A film internship is a temporary position held at a company or organization in which the intern carries out entry-level tasks and responsibilities in return for the experience and insights gained at that company or organization.¹

The length of a film internship can vary depending on where the intern is hired, but in many cases, it lasts from three to six months. During this time, interns often work two to three days a week. Again, this frequency depends on the agreement set up between the company and intern. In rare cases, an intern is expected to work every weekday from eight to 10 hours a day.

There’s virtually no part of the filmmaking industry where interns aren’t needed.

Interested in editing? There are editing internships. Want to compose for film? There are composing internships. Passionate about production design? There are internships for that, too.

Get a firsthand look from a student on how she went about getting a film internship.

While you likely won’t be working side by side with a Composer on their music for a new film or going through dailies for an Editor on a movie, you can typically find an internship for any given specialty in filmmaking.

What an intern learns on the job can be broken down into both tangibles and intangibles.²

Tangible skills learned can range from understanding how to do script coverage to how to organize dailies to how to set up or put away lighting or camera equipment. It all depends on the specialty that the intern is aspiring to learn. Hence, a development intern will work with scripts. An editing intern will work with footage. A camera or cinematography intern will work on set with said equipment.

The intangibles learned during an internship can be just as valuable, though. This often translates to understanding how to interact with other professionals and establish a rapport with them. Networking is a lifelong part of working in the film industry, and internships are frequently the first step of that process. An intern who stands out may even secure a job after the completion of the internship or once they finish college should they impress.

Why should you spend your valuable time and energy into finding a film internship? This video explains the value of this experience.

It’s important to keep in mind, though, that film internships aren’t on the level of even entry-level jobs. You are there to learn and observe. For that experience, you will likely be performing mundane tasks for the company or organization.

Unless you are working for a small production company, startup, or individual professional where you might be given more responsibility, be prepared to pitch in whenever possible with the routine needs of the office. Those needs may not be exciting to perform, but they are nevertheless necessary and can help you better understand that part of the industry.

In short, usually no.³ The vast majority of internships provide school credit only in return for the work and hours put in by the interns. For this reason, internships are available nearly exclusively to individuals who are enrolled in college or university.

However, in recent years, more conversation is being had around financial payment for film internships. In particular, many of the major film studios and production companies now offer compensation for interns.

The process of getting a film internship mirrors the process of getting any other kind of job. That means applicants who want film internships should prepare for the following:

Unless you have firsthand connections that allow you to bypass the conventional application process, a professional resume and cover letter are a must for getting a film internship.

We’ll get into how exactly to position yourself well even without experience, but for now, be prepared to submit a resume and cover letter for each potential film internship opportunity.

The application process will typically involve more than just uploading a resume and cover letter. You may be asked why you want this internship, what you can bring to the company or organization for which you’re applying, and other essay-type questions.

Remember, just like any other part of the film industry, there is often competition for film internships. That means creating an application that gets noticed. Phoning in generic answers will probably not win over those making the decisions of who gets the internship.

For that reason, be sure to take your time with your application answers to make them sincere, compelling, and memorable.

Should your application be strong enough to move you into the next round of consideration, you will likely be asked to interview for the film internship. Especially if you’re still in college or university, you may not have had ample experience with professional interviews. Don’t let that worry you.

Even seasoned veterans of the industry can get nervous at the prospect of an interview. What’s important to keep in mind is that what you showed of yourself through your resume, cover letter, and rest of your application was enough to get you interviewed. So be true to how you presented yourself on paper. Be passionate about why you want the film internship but also professional in your interactions with those interviewing you.⁴

Your first impression may be your only impression, so make it count.

While the process of applying for a film internship might be somewhat universal, there’s no single route to success when it comes to looking for opportunities.

There’s no one surefire way to get a film internship. This video offers a comprehensive breakdown of the various paths to securing the internship you want.

Some ways to find that internship:

• Talk to your college or university’s Career Center for listings and advice.
• Research production companies and studios where you want to intern and apply directly on their websites.
• Apply through general job-finding websites such as net or Indeed.com.
• Ask for a referral from a Professor or other industry contact.

Absolutely. The individuals hiring for film internships know very well that candidates are just starting out in their film careers. That won’t be held against you.

However, even if you don’t already have experience doing coverage or organizing dailies or setting up camera equipment, you must demonstrate that you have the capacity to do what will be asked of you should you get the internship.

Time and attention will be invested in you during your film internship. Those in hiring positions want to be as certain as possible that their investment in you will be worth it. So don’t worry about experience. Rather, focus on clearing and conclusively conveying that you are the right candidate for the job because of your commitment to and passion for it.

If experience isn’t necessary, what do you need to get a film internship?

Because potential employers know you may be lacking in film-specific skillsets, they will likely focus on other attributes,⁵ including:

• Aptitude for taking instruction
• Collaborative attitude
• Enthusiasm for the job
• Excellent time management
• Strong work ethic
• Willingness to learn

Many production companies and studios start posting their internship opportunities six months out or more from when they intend to bring in a given intern.

All to say, if you want a summer film internship, it’s not too early to start scouting your options at the beginning of the year.

If you don’t initially find a film internship that you would be interested in, keep looking on a consistent basis. A popular internship will quickly gain applicants, so you want to be one of the earlier candidates to apply.

A film internship isn’t an absolute must. Of course, there are many people working in the film industry who never had an internship. But make no mistake, a film internship can absolutely be a career-enhancing experience.⁶

Interns often work in close proximity with professionals who are working in the specialties that they aspire to be in one day. They have the chance to observe, ask questions, and learn from the best. In just a matter of months, they can make dozens of professional connections that may one day be formative in helping them secure other career opportunities.

Internships are about more than what you learn; they’re also about who you meet. This video explains why.

Film internships can be a highly valuable part of resumes as well. Internships indicate to potential employers that you have some experience in a particular specialty, which often is a boost, as they won’t have to start training you from the ground up.

Internships can also be incredibly helpful in determining for the intern if they really want to work in a certain sector of film. Maybe you learn that you do indeed love post-production. Or you decide that it’s not exactly the right fit for you. Better to know sooner than later either way.

All to say, internships are not necessary but can be incredibly valuable.

The prospect of getting a film internship can be overwhelming. Especially if you have little experience applying to jobs, it’s understandable that you may just cross your fingers and hope you can get by without one.

But internships are exactly for those who are just starting out in their film careers. You don’t need to have lots of experience – or any experience at all – in your desired specialty. Rather, you just need to have a diligent, professional, and passionate attitude that demonstrates your commitment to doing the very best job you can for your potential employer.

In return, you will learn more than you can imagine about exactly what it’s like to work in this industry. Most importantly, you will get a firsthand perspective on whether you want to be part of it. Or perhaps part of another sector or specialty.

A film internship is first and foremost a learning experience, not a make-or-break opportunity. Mistakes will be made – and that’s okay! But don’t let that get in the way of giving yourself a wonderful chance to grow and explore your professional aspirations.