When people think about the most imperative job titles in a production house, seldom do the roles of Intern or Production Assistant pop into their head.  Producer, Director of Photography, Audio Engineer; those are some of the usual suspects who collect all of the credit.  In our newest Up-and-Coming Featured Article, Ferro Productions is going to show some love to the roles of intern and PA by sharing the story of a very talented young man and his journey through the ranks of the television world. What does it take stand out? Why are PA’s and interns a crucial component to ALL productions?  And finally, what does the future hold for a hard-working individual at the entry level of our industry?  Let’s find out…

“It’s crazy how far I’ve come from a twenty-one year old intern to now be shooting network cameras everyday.” –SC

Sean Cox was merely an adolescent when he began messing around with cameras. Between driveway skateboarding sessions and backyard wrestling matches, Sean was always that kid who was capturing all of the action for him and his friend’s future enjoyment. Years later Mr. Cox found himself at Marist University studying Public Relations, however, he was still honing his TV knowledge by enrolling in numerous Broadcast and Digital Media electives.

The knowledge attained from those electives certainly resonated with him, as Sean was hired as an intern for Leftfield Pictures on the brand new show Pawn Stars, at the age of twenty-one.  His responsibilities included making calls and e-mails for show castings, as well as logging and transcribing of all of the video capture for the show.  “As soon as I saw that the work I was putting in was going directly onto the show I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  Not being an intern for the rest of my life, but being in the TV business.  The excitement and fulfillment was unexplainable” shares Sean.

It took merely three months for Mr. Cox to ascend from Intern to Production Assistant with Leftfield.  This rapid level of promotion was an early indication that Sean was not only a diligent worker, but that he also possessed the “it” factor that is required to make it in this business.

“It” includes, but is not limited to:

-Basic Knowledge

-Determination

-Passion

-Thick Skin

-Short Memory

Sean spent the next year and a half living in a Production Assistants paradise; working on shows such as Oddities, Fashion Hunters, My First Renovation, and Monster Inlaws.  He shares, “If you mess up…you’re gone.  Luckily I didn’t mess up and they kept hiring me.”  With all the experience and success as a Production Assistant, Mr. Cox’s next move may come as a surprise to some.  He decided to take an intern position for the highly recognized show, Cake Boss.  Where many others would have said “no” to the demotion from PA to intern, Sean knew that he couldn’t let ego get in the way of the opportunity.  During our interview he revealed, “I loved being out in the field with responsibilities as a PA but I didn’t want to pass up on building my resume and contact list.  Plus it was such a popular show and I wanted to see how they did things.”

So it was back to scratch, so to speak, as Sean found himself logging and transcribing footage as an intern for Cake Boss.  However, Mr. Cox and his “it” factor once again proved to catch the attention of Producers, as he was quickly promoted to Production Assistant.  He shared, “Cake Boss was less work than the previous shows I had PA’d for because it was more established.  The whole bakery was set for the show to be shot every day and there was a routine that everyone had already been accustomed too.  Never-the-less, it was cool to be behind the scenes on such a successful show like that; definitely a great learning experience.”

After a few episodes as PA on Cake Boss, Sean kept the pattern rolling, as he accepted an intern position with the New York Giants Broadcasting Department.  From intern to PA, back to intern, then to PA, and now back to intern?

“This time it was different though.  I was working for the New York Giants.  I was in the presence of Eli Manning and Justin Tuck… every day.” For a football fanatic like Sean, this was a dream gig.  Oh and not to mention… after the first few weeks of Cox’s “internship” he was shooting camera and editing segments for the Giants daily programming on FOX, MSG, My9, and Giants.com.

Sean Cox capturing an interview on-location at Lucas Oil Stadium during Media Day for Super Bowl XLVI.

Now in his third season with the NYG Broadcast Crew as Camera-Op and PA, Mr. Cox finds himself expanding his already vast array of experience, while freelancing in the NYC area.  Whether it be operating the robotic cameras at the coveted St. Patricks Cathedral for Sunday Mass or shooting camera for the New Jersey Devils, Sean is definitely an up-and-coming member of this industry that will be providing talent and creativity for years to come.

“I love the energy and the pressure of this business.  It’s really exciting.  I’m also really excited about the direction that the industry is going with all the new technology.  It should be fun.”

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