2 answers
Nathan
Student
Fenton, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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As someone studying film and screenwriting, how do I go about finding jobs within my field upon graduation or while in school?
I understand that many schools offer programs for students to find internships as well as make connections, but what are my other options?
#Spring26
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2 answers
Caleb Dillon
Screenwriter
5
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Caleb’s Answer
Hi Nathan: Filmmaking and screenwriting, especially, is going through a bit of a transitional phase right now, as fewer projects are being made while the industry adjusts from the post-streaming wars and consolidation; seasoned writers are struggling, so just understand that it's a marathon, not a sprint, and it best to think of this as a long game.
If you are in school, still an active student, you can apply for industry internships; this is a great way to network, especially if you are local to LA. Most of the major production companies and agencies look for interns seasonally. If you like reading you could do a development internship. If you want to branch out, you might look for internships in editing, production, set PA, or the like. Most internships are a few days a week, usually in person, so you'll get to meet people, build connections, and network. One of my favorite places for this is Hollylist, which is only $5 a month, and it presents a curated list with new jobs from a wide variety of sites daily. You can sort these by internships. Cast a wide net - these are highly competitive, and you'll need to apply to dozens, maybe a hundred, to even score a few interviews. If you have connections, like via LinkedIn, former alumni, reach out to them and ask about openings in their respective departments that might need interns. Networking starts with a simple offer to help.
Another option is the WGA posts fellowships and internships a few times a year, usually in the spring. Many of these are writing fellowships, diversity initiatives, or training programs. Again, cast a wide net. Apply for whatever you can.
https://www.wga.org/the-guild/advocacy/inclusion-and-equity/industry-writing-programs
Humanitas also offers a few College Only programs each year that are exclusive to college students who write for TV - comedy or drama. You can only apply when you are in school, but these are very competitive, so don't get discouraged if you struggle to find success at first:
https://www.humanitasprize.org/programs
If you don't see yourself making much traction in the Fellowships, don't worry, you're not alone - they are highly competitive. The best thing you can do is be diligent and develop strong samples. I can't emphasize that enough. It can take time, years in most cases. There are always exceptions; you might be the DaVinci of screenwriters, but for most of us, it's about putting in the 10,000 hours to really hone the craft. From there, you'll need to develop a small, focused portfolios of scripts, (2-5 excellent samples) refine those samples with feedback, and support yourself while doing so. You need to develop a sustainable, long-term writing habit that consistently increases the quality and volume of your work.
Once you have some solid samples, it can be worthwhile to enter a few contests and put your work out there. The Nicholl is a competitive Fellowship Program, and if your school is one of a handful that is part of their program, then you may be able to submit through your school. If not, you may wish to check out Blcklst (and yes, that's how it's spelled) . While opinions vary about their effectiveness, both programs have a record of success for helping writers find new opportunities. Check them out:
https://press.oscars.org/news/academy-motion-picture-arts-and-sciences-partner-global-university-programs-screenwriting-labs
https://blcklst.com/about
Lastly, if you are a filmmaker, then making your own stuff can be a bridge into the industry, but that's a whole other thing - the short version is write stuff, make stuff, send stuff out into the world (via YouTube, festivals, contests) and just... see what happens. Smart filmmakers use this to build their craft and develop visual samples, but it's a saturated market, and making movies isn't for everybody. It will make you a better writer, if that helps.
If this all feels like a lot, that's because it is. There is no one path forward and none of them are easy. Which is why the long road is the only road ahead - be patient; write things, rewrite things, get good at the craft. While you are in college, apply to internships and programs that are college-only. After school, continue refining your work. If you can afford to be in LA, great. If you can't, that's okay - just keep diversifying your attempts. Never sink all your resources into any one thing - try a few contests, a few Fellowships, apply for opportunities, rinse and repeat til you either quit or git gud'. If at any time you find this isn't for you, no worries - move on. Life is too short.
Finally, a last bit of advice - live life. The more life you live, the richer your experiences and writing will become. Travel, love, work, repeat, and then write about it. Those experiences may be the thing that makes your writing great, and eventually, breaks you in.
Good luck!
