About the Organization

OurPlanet TV (OPTV)is a not-for-profit webcast station with no religious or political affiliations. It was founded by a group of producers, video journalists and other media professionals who questioned the way mainstream media covered 9.11 and the events that followed. It was formally incorporated as a non-profit entity in April 2005.

OurPlanet-TV's aim is to create space for independent video and web journalism on social and community issues. Through our production, webcasting, and training initiatives, OPTV strives to ensure "public access to media" and a reflection of diverse views and opinions.
OPTV also encourages nonprofit and socially responsible initiatives including:

• Raising public awareness through the webcast of programs
• Fostering partnerships by facilitating joint video production projects between individuals and/or organizations
• Providing training in media and production skills

Full time staff: 3 people
Part time staff: 1
Volunteer staff: 0
Volunteers: 10
Interns: 3 Japanese university students per semester
Office hours: 10am-7pm, Monday through Saturday
English speakers: 1 intermediate, 2 basic

Usual working hours are from 10am to 6pm but will change depending on events and meetings.

Dress: Business casual.

Job Description

Interns will be supervised by staff working directly with the projects. Interns are expected to participate in Our Planet TV's video documentary planning and production projects. In addition to basic office work, interns may assist with the following:

1. Our Planet TV produces regular programming on nonprofit activities in Japan. These are team projects including other student interns and volunteers, most of whom are Japanese. Possible roles include reporter/interviewer, camera operation and editing.

2. The intern is also encouraged to independently plan and produce his/her own program (“Views from an intern”) for webcasting during the course of the internship. Opportunities to learn/improve production skills will be provided through Our Planet TV’s regular workshops (see workshop outline below).

Other possible assignments:

1) Events: Past events have included the 5th anniversary celebration in October 2006 and the Torch Project screening in March 2007. Interns may also be asked to work with bilingual volunteers to motivate non-Japanese speakers to participate in Our Planet TV’s activities.

2) Outreach to the international community in Tokyo and beyond: Our Planet TV’s current audience is predominantly Japanese. We would like to expand our network of volunteers to the international community by enhancing our English language website and increasing participation in production work. The intern is encouraged to develop contacts that would help Our Planet TV expand its constituency.

3) Translation: Translating narratives of Our Planet TV’s existing work into English. Work will be supervised by a professional. Language skills will be assessed before assigning this task.

4) Website: English language website development and editing.

5) Research and analysis: Writing a paper on alternative/grassroots media (e.g. a comparative study of alternative media in the U.S. and Japan). Presenting findings at an internship wrap-up meeting.

6) Workshops:Our Planet TV’s hands-on workshops are typically open to about twelve people with diverse perspectives.

OurPlanet-TV hopes to gain various perspectives from individuals various backgrounds, including those from the international community. Through participation in Our Planet-TV's internships, interns are encouraged to provide various ideas and opinions, that may lead to more effective and creative journalism. Our Planet-TV and its interns may be able to create the change that traditional media cannot. An intern's participation in developing the English website is also important, as Our Planet-TV is currently trying to provide its video programming to non-Japanese speakers, within and outside of Japan.

Additional notes specific to each internship term:

1. January 2010-June 2010 - 2 terms long
   *February: Documentary film screening event
   
2. January 2010-April 2010 - 1 term long
   *February: Documentary film screening event
   
3. April 2010-September 2010 - 2 terms long
   *June: Media Study Camp
   
4. September-December 2010 - 1 term long
   *September: Alternative media festival in Japan
   *November: Yamagata Documentary Film Festival
   

# of Positions per term

1 Student per Period; Maximum 2 students per year

Start Dates

January, April, September

Duration of Internship

January - March; April - July; September - December

Academic Background

Communications, International Studies, Japanese language and history, media, film, Journalism, Asia studies, Intercultural/multicultural studies

Skills/Experience

Required: 1. 4th year Japanese or equivalent. 2. Strong interest in independent journalism. 3. Good understanding of Japan (history, society, economy, politics, current events) and, most importantly, a strong desire to learn more about Japan. 4. Willingness to share intern's lessons from previous experience and studies with the Our Planet TV's staff in a constructive manner. 5. Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office. Adobe Illustrator and Premier are preferred. 6. Able to work as part of a team, but also independently. Self-starter: willingness and ability to generate and implement new ideas.

Preferred: 1. Experience in video or web journalism. 2. Web-building skills. 3. Interest in alternative media trends in the U.S. 4. Interest in nonprofit organizations.

Language Ability

English fluency with 4th year Japanese OR Japanese fluency with conversational English

Other Requirements

Interns will be asked to join events that often take place on weekends

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee for the first term of any internship is $2,750 - $2,950. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	Approximately $1000
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$750
Food	$300
Local Transportation	$90
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$100

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

Note: There is a one time additional fee of $700 to offset the additional costs of arranging the internship, and providing orientation support in Japan, The regional director for IE3 will discuss these fees with you before beginning the placement process so you can estimate the costs.