Image: Pexels

Work experience in creative industries: it really does exist

Since arriving at university to study Film and Literature, the message I have been getting has been: “It’s what you do around your course that counts”. Keen to enter the film industry and receive a more hands-on experience, I scoured the web for some production companies in Coventry and Birmingham. People have asked me whether it is hard to find an internship or work placement. My answer to this question is that while it is easy to find a company near you, it is far harder to find a company that will actually acknowledge your application. While most of the emails I sent out did not receive a reply, there was a small number of film companies which took the time to write back, even if it was just to say that they had no placements available. Whether or not film companies make the effort to write back can reveal a lot about their work ethic and general attitude.

I was very excited to start work there and to be able to add something valuable to my CV.

By November, I had received a reply from a company in Birmingham called Colonel Duck Productions, which is a multimedia and production company that creates media for other enterprises. On my visit in December, I was greeted very warmly by their creative developer, Mike, who took the time to listen to the previous experience I had in terms of film and my background. I was then shown around their offices and offered a work placement in the summer.

Arriving in July, I was very excited to start work there and to be able to add something valuable to my CV. The aspect of the company that struck me the most was that it was really committed to getting me involved with all or any of their ongoing projects. They took an interest in me and wanted to help me complete any task I was set. In my time there, I designed a website, edited several short videos and generally got to know the company better. The only part that I regret is that I never managed to get on-site experience in video production, but was rather confined to the office of the company. However, the close proximity to their administration meant that I quickly developed an appreciation for their work ethic, which was characterised by efficiency, dedication, and motivation to do the best possible job while delivering great customer service.

participating in the workings of a small company as well as a larger company is vitally important

I think participating in the workings of a small company as well as a larger company is vitally important, in the respect that it gives you different insights and aspects. As a smaller company, I felt it definitely worked better with less bureaucracy and a friendly atmosphere, in addition to  being incredibly efficient. Though working in the office of a film production company might not be exactly what I imagined to be doing, it has nevertheless been an experience that bestowed upon me a great deal of confidence in securing further work experience with the insight into the industry it has given me.


 

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.