How to Get a Screenwriting Internship

Internships can be a great way to gain experience and get your foot in the door of the film and television industry. Being able to say that you interned at well-known companies can be an impressive experience to have on your resume and show that you’re willing to start from the ground level and work your way up! Today I’m talking about the various kinds of internships screenwriters should be looking for and how someone can go about finding a screenwriting internship that helps them on their career path.

If you’re going to school for screenwriting and looking for an internship to gain experience in the industry, your internship doesn’t need to be (and likely won’t be) writing based. Often just gaining industry experience, networking, and seeing how different areas of production work is incredibly beneficial. In your internship, you might find yourself doing anything from providing receptionist work, acting as an assistant to an agent at an agency, or maybe just doing the stereotypical intern work of getting the coffee. The most crucial aspect of your internship is the unique opportunity for networking that it affords you. Meet people, form friendships, help people out, and ask many questions; you never know when knowing someone will be the key to helping your career – whether that’s through connections or information.

Check the Big Companies

Big companies such as Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, and Disney all have sections on their websites dedicated to the various internship opportunities. Research their offerings and see what options you may be interested in! Opportunities at larger companies are often more competitive, so take to heart what each company says about what they’re looking for within an applicant’s resume or portfolio.

Check the Smaller Production Companies, Too

Moderate or small production companies also offer internship opportunities, and these can be more hands-on. Nothing listed on the website? Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask them if they have any internships you can apply for. Tell them what you can do for them, rather than the other way around.

Check with Your School

If you’re a film student, check in with your program and see if your school has any specific internship opportunities that they’re connected to. Your school may be able to give you access and a leg up in securing a particular internship if they have a previous relationship with the company.

SoCreate.it and Other Websites

A website like Entertainmentcareers.net can be a great resource to help you find internship opportunities. They have a section of their website dedicated specifically to listing various internships in the entertainment industry.  SoCreate also keeps a running list of fresh opportunities and posts new internships to Instagram and Facebook frequently. Bookmark the page and return to it often.

Don’t sweat what you’re doing at your internship too much. Focus on the people you meet while doing it and the relationships you can form! You’ll learn so much through immersion that you can’t glean in a classroom. Happy writing!