my daughter needs a placement for work experience in theatre or telivision not sure how to go about it?

Question

my daughter works very hard at drama she enjoys this subject she has singing lessons and wants a chance to work for a week in july 2007 on work experience either in thearte or telivision she is 14 and the school has asked her to find a placement

Answer 1

I had to do this too at about 16. There are two ways. The first is get to know someone in the industry and go with the "it not what you know it's who you know" philosophy. The second is pure persistence.... Get your daughter (not you) to write letters or email every single company she could get to asking for the placement, she should show that she is highly motivated and articulate, then follow up this corrospondence with a phone call, leave messages but don't be too pushy, once or twice a week will do, make sure not to call at news time (TV) or just before a show (Theatre) or any time they're busy, this will annoy people. Before she writes the emails, I advise that you call and ask who is the person who deals with these kind of requests, try to get the mail directly to this person, otherwise it might never get there. She should, if possible call in with a letter of request and also ask to see the person who's name you will aquired for her, if not just leave it but write "by hand" on the letter, it looks good!
You have to remember that every drama and media student in the country are looking for this sort of placement, she has to be willing to work anywhere but show an interest in all areas when she does get in to get a good reference.

I wish her all the best of luck and tell her not to get disheartened by the constant refusals, she's up against 20 year olds looking for the same thing but persistance pays off and she WILL get in somewhere.

Answer 2

Call up the local theatres, television stations and radio stations; find out if they take work experience placements - most will - however most will also be heavily over-subscribed. Just persevere, have your daughter write a letter as to why she wants work experience with them, tailor the letter to each company individually - what are her aims, goals etc, and get her teachers and maybe someone else professional to write up a letter of recommendation.
When I was 16 I got some work experience at my local ITV station, I wrote a couple of letters, was put on a list and eventually ended up with a week working on the Trisha Show. You might also want to find about film production companies based near you, or theatre companies? You are starting well ahead of July which is good. I'm sure you'll find something for her.

Answer 3

Find the names of local small theatre groups. Big theatres are mostly all union, & hire only union workers. Call, and ask for the name of the "Production Manager", and ask for his/her extension #. Call and explain that you (your daughter) would like to volunteer to work on a show. Most shows need help with costumes, props, set changes, etc. & will welcome volunteer help. When the show is completed, ask the Production Manager for a letter of recommendation. Do this for several theatres, & you will start building a resume. If she is interested in the Directing aspect, she would still talk to the Production Manager, but ask if he could place her as a Director's Assistant. Some Directors don't like working with anyone, but some are very open to passing on their knowledge. If your daughter is more interested in working front of office, or being a producer, ask for the head of the Box Office, or the General Manager. Follow the same steps, only targeting that area of the theatre. The more areas she can volunteer in, the better. She will get a terrific understanding of all aspects of the theater & what it takes to put up a show...& why they call it "The Magic of Theater" !!! Soon she will be getting paid positions, be able to join the Union, if she chooses, & get work in those big "Union Houses" !!! I hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you have a local theatre im sure they'd be happy to take her on. Just get her to have a look in local theatres for a placement and write a little peice about why she wants a placement. If that fails if there are any local drama groups for younger children e.g 7-11 she could work with them for a little while.Or Even do a placement in another high school in younger groups... thats what i did for my work experience i taught children of 11 it was really helpfull

Answer 5

How about asking at nearby schools or even stage schools to she if she can get work experience with any of the drama teachers? It might sound a bit boring compared to some of the things she may want to do but it should be relatively easy to organise compared to getting experience with a theater or TV company

Answer 6

send out letters of interest to production managers in every theartre, radio station and TV station in areas near you

have your daughter join local theatre groups etc - you need to build up contacts

follow up with phone calls, try and arrange visits

when you feel exhausted try a bit harder - people get into these industries through sheer perservernace

good luck

Answer 7

Carol 101 : your daughter needs an Soap drama were she
can act an part as an chacter check with http://www.unversalstudios.com located in HollyWood,Calif
Employment agency http://www.hollywoodemploymentagency.com
good luck!

Answer 8

She should call the Community Theaters and Professional Theaters in the city where you live and tell them what she needs. If they don't have such a program, tell her to ask if they can refer her to a theater in your area.

Many theaters have an apprentice program.