If you are in school, still an active student, you can apply for industry internships; this is a great way to network, especially if you are local to LA. Most of the major production companies and agencies look for interns seasonally. If you like reading you could do a development internship. If you want to branch out, you might look for internships in editing, production, set PA, or the like. Most internships are a few days a week, usually in person, so you'll get to meet people, build connections, and network. One of my favorite places for this is Hollylist, which is only $5 a month, and it presents a curated list with new jobs from a wide variety of sites daily. You can sort these by internships. Cast a wide net - these are highly competitive, and you'll need to apply to dozens, maybe a hundred, to even score a few interviews. If you have connections, like via LinkedIn, former alumni, reach out to them and ask about openings in their respective departments that might need interns. Networking starts with a simple offer to help.
Another option is the WGA posts fellowships and internships a few times a year, usually in the spring. Many of these are writing fellowships, diversity initiatives, or training programs. Again, cast a wide net. Apply for whatever you can.
https://www.wga.org/the-guild/advocacy/inclusion-and-equity/industry-writing-programs
Humanitas also offers a few College Only programs each year that are exclusive to college students who write for TV - comedy or drama. You can only apply when you are in school, but these are very competitive, so don't get discouraged if you struggle to find success at first:
https://www.humanitasprize.org/programs
If you don't see yourself making much traction in the Fellowships, don't worry, you're not alone - they are highly competitive. The best thing you can do is be diligent and develop strong samples. I can't emphasize that enough. It can take time, years in most cases. There are always exceptions; you might be the DaVinci of screenwriters, but for most of us, it's about putting in the 10,000 hours to really hone the craft. From there, you'll need to develop a small, focused portfolios of scripts, (2-5 excellent samples) refine those samples with feedback, and support yourself while doing so. You need to develop a sustainable, long-term writing habit that consistently increases the quality and volume of your work.
Once you have some solid samples, it can be worthwhile to enter a few contests and put your work out there. The Nicholl is a competitive Fellowship Program, and if your school is one of a handful that is part of their program, then you may be able to submit through your school. If not, you may wish to check out Blcklst (and yes, that's how it's spelled) . While opinions vary about their effectiveness, both programs have a record of success for helping writers find new opportunities. Check them out:
https://press.oscars.org/news/academy-motion-picture-arts-and-sciences-partner-global-university-programs-screenwriting-labs
https://blcklst.com/about
Lastly, if you are a filmmaker, then making your own stuff can be a bridge into the industry, but that's a whole other thing - the short version is write stuff, make stuff, send stuff out into the world (via YouTube, festivals, contests) and just... see what happens. Smart filmmakers use this to build their craft and develop visual samples, but it's a saturated market, and making movies isn't for everybody. It will make you a better writer, if that helps.
If this all feels like a lot, that's because it is. There is no one path forward and none of them are easy. Which is why the long road is the only road ahead - be patient; write things, rewrite things, get good at the craft. While you are in college, apply to internships and programs that are college-only. After school, continue refining your work. If you can afford to be in LA, great. If you can't, that's okay - just keep diversifying your attempts. Never sink all your resources into any one thing - try a few contests, a few Fellowships, apply for opportunities, rinse and repeat til you either quit or git gud'. If at any time you find this isn't for you, no worries - move on. Life is too short.
Finally, a last bit of advice - live life. The more life you live, the richer your experiences and writing will become. Travel, love, work, repeat, and then write about it. Those experiences may be the thing that makes your writing great, and eventually, breaks you in.
Good luck!
Thank you, this is all great advice!
Nathan
Jay Cipriani
Writer
2
Answers
Burbank, California
Updated
Jay’s Answer
The answer to this question is going to be different by the time you graduate, so the best thing to do is work at becoming the best writer you can be — develop your voice, study the masters, and focus on the process and not the results. You are going to meet people in school and that will be the beginnings of your "network", keep your eyes and ears open for jobs. Focus on your craft. It's a challenging path, but if you love writing and telling stories, the challenges are worth it.
I just recommended this book in another answer, but I'll recommend it here too — read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. It's the closest thing to a road map for navigating uncertainty I've found, and it's particularly useful for anyone going into a field where you can't control the outcomes.
I just recommended this book in another answer, but I'll recommend it here too — read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. It's the closest thing to a road map for navigating uncertainty I've found, and it's particularly useful for anyone going into a field where you can't control the outcomes.
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Nathan