How to get into Hollywood as an Intern

Get your foot in Hollywood’s door. With these internships, you won’t just be taking care of the director’s dry cleaning or taking lunch orders with these internships. Most of the time.

Jay Leno needs help with his monologue jokes. Scripts for the Tonight Show have to be read and analysed. Reprise Records needs help coordinating concert tickets with radio stations, setting up interviews with label talent and managing mailings.

These are just some of the roles available for college student interns in LA, home of Hollywood and the beautiful.

Amy Wood, a senior Television and Radio major at Ithaca College, said she enjoys working on Ithaca College Television, but her main interest lies in producing documentaries. So she decided to go out to Los Angeles to work for Film Garden, a documentary production company.

Guide to the Goods

Step one
Be sure to consult the Hollywood Reporter and Variety, which list numerous internship and job openings in L.A. Also, by frequently reading these magazines, you will get a sense of the careers in the entertainment industry.

Step two
Send out your cover letters and resumes ASAP. These internships go fast and you don’t want to miss out.

Step three
Even though it seems hard to believe, these companies want you more than you want them. The free labor you’d be supplying is in high demand, so be selective when you have several offers.

Step four
Once you’ve picked the lucky company, work hard. When you are not given work to do, ask for something to do. By showing your interest and enthusiasm, you will gain more and more responsibilities.

Step five
Don’t forget to remind them exactly when you will be graduating in case they’ll need a full-time , paid employee later. Send a thank you card and always keep in touch.

Woods said she was given many responsibilities at Film Garden and this experience has increased her interest in working in documentary production.

“During my work day I learned the basics of the Avid editing system and various field camera tricks,” Woods said. “Throughout my internship I was also able to talk to my co-workers and learn valuable insights about documentary production and the industry as a whole.”

Film Garden produces series which explore the many “mysteries” of American culture including amusement parks, supermodels and pro wrestling. And the staff at Film Garden is small, young and friendly, Woods said.

“The general atmosphere of the office is casual, very open and a little on the loud side,” Woods said. “But through the fun and laughter, work is still the number one priority.”

Woods participated in weekly staff meetings where the workers were updated on the development of new projects. She also attended shoots.

“Although their programs are shot in the field, I had the opportunity to attend a few shoots, including one at Magic Mountain Amusement Park and another at Barnum & Bailey Circus,” Woods said. “I was able to see what works and what doesn’t from both a technical and a creative standpoint.”

Unless a student is working on a film set (which can require seventy five to eighty hours a week), students typically pick their own hours and spread their time between two or more internships.

Anthony Iffando, a senior Corporate Communications major at Ithaca College, split his hours between Capitol Records and Roger and Cowan. At Capitol Records, Iffando wrote press releases, conducted research, sent out mailings and made follow-up calls.

Although Woods, who’s been offered a full-time positionat Film Garden, and Iffando had fantastic experiences some students are not as fortunate — there are always companies that do not live up to their promises.

By Liz Barett

AskStudent Guest Correspondent

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