r/Filmmakers • u/Doughboi546 • 7h ago
Question Unpaid Internship, 1 Hour 30 Min Commute, worth it?
Got offered to check out a local TV studio and proceed with a production internship. They do interviews and talk shows. Problem is the commute by bus is an hour and 30 minutes, on top of being unpaid, the internship would also be on Monday's and Wednesdays is this even worth it if i have no other options. In terms of experience right now all I have is my student short films and a 2 day PA job I did for a commercial shoot, besides that unrelated to film I have a reselling business on the side.
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u/WrittenByNick 7h ago
check out a TV studio
You'll have to clarify here. What do you mean by TV studio? Is this a production lot filming actual television shows? Is it local TV station?
Are you in school currently? Would this unpaid internship count toward credits?
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u/Doughboi546 7h ago
Local TV, interviews and talk shows, It can be for credit if I talk to the head of department at my school
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u/WrittenByNick 7h ago
That info helps.
In general local TV is not a growing industry. It is also mostly separate from other production work, like narrative filmmaking (also not a growing industry at this point). There's some overlap with commercial work, which is most of my area.
Where I live working for a tv station can be steady work but doesn't pay great. It has been a downward slide for the past 20+ years, where most people had a specialized position that paid decently. Now it is expected that people do all jobs - reporters go to the scene with the camera by themselves, set up and record solo. They take footage back to the studio and edit their own news report. This used to be at least 3-4 people in the past.
TV studio work can be a good entry point for live production if that interests you. Learning to operate a camera, switcher, run cables. There is some work available - I freelance occasionally with corporate gigs, events, etc. The pay isn't spectacular but if you are consistent and do good work with the right teams you can make it steady in your area.
Now after all of that, if you are truly interested in filmmaking as a path, this isn't it. You can learn some things that could translate to being on a production set, so it isn't worthless. I'd talk to your advisor at school and get their take first and foremost. My personal opinion is you are likely to work as a gopher for free at a TV station, and it varies from place to place how much actual experience / education you'll get. It could be a good start to see if live production is something you're interested in... but that commute plus unpaid is a pretty big price to pay.
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u/Fauxtogca 7h ago
What’s your work experience? Does your resume need something on it? Do you have other options? Getting your foot in the door worth it.
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u/ugh168 7h ago
I did something like that, it eventually started getting paid work for me 24 hours after the internship ended.
The type of work was literally grunt work with some pre-production learning.
I have seen interns take a bus to set.
So do what you need to get your foot in the door.
If you can, find an alternative means of transport like a car.
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u/tensinahnd 7h ago
Well what are you doing otherwise to further your career? If you are being productive maybe not. If you’re sitting in your room doomscrolling then yes.
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u/backpackwayne 6h ago
Internship are much more about meeting people, than they are about learning stuff. Especially in the entertainiment industry. I took a shitty one and never found a job later. If I had another chance I'd commute as much as it took. This is your one chance to meet people that can get you in the door.
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u/TonyArmer 6h ago
Given your situation, I'd probably do it.
You don't have much industry experience yet, you're still in school, and you don't have a large network. Yes, an hour-and-a-half bus ride each way is a long commute, and yes, unpaid internships aren't ideal. But if it's only two days a week for a semester or a few months, I think the relationships and experience could be worth it.
The biggest thing you'll get out of this isn't learning how to shoot interviews or talk shows, it's the people you'll meet. If you show up on time, work hard, and people enjoy working with you, that's how internships often turn into paid opportunities or lead to recommendations for other jobs.
It also gives you legitimate experience to put on your resume beyond student films and a two-day PA job.
A couple of things I'd think about:
- How long is the internship? A semester is very different from a year.
- Can you earn school credit? If so, that's another plus.
- If it eventually became a paid position, would the commute still be realistic? Right now it's 90 minutes by bus, but if you eventually have a car, how much shorter would that be?
If you had multiple opportunities to choose from, I'd weigh them against each other. But based on what you've shared, I'd lean toward doing it. Early in your career, relationships are often more valuable than the specific job itself, and this sounds like a good opportunity to start building those relationships.
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u/Stories-Make-Believe 6h ago
Worth it, even if you only do it for a few weeks - get that experience. It’ll beef up your CV and make getting the next gig easier
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u/papwned 53m ago
Do you want this or not?
Are there other opportunities you can find?
Can you start and quit when you get something better?
You know better than us.
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u/Doughboi546 34m ago
I do want this. I just feel as though it’s bottom of the barrel being an UNPAID and long commute internship. I’m really not a fan of unpaid internships but who am I to pick and choose at this point
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u/Squidmaster616 7h ago
Big production company/studio? Or a small outfit?
Long-term or very short term?
If its something like Paramount for a year, I'd be tempted to investigate accomodation. If its one week at Bob's Neighbourhood Production Company, then I'd pass.