digmedia

It is widely accepted that during film school, the best way to get contacts in the industry is through internships. I did an informal poll of some of my son's friends in the industry and found out something surprising: In general, they did not think that their internships helped them find a job after graduation! For example, one guy worked several summers doing script coverage on unsolicited screenplays. ("Script coverage" is the job of initially evaluating screenplays to see if the production company should spend time doing further evaluation. Did the submitters of those screenplays know that the gateway to having someone even LOOK at the script would be a lowly intern?) You would think that would be a great way to get some contacts: you read scripts, write reports evaluating them, and send those reports up the chain. Others worked as PA's (production assistants) in various pre, post, and production aspects. That, for sure, would be a key to knowing people. But again, most thought the internship was not really key to getting a job.

HOWEVER, the usefulness was much more subtle, IMNSHO. They did learn a LOT about how the business worked, how people are hired, and how to go after some of these gigs. In addition, they also learned LA. They had to find a place to live, turn on the electricity, pay the rent, and get around town. So, when they graduated, picking up stakes and going to LA was no big deal - they had done it (sometimes several times) before. There was no intimidation in moving there.

Now I know at least one intern (maddenmd's son) where the internship he already had and the ones he will probably get from USC, WILL DEFINITELY make a difference. Of course, he has something undefinable that most interns don't have, and it will go a long way in making his success. And there are even three exceptions with my son's friends - two women (one at Dreamworks and another with Judd Apatow's production company) and one man (working in a private video production company NOT in LA) - who interned at the companies they now work for.

Again I posit that in terms of contacts, the best ones you will make are your fellow classmates that you make films with during film school. Gravitate toward those you see as the stars who will be most likely to be employed in the industry in the future.

jtmoney

Confirming your thesis from a high school point of view, D had informal internship at small town local production company, the kind that pays its bills with super 8 to digital conversions, weddings, etc. Hardly a romantic internship, and you would hope the internship DOESN'T lead to a job. Just two old guys, but their contacts and goodwill led to multiple opportunities to make short videos for local non-profits, set work in Seattle, and great recommendations for college. High schoolers would be wise to pursue opportunities like this.
D is doing an unpaid internship in LA this summer, she chose it over a paid one because of potentially better contacts. It's a great experience for the reasons digmedia mentions: traffic navigation, rent, cash flow... In hindsight, I wonder if she wishes she had taken the paid one, but here is hoping those contacts pay off.
Have heard some bad internship stories, basically exploiting kids for free labor; any other internship experiences out there?

OCELITE

Whether it's a paid or an unpaid internship, it's the experience that counts. For some, it may be their gateway to the industry just like having a job with a company.

maddenmd

Thanks Dig, for the kind words about my son. He has had some amazing opportunities for someone so young (worked on a major studio film as the camera intern for example) that he got by making connections with people he has had the opportunity to meet.

But... there are things he did that ANYONE can do which will make a huge difference in both getting those internships and then someday working in the field:

1. Ask people if they know anyone in the industry- you might be surprised who you know that has a connection to someone who might help you get an internship or job someday
2. Ask for an introduction to that person- not just a phone number or email address
3. Have a resume ready to send that shows your work and your passion for film
4. Follow up, and follow up again- these are busy people and they may not get back to you right away, but a very polite and nice follow up at regular intervals until you get some sort of response is a good thing: they like persistence, but ONLY if you are NOT pushy- and once you get a "no" send a polite thank you note for the fact that they took the time to answer you- and say if anything ever comes up, you'd would love to hear
5. A producer said to him: "you will get many 'No's' along the way, but you will NEVER get the yes unless you ask. Months later, my son asked and got his first big job- from that same producer
6. If you get a position of ANY kind, be the first one there every day, the last one to leave, and the most helpful you can be.
7. NEVER be idle: fetch coffee, clean up a spill, offer a pen, be MORE than useful- even if none of this is in your job description
8. Make it clear you want to learn anything and everything, from everyone.You would be surprised what you can learn from the cleaning crew, the gaffers, the PA's the stand ins and everyone else on a set you might not think is relevant to what you want to do
9. Say good morning or hello, and offer a smile to every single individual you encounter, even if you have had a long day or a tough night: attitude matters- and those who are well liked will go far. Those who are moody or self absorbed will not make it. The cast and crew work long hours in close quarters: you'd better be liked to be wanted: or be so famous, it doesn't matter!
10. If you get paid, that's a bonus. Most internships will work you as hard as anyone on the set for little or no compensation. But the connections and education you get are priceless- if you give your all it will be noticed, and you will open doors
11. At the end of an internship thank every single person you met for what they have taught you. For those you worked more closely with, send a handwritten note, or for a few, an email immediately afterwards thanking them for the opportunity and if possible for a specific thing they showed you or taught you.
12. Stay in touch after the internship is over! Follow the careers and films of people you have worked with. Send small emails or notes if you see a project or film that has someone you know working in or on it. Be supportive of others, even if there is NOTHING in it for you.
13. Wait for it... if you do all this, and you have some talent and drive, you will get the positions which lead to others... and hopefully to a great career.

gladiatorbird

Fantastic thread.

So useful! (Sharing the advice with DS).
Thanks to all of you.

OhioMom3000

I think film internships, like internships in other fields, provide experience or contacts, ideally both. My son is working on his second internship with the same producer. Hopefully there will be more in the future (hopefully paid ).

madbean

I love maddenmd's excellent advice. What a wonderfully informative post! The only thing I would add is some additional advice for how to succeed when the student hits college.

Find out what you love to do BESIDES directing/screenwriting. Editing? Lights? When you have an instructor/professor you admire, make it to office hours and talk about what you hope to do in the future, what films you love, and what creative projects you are up to. When you've started to get to know him/her (and he/she knows you), express your interest in finding an internship and explain your specific skills/hopes. Do this with the administrators in the Film School office, the TAs, the upperclassmen you meet, and other new friends in your film major. If your major has an industry liaison, or a career rep for film go see them and take advantage of their advice. If you are studying film in L.A. or NYC, check Craig's List for internship/jobs on short films.

There are many new opportunities that will open up, but it is up to you to go get them. 4 years of undergrad as a film major will be much more professionally focused if you also get in 4 years of professional internships along with the classes, projects, and student films.