How to Land Film Internships With Zero Experience: A Beginner's Blueprint
On everything I do I’m always taking someone’s money, whether it’s a movie studio or a record label. Somebody’s paying for it, and I’m always respectful of that. But I’m never going to compromise.
-Spike Jonez
How to Land Film Internships With Zero Experience: A Beginner's Blueprint
Finding film internships without experience feels like auditioning for a role without a demo reel. These opportunities run for three to six months. Interns usually work two to three days each week. Film industry internships might not pay, but they are a great way to get hands-on experience. The networking opportunities help you stand out among other candidates.
The right timing makes all the difference in landing film industry positions. Summer opportunity searches should begin during the previous season. The path to a film internship needs balance. You bring your drive and dedication, and you’ll pick up practical skills and valuable connections.
This piece maps out the steps to land a film industry internship as a complete beginner. We’ll guide you from application prep to making the most of your role. Think of it as your personal roadmap to success.
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What Film Interns Actually Do
Film interns work as the core team members who help production departments of all sizes. They get ground experience in the industry whatever their background might be. The reality of film internships no experience jobs isn’t as glamorous as movies show. These positions involve basic tasks that keep productions moving forward.
Typical tasks in different departments
Your daily work as a film intern changes based on where you’re placed. We focused on script coverage in development internships. This means reading scripts and giving quick feedback. Production interns help run the set smoothly. They organize gear, charge batteries, and handle paperwork.
Most film industry internships need you to:
Answer phones and handle information requests
Research locations, talent, and industry trends
Write script coverage and break down locations
Help with data entry and staying organized
- Grab coffees!
Each department has its own special tasks. Marketing interns build campaigns for new content. Editing interns sort footage and help with post-production work.
What you'll learn on the job
Film industry internships teach you much more than just doing tasks. You’ll pick up concrete skills like analyzing scripts, handling equipment, and editing techniques. These internships are a great way to get soft skills too – from professional networking to industry etiquette and creative problem-solving.
You’ll watch pros at work and learn how the industry flows and communicates. This kind of learning helps people who want to know how to get an internship in the film industry without connections.
How roles vary by company and location
Big studios like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix run their programs differently than indie production companies. 30-year-old companies often have well-laid-out programs with small stipends. Smaller companies make it easier to get in and give you more hands-on work.
Your location makes a big difference too. To name just one example, see film internships near me in LA hubs – they usually pay $18 per hour for 20 hours each week. Regional film commissions might not pay but give you more varied tasks.
On top of that, program lengths can be quite different. Disney runs three to six-month internships that might stretch to a year. Netflix keeps regular Monday-to-Friday hours and ends with final projects.
How to Prepare Without Prior Experience
Start with what you already know
Take stock of the tools you have right now. Your smartphone is a great starting point for filmmaking with its camera capabilities. You can create professional-looking footage without expensive equipment by learning manual settings like ISO, frame rate, and shutter speed. These simple skills will help you work with higher-end cinematography equipment during film industry internships.
Beyond technical skills, look at your storytelling abilities. Your experience with presentations, written stories, or hosted events develops skills that film production values. Limited resources often lead to creative and original solutions, which makes your unique view valuable.
Use free tools to build simple skills
Many professional-grade tools are available without cost. DaVinci Resolve stands out as completely free editing software that gives you detailed features for editing, color correction, and visual effects. Audacity provides strong tools to clean up and boost sound quality for audio work.
Free learning platforms are a great way to get started:
YouTube channels like Film Riot, Indy Mogul, and DSLR Guide offer practical tutorials
Filmmaker IQ provides articles and discussions about cinematography techniques
StudioBinder Film School delivers free video master classes
Platforms like Sundance Co//ab have made many Member benefits available to everyone
Get involved in student or local film projects
Hands-on experience is your most valuable preparation tool. Local college film departments, classified ads, Craigslist, or Facebook groups can help you find film shoots (or FilmLocal!). Honesty works best when approaching filmmakers, tell them you want to learn and will help for free.
Every role on set provides learning opportunities, even the less glamorous ones. Watch everything, learn the terminology, and understand how different positions work. These experiences help you grow while building connections with future collaborators.
Actor Brigitte Bourdeau points out that student projects teach you “the film lingo so that later, when you’re on a professional set, you’re not just a stupid actor sitting there, not quite knowing what’s going on around you”. This knowledge is priceless when you want to get an internship in the film industry.
How to Get a Film Internship
Landing the perfect film internships no experience takes smart networking and the right resources. The search might feel overwhelming at first, but you can discover hidden chances with the right game plan.
Use job boards and school resources
Specialized job boards in the entertainment industry should be your first stop. You should set up job alerts and research company careers sites well.
Your school likely has great resources ready. College career centers look at internship listings to make sure you get real educational experiences instead of just unpaid work. Most film schools connect students directly with production companies, studios, and industry professionals through their placement programs. NYU Tisch Film & Television helps hundreds of students land internships yearly with media companies of all types.
Reach out to alumni and professionals
Alumni connections in film production can reshape your career path completely. Success comes from not just who you know but who knows you. Start building these connections by:
Joining on-campus organizations and industry non-profit programs
Making your professional social media profile stand out
Going to industry networking events at your school
A strong professional social media presence makes you more visible to potential employers. Note that filmmakers appreciate honest approaches, show real interest in learning and eagerness to help.
