Film industry internships: more than a coffee gopher

Moving up the ladder in the film industry is all about knowing the right people.

“Film is… Moving up the ladder in the film industry is all about knowing the right people.

“Film is different from other career tracks where you just have to do well in school and participate in a few clubs to get a job. You really have to make connections if you want to succeed,” said Pitt film studies major Bahvin Amin. The best way for students with film-related aspirations to make contacts in the business world is through an internship, and film studies majors at Pitt have more options than they probably realize.

Although the film studies program at Pitt focuses on theory, there are plenty of opportunities in the Pittsburgh area for students to get involved with production. “When I first came to Pitt, I thought I’d have to go to New York or Los Angeles for a semester to do a film internship. But more and more people are filming their movies in Pittsburgh, and I think students should take advantage of that,” said film studies major Josh Green, who worked behind the scenes of an independent film recently shot in Pittsburgh called “The Bridge to Nowhere.”

Vanessa Sterling, academic internship coordinator at the Office of Experiential Learning at Pitt, also stresses the value of interning to film majors. “Internships are a very good exploration of what the students learned in class. They show students what film production really is in the flesh – what it looks like, what it smells like, tastes like,” said Sterling.

Students hired for film related internships typically work as production assistants, but a few organizations in the area involve interns with editing and post-production work. Interns who gain credibility are often given more responsibilities and will have the chance to help with costuming or set design. Though interns will most likely not be involved in actual production, they often gain a better understanding of all that is required to make the filming process successful.

As a production assistant, Green did office work that included printing out script edits, making phone calls and filing actors’ paperwork.

“I had an idea about the hectic nature of working on a film set, but I had never experienced it for myself. [The internship] gave me the chance to see what it really is like,” said Green.

Internships for credit are never paid, but students generally find that the other benefits of working for producers are well worth their while. In exchange for his time in the office, Green got to spend time with production coordinators and was even able to talk to director Blair Underwood. Amin, who also worked as a production assistant during the filming of “The Bridge to Nowhere,” did scheduling and filing for producers at first, but was later given the chance to be on set. He ran errands, moved equipment and got to know some of the people involved in the production in between shooting.

“It was a very relaxed environment,” said Amin. “The crew members would even get drinks with us sometimes after shooting.”

According to Sterling, the best place to begin when searching for an internship is the PantherTRACS database. When film and documentary crews need interns, they contact Sterling directly, who then makes this information available through PantherTRACS, which can be accessed by all Pitt students with a valid university e-mail address. The Pittsburgh Film Office is another good place to start when looking for an internship. Its goal is to attract filmmakers to the Pittsburgh area to encourage economic development. The PFO typically hires juniorsand seniors with experience in marketing, business or film. Interns have the opportunity to attend the organization’s annual Oscar Party, which is a great way to meet industry professionals.

“I always tell interns that it’s all about what you make of where you are. I’ve had kids come in as office interns and the next thing you know they’re associate producers because of the contacts they made at the Oscar Party,” said Conner.

Pittsburgh Filmmakers also looks for college interns. It is a non-profit organization that displays the work of prominent artists in the area and provides equipment access and funding for independent media arts. Work is varied but often includes helping with fundraising for non-profit art-related organizations. An internship with Pittsburgh Filmmakers is perfect for students interested in film criticism and theory, as it gets them involved in film festivals in the area.

For film studies majors interested in editing, The Craftsman’s Guild offers internships to students who have experience with desktop video production programs such as iMovie, Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro. They look for students with basic camera skills.

There are also a lot of options available to students with an interest in television. A lot of film students have had the opportunity to work with WQED, the PBS affiliate in Pittsburgh. Students who intern with the company generally work as production assistants, learning about what goes on behind the scenes of a news broadcast. WPGH-TV also looks for interns. During their time at the studio, students learn about newsroom operations and shadow reporters and photographers. Interns also have a chance to produce their own news story. KDKA-TV is the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh and offers internships that involve editing, production and promotion.

Another way to learn about opportunities is through Pitt in Hollywood, a club intended for film studies majors, but is open to all students who are interested in production. The organization contacts producers and executives and invites them to come and speak to students about their experiences in the industry. It is a good way to network with people in the business. Pitt in Hollywood also sends e-mails continually about internships. Amin was connected with one of the producers from “The Bridge to Nowhere” through Pitt in Hollywood and was given a two-month internship with Smithfield Street Productions.

Even for students who are ambivalent about pursuing a career in the industry, film internships are a good way to explore an interest in the discipline. As Sterling said, “If a student is truly passionate about film, having an internship is a great way to see if working in the business is the best way to accommodate that passion.”