Interning at Famous Monsters

Interning isn't as scary as you think.

Ithaca College student Jocelyn Codner, 21, is an intern at blog-based magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland (FM) updating the site with reviews, news, upcoming events and merchandise that may be of interest to the horror and science fiction communities. "I don't do intern stuff. I'm a writer at the magazine," Codner said.

For her first assignment, Codner joined the current CEO of FM, Phil Kim, and managing editor Dominie Lee to the Paranoia Film Festival on the Queen Mary on Long Beach to do press. She got in for free, and when I spoke with her, she had just finished a review on The Last House on the Left (ticket also for free!).

Codner goes into work around nine in the morning and surfs the Internet. She looks for information that would appeal to horror/thriller/sci-fi fans and writes up to six to eight articles "on a good day." Some of her resources are genre specific websites such as Fangoria and Bloody-Disgusting and others like variety.com.

"Every once and a while we'll talk about things that aren't genre films," Codner said. "Some films in general are just newsworthy. We want to include that." FM tries to be well rounded and keep readers well informed.

Codner goes into the office about twice a week, and because of the magazine's blog nature, she can update the site from her apartment. She said the office atmosphere is really flexible and relaxing. Codner even gets to leave in her piercings at work.

"I got internships at Lifetime and a couple of production companies," Codner said. "I hated it. I'd be getting coffee. I was like, no!"

Codner isn't a fan of corporate companies. She prefers smaller working environments. FM's office can be found in a residential apartment complex in Los Angeles, California where the employees are left to sit and write in peace. "I could take over a desk area," Codner said, "but I like the couch. It's my domain."

Even though Codner is a screenwriting major, she can see "writing for a magazine as a huge possibility for a career." Her time with FM is giving her lots of writing practice and opening new doors (without any visible Bogeymen). Codner is very happy to be a part of the magazine while it's very small. "This means the sky's the limit. I can have a huge part in rebuilding it and help and learn from this whole thing," she said.

FM magazine was first published in February 1958 as a one-time deal and eventually became a monthly publication. Creator of FM magazine Forrest J. Ackerman helped coined the term "science fiction." Film directors like Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg grew up with the magazine, and according to the FM website, FM is a source of their inspiration.

However, after a disagreement with his publisher, James Warren, Ackerman called it quits. The magazine shut down after 191 issues, only one created without the help of Ackerman. Ackerman picked up the pen again for only ten more issues after the rights of the publication were given to Ray Ferry in 1993. Ferry continued the publication without Ackerman until early 2008.

In 2007, Phil Kim picked up the rights from Ackerman to put FM online. The magazine can now only be found on the web.

"We still have all of these people remembering what it used to be," Codner said of the fans that remember FM in its prime. "We have a lot of respect from everybody. We're just about at that point where we can really take some steps forward."

Aside from those who work in the office, the magazine has freelance writers who contribute from other parts of the country. Lee said another print magazine (possibly a quarterly magazine) of FM is currently "in the works."

Lee started writing for the magazine before she joined the ranks of FM in 2008 as managing editor. She still writes for the blog but is now in charge of coordinating contracts and managing events. "It's [FM] always changing," Lee said. "We're continually evolving and growing."

Ironically, Lee went to school for biochemistry and anthropology. She started in human resource management, ended up working in film and finally landed a job at FM. "It's been excellent," she said. "It's a challenge and keeps me on my feet. I came into this pretty soon after my graduation, and my experience has been great."

Codner landed her internship at FM (and her other internship at City Lights Media Olympic) though Ithaca College's L.A. Program. She lives right down the road from NBC, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios and had the pleasure of receiving a surprise visit from Jay Leno while he was Jaywalking.

Codner hopes to keep working for the magazine from her hometown of Ithaca, New York.

If you're looking for a scream, you can locate FM at www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com.