Think over third-party programs like ABI
Third-party organizations make your internship search easier by working as middlemen. ArtBound Initiative (ABI) links students with the core team in creative industries across New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These groups handle everything from finding your ideal internship to sorting out travel details including housing and visa help.
The Moving Picture Institute’s Hollywood Career Launch Program matches interns with partner production companies and gives living stipends during the internship. They’ve given over 265 paid internships since 2006.
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Overcoming Barriers and Growing from the Experience
The biggest hurdle for aspiring filmmakers is the financial reality of film internships no experience positions. You need practical strategies and a growth mindset to direct yourself through these challenges.
Dealing with unpaid internships and funding options
Here’s a hard truth – most entry-level film industry internships are unpaid or offer minimal stipends. These internships typically require college credit, which means interns must pay $1,000-$5,000 in tuition fees to work for free. Students find creative ways to handle this burden:
They register for credits at community colleges for a few hundred dollars
They apply for scholarships through Gilman or Fulbright programs
They seek financial aid through organizations like CMG, CAPA, or CEA
They work extra jobs as baristas, rideshare drivers, or food delivery
Turning small tasks into big learning moments
Every task, even the smallest ones, can become a valuable learning experience. You must approach each responsibility with purpose. Take initiative by offering help before others ask. Questions on set help professionals remember you positively and expand your knowledge.
Make time to sit with editors to understand the production process from start to finish. This comprehensive viewpoint is a great way to get insights, whatever your intended specialty. Focus on building organizational skills that transfer to industry positions of all types.
Using your internship to shape your career path
Film internships open unique windows into different career paths. One intern found that there was a passion for documentary work through experiences that started in narrative production. Another saw television production had more appealing opportunities than feature films.
These internship connections often lead straight to paid work. One intern shares, “Soon after my internship ended, I got a call from one of the company’s owners. He needed an extra hand on set… It was my first paid gig as a professional!”.
Let your supervisors know about your career goals as your internship wraps up – they might connect you with opportunities. Without doubt, staying in touch with these connections boosts your chances of future employment. Send occasional messages to check in, even when you don’t need anything specific.
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Ready to Start Your Internship?
Starting a film career without experience can feel overwhelming, but film internships are a great way to get started. This piece explores how these opportunities, even unpaid ones, are a great way to get hands-on experience and networking connections that you won’t find in textbooks.
Note that your experience can begin right now with tools you already have. Your smartphone camera, free editing software like DaVinci Resolve, and online tutorials create your personal film school. Each student film or local production where you volunteer builds your knowledge base and grows your network.
The right internship needs both persistence and strategy. Job boards, educational resources, alumni connections, and third-party programs create different paths to your first role in the industry. Your genuine enthusiasm to learn can open doors that seem firmly closed.
Money issues definitely create hurdles for many aspiring filmmakers. Notwithstanding that, you’ll find creative solutions – from community college credits to scholarships and side jobs that make these opportunities possible even with limited resources.
Landing that coveted internship position is just the start – your attitude shapes its value. Simple tasks become learning opportunities when you approach them with curiosity and dedication. Thoughtful questions show your participation and help professionals remember you well.
These experiences often lead straight to paid work. So, keeping these relationships alive after your internship becomes as significant as the work itself. This time also lets you explore different aspects of filmmaking – you might find unexpected passions that shape your career path.
Your first film internship marks the beginning of your industry experience. With determination, resourcefulness, and this blueprint, you have everything to transform zero experience into a thriving film career. The preparation phase is over – it’s time to step onto your own production set!
While you’re at it, you should check out more of FilmLocal! We have plenty of resources, and cast and crew. Not to mention a ton more useful articles. Create your FilmLocal account today and give your career the boost it deserves!
FAQs
Q1. How can I get a film internship without any prior experience? Start by leveraging your existing skills and resources. Use your smartphone to practice filmmaking, learn free editing software like DaVinci Resolve, and volunteer for student or local film projects. Utilize job boards, school resources, and networking opportunities to find internships. Be honest about your eagerness to learn when approaching potential employers.
Q2. What tasks do film interns typically perform? Film interns often handle various support tasks across different departments. These may include answering phones, researching industry trends, preparing script coverage, organizing equipment, and assisting with administrative duties. Specific responsibilities can vary depending on the department and production company.
Q3. Are film internships usually paid? Many entry-level film internships are unpaid or offer minimal stipends. Some require college credit, which can involve tuition fees. However, there are ways to manage this, such as registering for credits at community colleges, applying for scholarships, or seeking financial aid through organizations like CMG, CAPA, or CEA.
Q4. How can I make the most of my film internship experience? Approach every task, no matter how small, as a learning opportunity. Take initiative by offering help before being asked. Ask thoughtful questions to expand your knowledge and make a positive impression. Seek opportunities to observe different aspects of production, even if they’re outside your primary role.
Q5. Can a film internship lead to a paid job in the industry? Yes, internships often lead to paid work opportunities. The connections you make during your internship can be invaluable. Many interns receive job offers or recommendations for paid positions based on their performance and the relationships they build. Maintain contact with your supervisors and colleagues even after the internship ends to increase your chances of future employment.