CCI Internship Diaries: From Chapman to Screenwriting with Lily Basta

Photo courtesy of Lily Basta. This is her at the Newport Beach Film Festival enjoying everything Newport has to offer.

This Thursday we’re talking about someone who came all the way from Lexington, Massachusetts to sunny California to chase her dream of screenwriting, and honestly, she’s doing exactly that. Meet Lily Basta. She’s a senior, a screenwriting major, and a CCI minor who truly believes in the power of the creative industries. For Lily, storytelling is about making people think and creating something that stays with you.

Lily chose Chapman University partly because of its proximity to LA, but also because she knew she wanted to be in an environment that would support her goals. She’s always loved writing, and once she got into film and television, it just clicked. That combination of storytelling and visual media? She went all in. When it came to choosing a minor, she wasn’t looking for something easy, she wanted something different. Something that would push her beyond what she was already learning in screenwriting. That’s where CCI came in. It offered a humanities-based perspective and a broader way of thinking about the industries she wants to be part of. Plus, she had heard great things, so she figured, why not?

And that curiosity paid off. In her classes, especially with CCI Director Dr. Patrick Fuery, she’s been challenged to think differently and step outside her comfort zone. At one point, she even helped build a “dream machine,” a project Dr. Fuery has previously taught at Chapman alongside now CCI alumni, which you can read about here. It might sound unexpected, but it became one of those experiences that teaches you a lot about creativity and collaboration, even if group projects can feel a little intimidating at first.

Outside of class, Lily has also been building real industry experience. She’s currently in her third internship as a development intern at INE Entertainment, a company focused on unscripted reality TV and docuseries. She’s had the opportunity to help on set, work with PAs and the art department, and step into spaces that once felt out of reach. What’s been especially meaningful is how welcoming those environments have been, spaces where people genuinely want her to learn and grow.

Now that we know a little bit more about Lily, let’s get into the conversation. 

Photo courtesy of Lily Basta. This is her on her last first day of school before graduating soon.

What does your day-to-day look like and what’s a project you’re especially proud of that you have worked on there?

LB: As a Development Intern, I spend a lot of time doing research for upcoming unscripted projects, things like archival pulls and supporting pitches that are in development. I also sit in on meetings, take notes, and occasionally get to contribute ideas since it’s a smaller company that really values a younger perspective. In terms of projects, I can’t share specifics, but I worked on a pretty challenging archival research assignment where there wasn’t much information available. It took a lot of digging, but it was really rewarding when I finally found useful material and saw it contribute, even in a small way, to the final production.

Working in entertainment can be really challenging, what’s something interesting you’ve learned or a challenge you’ve faced?

LB: One of the most interesting things has been seeing how decisions actually get made. It’s never just one person, there are people at every level contributing, sharing ideas, and talking things through before anything moves forward. It’s a really collaborative and respectful process, and it’s been cool to witness that up close. What’s been especially interesting is seeing how much discussion and refinement can go into even small creative choices. It’s helped me understand how much intention and coordination goes into shaping a final project, and how important it is to be open to different perspectives throughout that process.

Has this experience changed how you think about screenwriting?

LB: Definitely. Even though I’m not going into reality TV, storytelling is still at the core of everything. It’s taught me how to think about narrative from multiple angles and really consider what the audience is seeing and taking away. It’s also been really valuable to understand the full development process, from pitching ideas to making revisions and refining a project over time. Even if the format is different from scripted screenwriting, a lot of those same storytelling principles still apply, and it’s helped me think more critically about how stories are shaped.

Have you seen CCI reflected in your internships, and what advice would you give someone considering the CCI minor?

LB: Yes, definitely. I’m currently in a cultural management class, and it’s really helped me understand how organizations operate and how decisions get made within them. I also worked for a film festival last semester, which connected very directly to what I’m doing now. Overall, I feel like CCI classes do a great job of breaking down how creative industries function, both in terms of structure and purpose, and that perspective has carried over into my internship experiences in a really practical way. As for advice, I’d say get out of your comfort zone. Some classes can feel intimidating at first, but they’re really worth it. I’ve taken courses in industries I never expected to explore, like fashion, and I’ve learned a lot from them. Don’t just take the easy route; challenge yourself and take advantage of the variety the minor offers.

Photo courtesy of Lily Basta. This is her on a beautiful day, posing and enjoying the moment.

There you have it, CCI minors, another wonderful story from one of our hardworking seniors. As Lily nears the end of her Chapman journey, she’s looking ahead to what’s next. She plans to move to Los Angeles to be closer to the industry and see where her path takes her, because for her, there are truly no limits. From her love of the creative side of entertainment, to shows like The Office and Abbott Elementary that continue to inspire her, to currently writing two half-hour comedy pilot theses, Lily is fully immersed in storytelling. Combined with everything she’s learned through CCI, she’s building a strong foundation for whatever comes next. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her. A huge thank you to Lily for taking the time to chat with us. If you’d like to share your own story, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at erosas@chapman.edu