Want to get into media? Try a day of unpaid work to get you started!
The media is an industry where the possibilities are endless. Many people are wanting to get into the field of media, whether it is in magazines, films, radio and so on. Alot is involved from the initial idea of an production, to the final product, to sourcing an audience.
I have been wanting to work within the media since I can remember. I first wanted to be a radio presenter, I remember being about 9 years old, pretending to have a studio talking into a home made microphone (a finished toilet roll with a ball on top to resemble a microphone.)
I then wanted to be a photographer, taking "artistic" photographs. Little did I know that they were actually terrible excuses of a photo. Now as I am older and understand much more about the world of media production, completing a GCSE with A* grades, I feel very strongly that this is the right path for me. No matter how much you know about the media industry, there will always be more to learn. As I am a absolute beginner, and know next to nothing compared to what I need to know I will continue to learn.
What you can do
If you are interested in getting some work experience from a media company, whether it be for a day, a week or longer then I strongly suggest finding media business's local to your area to start off with. Find out all of the companies in a 20mile radius to your home (or however far you are willing to travel) and email them. I would advise to make a cover letter giving some information about yourself and why you would be useful for that company to give you some work. I would propose attaching a CV also as your employer would want as much information on you as possible. If none have replied
Dont set your standards too high
Please don't expect for these companies to call you up, pay you a million pounds an hour and to let you direct. The more realistic view of this is that they will most likely let you watch what is going on so you can have a feel of the enviroment, and maybe make some cups of tea. Who knows though you may get lucky and people may see some potential in you and let you do more. Also, you not even get paid and remember, experience is invaluble. If you are given some experience I strongly advise to take it, no matter how far it is away (as long as it is reasonable) and do not fuss if you are not paid.
My experience within a production on 19th May 2012
The studio set up
I wanted to get some experience, so I applied on a website called Mandy. I applied for a production assistant role for a charity advert that was going to be in production. They emailed me back saying that I was successful and gave me some more information on the shoot. I was quite nervous as I did not know what to expect, yet was confident as I knew that I would try my absolute best. When I arrived to the studio in Soho at 9am I was greeted by the director and all the actors that were there.
A clapper board
I helped unload the car of all of the props. Inside with the other production assistant I set up all of the props for each episode that was going to be shot. I helped out the actors to get comfortable and made drinks for the crew members and actors.
I was then asked to control the clapper board, which is when you hold the clapper up to the screen introducing which set and take is going to be filmed. I did that for most of the day being on set around all of the crew which included the director, lighting assistant, the camera man and the sound man who was operating the boom mic. It was very interesting being on set and so close to the actors and the crew. It was also very interesting to see the way that the crew all worked with each other. I met some great people, learnt alot and had a very interesting and fun day.
I hope that if you are interested in working within the media, you make the effort to get in there and don't give up!It's who you are inside that makes you a star!
Lucy Findlater
