Interns
28 March 11
BAFTA's internship scheme provides a range of exciting opportunities within our unique organisation.
Interested in applying for one of BAFTA's rolling internships? New vacancies will be announced on bafta.org/jobs and on Twitter and Facebook . In the meantime, read on to find out what it's like to work as a BAFTA intern, described by the people who know best. They also share a few application tips, and struggle to identify their favourite films.
Current Interns
Georgina Cunningham | When I began to look into a little more about BAFTA and the other projects they work on, I discovered that they are involved with a lot more than just the Film Awards. I was attracted by the variety of different content and events they produce, and also the support and opportunities they offer towards rising talent. Every day is different as a Production Intern: organising shoots by creating call sheets, sending confirmation letters to crew, ordering any staging or props we may need, sending out POs... On the day of filming I will help the crew to unload the equipment from the van, make sure we have all of the relevant paperwork and that the crew are catered for and help to set up any equipment. Other things include archiving, organising folders, delivering tapes and prop-making. I’d say the highlight of my time has been working on the Screenwriters Lecture Series. I’ve had the chance to meet some amazing people and learn so much. I hope to eventually continue into production coordinating for BAFTA and hope that the experience I have gained through this internship will help me to achieve this. The advice I’d give to anyone looking for an internship would be to make sure you have a strong, well thought-out CV. Be persistent and try not be become disheartened if you don’t succeed first time; keep trying. Make sure you are keen and eager to learn. Most importantly: be yourself! |
Past Interns
Georgina Norton | I was attracted to BAFTA primarily by the shiny gold mask, but I also thought the role looked really interesting. I split my week between the fundraising and archive departments. Fundraising days are spent doing research into new funding opportunities, writing proposals and helping coordinate fundraising events. BAFTA is currently preparing to upload its photography collection onto an online database so my archive duties consist of editing and tagging photos from past awards and events. BAFTA’s unique access to talent over the years makes for some incredible photographs and some of the outfits provide a lot of amusement. Highlight so far of my time here? A great Friday afternoon spent at a drinks reception and Q&A with Imelda Staunton. Recently I’ve been extremely lucky and am stepping in to cover the maternity leave for the Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. I don’t really have a post-BAFTA plan but I certainly hope to stay working in the creative industries, in any position that comes my way. When writing applications I think it’s just as important to show you have personality and enthusiasm as well as the required skills. |
Joe Cunningham | The Communications Internship felt like something that I would enjoy and that I could potentially do well at, but would also help me develop and learn some new skills in the process. Plus, who doesn't want to work at somewhere as prestigious as BAFTA? There’s a lot of social media, and creating a social media plan that allocates how and when digital content can be promoted. I’m always preparing and uploading content onto BAFTA’s four main websites, and then promoting that content. There are also meetings to attend, minutes to take, and the occasional exciting event to live-tweet from. I get a perverse enjoyment out of seeing the Google Analytics graph slowly rise every month, and seeing the amount of Twitter followers edge closer to 100k. I’m hoping to keep writing and that as part of my day job. The internship has given me a great insight into another side of the film industry, and it has also developed my knowledge of content management systems, social media and understanding analytics, which are all vital when writing for an online audience. Advice: be passionate and really want the job. Make sure there are no glaring errors in your CV and application, and take time to find out about the position. Decide what you think you could gain from the internship, and what BAFTA could gain from choosing you. |
Rob Jones | I was attracted to BAFTA by the mix of media it covers: my nerdy twin passions are telly and videogames, but I never expected I’d be able to find work that allowed – nay, encouraged – me to indulge them equally. More than that, though, I wanted to be an active part of an organisation that drives excellence in the creative industries by finding inventive ways to get absolutely everybody involved in them. My job is to support BAFTA’s events programme: keeping the website up to date with all the latest events, publicising them, and keeping a steely eye on the email. I also create guestlists, book travel, and assemble the regular newsletters. Still, if variety’s the spice of life, this internship’s a real vindaloo – one minute you’re shepherding celebrities around backstage, the next you’re co-ordinating the hunt for Britain’s best young videogames designers, and then suddenly you’re fielding audience questions to Ralph Fiennes. The highlight so far is the Children’s Awards, definitely. Glamour, excitement, and more free chocolate than I could responsibly consume. Career plans aren’t my forte, but I’d like to continue working for organisations and events that take these brilliant creative industries that we have in this country, and channel them towards inspiring the public and encouraging new talent to cast off their shackles of fear and get stuck in making the next generation of great stuff. Twitter is a great place to start looking for internships and informally asking for advice - it’s an easy way to be part of an industry network. Even if (like me) you’re mostly just stood on the fringes licking a Calippo, you still might pick up some useful tidbits of info. |
