It is notoriously difficult starting out in the production industry, with fierce competition even for unpaid positions. Most Directors typically start out at the bottom of the ladder, so maximizing the learning opportunity of an internship is key to your future success if you are looking to pursue a career in the documentary industry. We’ve put together our top tips for getting started as an intern and making it in the documentary industry.
Applying to internships
Make your application specific to each production company you apply for
When applying for internships at different production companies, don’t take the one size fits all approach. Take your time to research the areas each company specialise in, so that when you apply you can demonstrate experience and interests that are relevant to the position. The likelihood is that a production company won’t pursue an applicant if they receive a generic application for an available post, as it doesn’t demonstrate enthusiasm for working for this specific company. A sloppy application won’t give the employer the sense that you have a keen eye for detail, which is a critical attribute for working in the production industry, so spend time making sure your covering letter is specific and to the point.
Find your niche
Read blogs, watch documentaries and carve out specific genres you are interested in becoming a specialist in. There is a wealth of information online for budding documentary fanatics and it is important that when you are applying to internships you know the specific genres you are interested in working on. A good way to find the right production company for you is to work backwards – Find programmes that have inspired you, and then approach those production companies to see if they have available internships.
Making the most of your time
Maximise your learning potential
Think about the skills you want and need to develop from your time as an intern. Internships don’t always naturally result in a job offer, so it is important you get a diverse range of experiences and skills that will help you to further your career. Any production company offering an internship should be investing in the learning potential of their intern, so providing a good learning experience should be a priority for them. Take the opportunity to learn from the team, rather than trying to pitch your film reel. If you impress with your creativity and enthusiasm to learn, you will be remembered when a position does come available.
Polish up on your research skills
Being able to efficiently research is a vital skill for working in the documentary industry. Brush up on your research skills prior to starting your internship as the likelihood is that this will form a large part of your work experience. Getting practice by choosing a specific documentary topic and then going through the research process is a really effective way of learning how to approach researching. Spending time working out the most effective research methods will also put you in good stead for maximizing your time as an intern.
Get your name out there
Take advantage of opportunities to meet others in the industry and get your name out there. Making and maintaining connections is key for developing your career in the production industry. You will often also need to liaise with clients on a daily basis, so good communication and social skills are vital. As well as representing the production company you are working for, you need to be able sell yourself as a professional individual who people want to work with. In the future your network of contacts will be integral in helping you climb the ladder and will give you access to documentary projects, so don’t pass up on the opportunity to start building your network.
Be enthusiastic and use your initiative
Don’t underestimate the importance of coming to work every day with a smile on your face and a can-do attitude. The more you put into your internship, the more you get out of it. In the past our most successful interns have been those who use their initiative and are creative, but at the same time are easy to work with and enthusiastic about the whole experience, whether it be carrying out research in our office or helping on set with our latest production.
Looking for a career in documentary and think you’ve got what it takes to become an intern? Send us your CV and covering letter to admin@roganproductions.net
