internships for film production

Whatever your role on a film set is, cash and credit are usually the best rewards you can hope for. Getting the chance to learn from someone in the industry is priceless, but there’s little else in the way of monetary compensation.

As an intern, you’ll get the chance to learn, ask questions, network and make contacts. You’ll also get a chance to show off your skills and impress your boss (which can hopefully lead to getting hired later on). So in that sense, the experience is priceless.

But, if you’re expecting cash or credit for your work as a set PA or production coordinator – these are usually the best rewards you can hope for.

How to find an internship in production

So you want to learn more about the world of film production? Great! There’s no better way to do it than through a production internship. Here are some tips for finding the right one for you:

• Determine your top must-haves in an internship. Will you need a stipend? Do you want school credit? Is it important that this internship be virtual, or do you prefer to work on-site at an office or film lot? What type of projects would you like to work on, and which ones are off-limits due to personal morals or ethical concerns? Nailing down these details will help ensure your future satisfaction with the position, whether it’s a short-term gig or the start of a lifelong career path.
• [View our current openings.](https://www.indeedjobs.com/crunchyroll/_hl/en_US) We’d love to have you as part of our team! If we don’t currently have any openings that match your interests and skills, make sure to check back regularly—we’re always hiring interns who are excited about anime and ready to learn!
• Interested in working with us but can’t find an opening at Crunchyroll that matches your criteria? No worries! Check out these other anime companies in San Francisco where we think you might be able to find what you’re looking for: [Netflix](https://www.netflixjobs.com/), [Funimation](https://funimation.com/careers/), [Adult Swim](https://careers.turnerjobs.com/adultswim).

How much does an internship in film cost?

Most internships in the film industry are unpaid positions, but some do provide monetary benefits. If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, many universities will allow you to earn course credit for your internship. Additionally, there may be financial aid or scholarships available through your school that can help cover the costs of participation in a production internship.

Some internships are paid positions and others provide a stipend. Stipends are generally given after an internship is completed and range from $100 to $1,000 per week depending on the program. To get an idea of what a specific film program might cost, check its website for more information.

Is an internship worth it?

You’re ready to get your foot in the door and start building a career in the film industry, but you don’t have much experience. Internships are a great way to get experience, so you should apply for as many of them as you can, right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Internships can be valuable tools for gaining knowledge and making connections that will help you build a career in an industry. However, they are not guarantees that you’ll be hired by the organization, or anywhere else at all. In fact some organizations offer internships simply because their competitors do it – and they don’t know what else to do with them!

If your internship is unpaid or low-paid and doesn’t give you any concrete skills that will help your future employment prospects, then it may not be worth taking on if it disrupts other plans or commitments (like classes). But if it helps you make an important connection – like an influential producer or director – then maybe it is worth it!

Best internships for production jobs

When it comes to looking for internships, the fact that the film industry is so competitive often means that you won’t be able to find a paid position.

There are still plenty of great opportunities available in the industry and through various colleges and universities. Depending on the type of qualification you want to achieve, you can actually find internships which are unpaid but will teach you what you need to know about working in production. These courses are typically brief—often lasting a few weeks—and will enable you to work alongside other students and hopefuls just like yourself. These short courses often give students real-life experience on set, as well as ensuring safety and good practices are adhered to at all times. They also ensure that students have access to professional equipment and learn how it should be handled properly within an environment similar to those they’ll be working in after graduation or completion of their course.

Unpaid internships will allow young people or amateurs looking for an entry-level job in the industry without any prerequisites (such as having a degree), a chance to gain valuable experience and make contacts which may prove useful later on down the line when applying for paid employment positions with established professionals further along their careers, such as producers or directors.

Best internships for directing jobs

Companies that offer internships for directing jobs include:

• Walt Disney Studios: Aspiring directors can learn about this art form through the lens of a giant corporation. This internship does not involve directing, but will give you insight into the business side of filmmaking as well as familiarize you with studio systems.
• Focus Features: Directing interns will get to observe first-hand how movies are made, and can meet actors, directors and film crew members. You will also work on set during movie shoots and have access to special screenings of films.
• Miramax Films: Learn what it takes to direct a feature film in this internship at Miramax Films—the studio behind movies like Pulp Fiction and Good Will Hunting—which pairs aspiring directors with a mentor who is an experienced director at the company.

The filmmaking business is highly competitive, so any chance to get real experience helps you stand out.

The filmmaking business is highly competitive, so any chance to get real experience helps you stand out. No matter what type of internship you secure, it comes with a host of benefits that can help shape your future:

• You get a foot in the door. The more experience you have in the industry, the more valuable you are to potential employers. An internship gives you a chance to not only prove yourself but also to make connections before you graduate from school. You never know who might notice your work ethic or skill set and end up hiring you down the road!
• Learn by doing. Sure, film theory is important and college classes are great for learning about camera angles and lighting techniques—but nothing beats real-world experience when it comes to working in the film industry! Internships offer opportunities for practical learning that’s hard to find in a classroom setting. You’ll learn on-set etiquette, how to communicate effectively with people from different departments (like sound designers, cinematographers, editors), and all sorts of other tips that can’t be taught in school.