Whether you’re a college student seeking credit in your senior year, or you’re hoping to acquire basic knowledge and experience to start a career in film or production, it must come as no shock that the best way to do so is through an internship program. Production interns perform a variety of duties on film and media projects that range from executing administrative duties, to working on set with the crew, to assisting with post-production editing. While film school can provide excellent insights, education and opportunities, nothing compares to the on-the-job training you receive when interning with a production company.
At Sorrentino Media, we have interns working with us year-round on our latest projects, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our interns are able learn the ins and outs of remote production and become seasoned in all phases of video production, including planning, filming, and editing a project.
If you’re hoping to build a career in the film or television industry, these are our top 5 reasons why you should intern at a production company as soon as possible:
1) Network & Connect with Professional
It’s a saying you’re probably heard countless of times: “It’s all about who you know.” The more professional connections you make early on in your career, the more opportunities and doors that will be open to you. When you intern at a production company, you will be surrounded by professionals in the film industry that can take you under your wing or who will witness firsthand your work ethic and passion for film.
An internship is more than getting a grade or earning credit for your course – it’s about your long-term goals and future career. The people you meet during your internship could very well become your colleagues or could lead the way to your first job after college.
2) Gain Experience for Your Résumé
The hands-on experience you attain as an intern is second to none. It cannot be taught in a classroom, and it remains one of the fundamental benefits of internships. A production intern will have a wide variety of responsibilities, from assisting the crew with their duties, developing and researching stories, running errands, prepping for a shoot, setting up and breaking down the gear and equipment, and even learning how everything comes together in the post-production phase.
Even if you were to seek employment in a different field following your internship, you can still take transferable skills with you to your next job, such as communication and teamwork.
3) Develop Valuable Skills
An internship will teach you a lot about yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. It’ll allow ample opportunities for you to realize what talents you may be lacking, and which skills need to be refined prior to entering the work force. You’ll also be working closely with a supervisor who can double as a mentor and provide you with valuable feedback on any mistakes you make. An internship is the place to learn, so ask many questions, observe everything, and always say “yes” to new tasks that may be nerve wracking. That way you can ensure you’ll get the absolute most our of your experience.
4) Expand Your Interests
One of the greatest perks about interning at a production company is that you’ll work on a variety of projects, making it a great place to see where you fit in. You may find that you enjoy certain projects more than others, and it’ll give you some insights into what kind of role or career you want for yourself.
Prior to apply for an internship, look at the companies’ production reel because it’ll give you excellent insight into the kinds of projects they produce. Perhaps you’ll work on a project that you didn’t initially think would be interesting, only to find that you really enjoyed that project the most. An internship is an excellent way to learn more about your likes and dislikes and expand your interests.
5) Potential Permanent Position
There’s always the potential for full-time employment at the end of the program. In fact, many companies will use internships as part of their recruitment efforts or as a test-run of potential employees before committing to hiring them.
As a production intern, you’d likely hope to be offered the job of a production assistant (PA), which is an entry-level role and is most often seen as a steppingstone to more advanced careers in the production industry. If you acquire a role as a PA after your internship, you could then utilize your experience to transition into other roles that interest you, such as a camera assistant, camera operator, or sound and lighting technician.
If you’re not offered a permanent role at the production company where you interned, the experience on your résumé alone could help you land a role elsewhere.
Apply for an Internship at Sorrentino Media
We are always looking for more interns to join our boutique video production company in New York. If you’re interested in a part-time or full-time internship position, reach out to us online or give us a call at (212) 203-8419 today!