Michael Crider
Every Star Trek nerd dreams of visiting the set of the show. For a few lucky college students, that dream will be a reality…albeit in a virtual way, due to the COVID pandemic. CBS and the Television Academy Foundation (the people who award the Emmys) are preparing the Command Training Program, a fellowship and internship system for Star Trek shows.
Eligible college students are encouraged to apply between now and January 19th. There are two programs available: fellowships in the spring, and internships in the summer. According to the promotional material for the Command Training Program (a name taken from the in-universe Star Trek cadet officer training system), participants will be immersed in the production process of the Star Trek universe. This includes episode writing, pre-production for sets and costumes, special effects and animation, and post-production. Participants will also have access to weekly evening development panels with “television industry leaders.” Upon completion, program alumni will have access to job search resources and contacts.
The spring fellowships are unpaid, but two paid interns will be eligible for reimbursement “up to $4800.” How exactly all of this will work isn’t clear: the Television Academy Foundation’s website makes it clear that, unlike last year’s Command Training Program, the 2021 fellowships and internships will be remote only. Presumably, participants will be working on Star Trek Discovery, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek Picard, and/or the unnamed spinoff staring Enterprise captain Christopher Pike.
Hopeful students need to prepare their transcripts, resumes, two letters of recommendation, and a maximum 750-word essay for the application. Good luck.
Source: StarTrek.com
