UCLA School of TFT Internships


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Information for Students

An internship is a great way to prepare for a career in the entertainment industry. This website provides you with information on how to identify and search for internships, how to enroll in an internship class, and where to look for additional information.

How to Enroll in an Internship Class for:
  • Undergraduate Students
  • Graduate Students

    • Why Intern?

    An internship is both an experience in itself and practice for the job search. It offers many valuable experiences:

    • Apply skills you learned in the classroom in a professional setting
    • Test career options to help clarify and refine career objectives and goals. Begin to develop competencies (skills and knowledge) specific to a career or environment
    • Develop skills necessary for any work environment, including communication, writing, interpersonal connections, teamwork, time management, and goal setting
    • Explore skills and interests you didn't know you had
      • Build skills necessary for a job search, including search strategies, resume writing and interviewing
    • Start to build a network of professional contacts

    Many TFT graduates often face an uncertain job market with few leads and no clear career path. An internship can help you make valuable contacts and distinguish among different job opportunities that can lead to thoughtful career decision making. Along the way, you'll pick up the skills necessary for any job search.

    Searching for Internships

    Searching for Internships The TFT Internship Program maintains a comprehensive database of internships in the entertainment industry. Each quarter we are contacted by studios, agencies and management companies, networks, and production companies who seek qualified UCLA applicants. Feel free to search the database.

    Please know that we make every effort to screen and admit only the most reputable companies. However, you are encouraged to further research these companies and use your own best judgment in pursuing the right opportunity. If you believe a company does not provide a professional and adequate work environment, please let us know: internships@tft.ucla.edu.

    Getting Help on Applications and Interviews

    If you like advice on finding the right internship, feel free to make an appointment with our internship coordinator: internships@tft.ucla.edu. Our offices are located at 203 East Melnitz Hall.

    The UCLA Career Center offers helpful resources and workshops on writing cover letters and resumes. The UCLA Career Center is located at:

    501 Westwood Plaza (at Strathmore)
    Floors Two and Three
    Los Angeles, CA 90095-1573
    Phone: (310) 206-9983.

    Enrolling in Internship Classes

    Undergraduate Students:

    In order to receive credit for an internship, undergraduates must enroll in TWO classes: FTV 194 and FTV 195. FTV 195 "Corporate Internship in Film & TV" offers academic credit for fieldwork while FTV 194 "Internship Seminar" is a weekly seminar that includes lectures and discussions of contemporary entertainment industry trends and issues and an analysis of assigned readings from a range of industry journals. Classes meet Tuesdays 5-7 PM in 2310C Macgowan. Attendance is required of all undergraduates in all ten sessions and you must commit at least 10 weeks to your internship. FTV 194 and 195 MUST be taken concurrently.

      Course requirements:
    • Students receiving a combined total of 4 units (2 units for 194 and 2 units for 195) are required to complete a minimum of 14 hours of fieldwork per week to total 140 hours by the end of the quarter. In addition, students must complete a weekly journal assignment.
    • Students receiving 8 units (2 for 194 and 6 for 195) are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork per week to total 200 hours by the end of the quarter. In addition to the journal assignment, you should conduct 3 interviews with individuals in your office (preferably your supervisor and/or producers and/or executives who can grant you the time needed to conduct a 15 minute interview).
      Enrollment:
    • You can enroll in FTV 194 directly through MyUCLA.
    • To enroll in FTV 195 you will need to complete a contract that is signed by the faculty advisor and the department chair. You find the contract function when you go to MyUCLA and choose "Contract Courses" in the left hand column. Follow the instructions. Print out the contract and leave it in the faculty advisor's mailbox for their signature in 102G East Melnitz. The faculty advisor will forward the contract to the department chair. Once both signatures are obtained the undergraduate counselor will enroll you in 195.
    • You will have to complete and hand in the signed Liability Waiver and Student Learning Agreement to the FTV 195 instructor on the first day of class.

    Graduate Students:

    Graduate students wishing to obtain academic credit for an internship have to enroll in FTV 498 "Professional Internship." Students are allowed to conduct independent research on their company and the marketplace at large under the supervision of the instructor. Attending the undergraduate seminar class FTV 194 is OPTIONAL (class meets Tuesdays 5-7 PM in 2310C Macgowan). You are expected to commit 10 weeks to your internship and turn in your final assignments on Friday of Week 10.

      Course Requirements:
    • Students receiving 4 units are required to complete a minimum of 14 hours of fieldwork per week to total 140 hours by the end of the quarter. In addition, students must complete a weekly journal assignment detailed below.
    • Students receiving 8 units are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork per week to total 200 hours by the end of the quarter. In addition to the journal assignment, you should conduct 3 interviews with individuals in your office (preferably your supervisor and/or producers and/or executives who can grant you the time needed to conduct a 15 minute interview).
    • Students receiving 12 units are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of fieldwork per week to total 400 hours by the end of the quarter. In addition to the journal assignment, you should conduct 3 interviews with individuals in your office (preferably your supervisor and/or producers and/or executives who can grant you the time needed to conduct a 15 minute interview).
      Enrollment:
    • To enroll, you need to complete Liability Waiver and Student Learning Agreement.
    • Hand in completed and signed Liability Waiver and Student Learning Agreement to TFT Internship Office (203 East Melnitz).
    • After receipt of your forms you will receive an email with your Permission To Enroll (PTE) number, which will allow you to enroll in FTV 498 on MyUCLA.