetings. Additionally, I was privileged to work as a runner at various events, such as the Horizon junket, Horizon premiere, and Trap fan screening. The most rewarding aspect of my internship was the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from such a talented team of publicists. I was consistently inspired by the stories of industry professionals and encouraged by all of the wisdom they shared with me. Additionally, I am grateful to have connected with four UC Santa Barbara alumni on the WB publicity team!

As a final project, I collaborated with two other interns to craft a comprehensive publicity campaign for the upcoming film MINECRAFT . Covering all facets of publicity, from trailer releases to talk show appearances, I spearheaded the creation of an international tour and field campaign. During the last week of the internship, we were given 45 minutes to pitch our campaign to the entire publicity team. From this experience, I grew in confidence, learned how to implement marketing strategies, and understood the importance of detailed research.

This summer at WBD has been an incredible journey filled with unforgettable experiences and valuable lessons, and I am grateful that my time with Warner Bros. is not finished yet! I am excited to continue working with Warner Bros. Pictures as a College Ambassador at UC Santa Barbara. I began the year promoting Joker: Folie á Deux, hosting events, collaborating with campus organizations, and giving away free merchandise. Interning at Warner Bros. Discovery under the Global Theatrical Publicity Department has been the greatest joy and the most enriching experience of my college career . None of it could have been possible without the support of the Carsey Wolf Center and its donors. Thank you so much for your generosity and support, which allowed me to live in Los Angeles for the summer and participate in my dream internship!