Interns are required to work a minimum of 8 - 10 hours per week during fall and spring semesters. Summer I and II minimum requirements are 20 hours per week.
An important part of your Internship experience is having some specific learning objectives going into your internship. You will need to formulate 2-3 of these, in consultation with your agency supervisor, during the first two weeks of the Fall or Spring semesters. For summer internships, you must submit your learning objectives during the first week of the semester.
To learn more about learning objectives, and UNCW Internships in general, please refer to the UNCW Internship page.
Always keep safety in mind as you perform the duties related to your internship. If you are working on a film set, for example, be aware of any potential hazards, such as hot lights, electrical cables, heavy equipment being moved, etc. Don't do anything that would put you or anyone else at risk.
Some internship employers request UNCW faculty and staff and students to sign Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreements, transferring from the employer to UNCW liability for personal claims, wrongful death or property damage arising out of the performance of their student internship program.
The University of North Carolina legal counsel has informed UNCW Career Services that there is a list of "Prohibited Contract Clauses" which the NC Attorney General has published for State agencies (including UNC schools). Number three on that list of prohibited clauses is "Hold-Harmless or Indemnification Clauses, Both in Tort and Contract, in Favor of the Contractor."
Therefore, UNCW and all State agencies actually lack the authority to indemnify and hold harmless another entity, and no UNCW faculty, staff or student should sign such an agreement.
Finally, please remember that you are representing not only yourself, but also the Film Studies Department and UNCW. As the saying goes: "It's better to be 30 minutes early than 30 seconds late." For example, don't tell the agency you can be there 10 minutes after your class ends at UNCW, or you'll run the risk of frequently being late and making a bad impression (or worse, being terminated and failing). It is your responsibility to work out any scheduling issues with your supervisor at the agency.
Best of luck with your Internship! I hope it is an invaluable learning experience, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Shannon Silva.
Trailblazer Studios (PAID. Must apply directly to the company)
Major studio internships are online applications ONLY. You are responsible for making applications to individual studios on your own. If you obtain an internship, we can get you academic credit. Please see the Film Studies main Internship page under "Important Online Links and Leads" for an incomplete list of specific studios and other agencies for jobs and internships. You should also Google studios and production companies for possible positions.
Before applying to any internship out of state, or abroad, be sure that you can AFFORD to spend a semester, or a summer away. DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN PAY FOR TUITION AND ALL TRAVEL AND LIVING EXPENSES.
Chicago Film Archives (Must apply yourself. Look under "Intern Program".)
Internship positions in LA and NY may include: script readers, development and acquisitions departments, marketing, distributors, studios, film crews, film archiving and screening, film criticism magazines, film studies publishers, film festivals, talent agencies, agents, and many others. You are encouraged to find new agencies on your own, suited to your interests in film. If you find an agency you would like to work with, please contact Internship Director Shannon Silva.
PLEASE NOTE: When considering a Los Angeles, New York City, or worldwide internship, you should ALWAYS look for internships on your own as the needs and personnel at the companies we work with change from year to year and can be unpredictable.
Major studio internships are online applications ONLY. You are responsible for making applications to individual studios on your own. If you obtain an internship, we can get you academic credit.
Before applying to any internship out of state, or abroad, be sure that you can AFFORD to spend a semester, or a summer away. DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN PAY FOR TUITION AND ALL TRAVEL AND LIVING EXPENSES.
FYI: In 2016, the state of New York passed a law requiring that all internships must be paid.
While this is good news for interns, it makes the process very competitive.