Oliver Ray | Before this I was studying philosophy at university, which is three years of working out precisely how stupid you are, but feeling vaguely self-important whilst doing so. I applied to BAFTA inspired by a love of film, but principally because it was paid. I had two interviews during which I sweated profusely, but they seemed not to notice. As Communications Intern I assist our Online Editor in creating and delivering web content. I also help to manage BAFTA’s social media presence (on the Facebook, the tweety and suchlike). On some days I might work on an event and occasionally I get involved in production or PR. The purlieu of the communications team is broad and changing continually, so who knows what I’ll be doing next week? There are many good things about this job but highlights must include seeing content I have helped to create being used by thousands of people, being able to attend the members’ screenings and occasionally touching (appropriately) people off the telly. After BAFTA, I hope to continue existing as comfortably as possible. Tips for aspiring interns: do your research. And don’t take advice from incumbent interns. We are devious and not to be trusted. |
Nia Childs | My job is to help out on whatever needs doing to ensure an event is successful. This can be helping with the promotion of events through newsletters or answering questions for the public / members, general logistics such as booking cabs and couriers, and helping with the actual events such as guest lists and microphones and stuff (definitely the best part!). I couldn’t pinpoint one particular highlight… perhaps just getting to work at the events. It’s really nice to listen to people who you usually see as ‘inaccessible’ just sitting and talking about their craft. You get to be a part of it which is great. Yesterday my best friend and I walked past David Schwimmer in the bar after I’d worked at the Q&A for his new film, and I couldn’t help thinking: this is pretty cool! After BAFTA I want to work in film programming as I love the idea of seeing people coming to something you’ve helped create and organise. Plus, nothing beats the buzz of going to the cinema or a film festival and watching a really good film. I think this internship has helped me hugely as there is so much that goes into the organisation of an event that I never would’ve even thought about before. Aspiring interns: be willing to be flexible, take unpaid work, and give it 100%. But also make sure that you are truly learning and enjoying the experience. ‘Intern’ doesn’t translate as ‘coffee maker’: they are there to help you as much as you are there to help them. |
Lisa Rasch | I always used to check bafta.org to try and get involved in events such as the Rocliffe New Writing Forum. One day I saw there was an internship up for grabs - I almost didn't apply as I thought I wouldn't have a chance: luckily, I did! Each day is different as the Production Intern. If we have shoots to organise I’ll be making call sheets and booking equipment; if we’re shooting that day I’ll be travelling to the location with the Production Manager, helping unload equipment and making sure the crew is catered for. If there’s a big event coming up we might do a recce with the director and technical crew. It’s always fun to hear people’s ideas being banded around! On other days I’ll be catching up on admin doing music cue sheets and POs. The highlight so far has to be the Film Awards. It was great to see everyone dressed up. Even though I was working pretty hard, being there when the winners came off stage to be interviewed was a great feeling. Getting to go to the afterparty was pretty cool too… After BAFTA I hope to work in the film industry or in television dramas. I’ve met a lot of successful people whilst here and it has given me the confidence to pursue my dream of working in film – and it’s definitely given me skills I’ll use in the future. My advice for anyone looking for an internship would be to be yourself: personality is the most important thing to bring to work every day. |
John Maloney | Before this, I'd been using the filmmaking resources on bafta.org. Lectures by David Lynch, Q&As with Quentin Tarantino. I set up an update alert on the jobs page, and applied without thinking I'd even get an interview... As Communications Intern I spend most of my time managing BAFTA's web presence with the Web Editor. It requires both a future-facing technical aptitude and a good old-fashioned editorial sensibility: I do a lot of website updating and video processing, but also a lot of editing and original copywriting. I also interact with the online world via our social media platforms, and talk self-reflexively on staff info pages. My highlight so far is the Video Game Awards. I worked with the communications team in the press room, frantically tweeting winner announcements and monitoring the webcast stream. I was almost oblivious to the fact that Sir Ben Kingsley was hovering a couple of feet away. After BAFTA I hope to work in new media journalism or content creation, using emerging technology creatively and imaginatively. Reading that sentence has made me realise how much I'm subconsciously influenced by The Social Network. Tips for aspiring interns: an application is an opportunity to show what you can do, not just describe what you can do. Think hard. Try and make your name stand out - there are so many ways to reach potential employers these days. |
David Mayes | I applied for the intership inspired by a general love of film and an interest in all parts of the production process, but specifically screenwriting and directing - I’d seen a lot of the Life in Pictures/Rocliffe/Serious Screenwriting stuff on the site which drew my interest. As the Learning and Events Intern my job involves working in the office putting together guestlists; managing events on the website and newsletters; working at events, screenings and talks; liaising with talent; making clip reels... The highlight so far has been working at the Martin Scorsese Life in Pictures event and watching one of the greatest living directors talk for two hours about films. After BAFTA I hope to stumble over a suitcase full of money so I never have to work again. Internships are about gaining knowledge so don’t be put off if your CV isn't crammed with impressive nuggets. Try and present your skills in a way that makes you appealing to your potential employer. Do your research as well: go on the website, run a Google news search. It doesn’t take much time and it stops you looking stupid. |
Apply
All BAFTA internships are paid and intern positions are advertised on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Related Content
From the Board of Trustees and Council to the Sector Committees and permanent members of staff, these are the people...
The Academy is a membership-led organisation with an administrative team running day-to-day activities and implementing...
The latest job vacancies at BAFTA, including internships and freelance positions.
