Work experience

[stennyhouse]

Hi everyone,

My daughter is 17 and she wants to study Film and TV at Uni. She needs some experience working in the industry. Can anyone help? Has anyone got any contacts? We are based in Manchester. She is interested in the production side of things as opposed to the acting. She would help with any projects, film stuff, edit, photograph anything etc- all for free!!

[Flosmom]

Good luck to your DD.

There are always lots of ads for crew on Star Now. She can pick up oppotunities there. Or search for local production companies and offer her services as an intern.

Alternatively, she could spend some time making some films of her own and entering them into festivals. That way, she'd be sure to have a portfolio to show to potential employers, and she may even start a successful production company of her own - who knows what entrepreneurial skills she may have.

Hope all goes well.

Deb x

[riverdancefan]

Might not be exactly what she is looking for but I would try approaching

NYMT and YMT for experience back stage as I know they take on young people for their summer productions

Also alot of agencies take on work experience young people to get a feel of booking and interacting with CDs etc

Good luck!!!

[paulears]

Has she thought about TV - Granada and the BBC could be useful places to start? Getting work experience as a runner is always useful - they get to see everything, meet everyone and be kind of transparent (nobody pays much attention to them). Getting into theatres as work experience is very difficult, unless you know somebody who can arrange it. Cold calling wanting work experience is so common that many stage doors simply say there is a policy that they can't help at the moment which is often untrue, but just practical. However - at 17 she's in a good position, because theatres should say no to anyone under 16 by law, and the number of 17 year olds is limited. These two things sort of contradict, but if they are going to take somebody, a 17 year old is so much better for them!

[pg]

Although this might not be quite what is wanted, I though I'd post it up anyway because it might be of interest to others too:

http://underthefringe.com/blog/2012/05/ ... derground/

I think they are interested in volunteers to help out in other ways too and there is a (small) film element in the Fringe (Buxton shorts competition) shown at Underground Venues.

I know the people involved and not only do they run this venue during the Buxton Fringe, I also know that Yaz is very interested in film making, so he might be a good person to get to know.

The other possibility is to join Shooting People. There are countless low-budget, independent film makers out there looking for people to help out. Also, go to as many film festivals as possible and do some networking! Take a few business cards along, collect all the contact details from film makers that you can and follow it up with a contact after the event.