What originally inspired you to intern in NZ with World Internships?
Betsy: I had planned to come to New Zealand for a couple of years after visiting previously and knowing it was where I wanted to live on a more permanent basis. I thought an internship was an obvious choice for me as I wanted to get experience in film and television and know that it is a very difficult industry to get started in.
I did a lot of research into various companies and spent a lot of time hypothesizing over which would be best for me. Eventually when I had narrowed it down to four or five I began communicating with them directly.
The internship with World Internships seemed to tick all the boxes on my wish-list as it was in post-production, based in Wellington, was pre-defined but with the option to tailor it to my needs and it included accommodation and a local coordinator in case any problems arose.
World Internships e-mailed me regularly and seemed genuinely interested in what it was I was looking for. When I had queries they rang me in order to be able to communicate more effectively with me. Out of all the companies I had communicated with World Internships were the friendliest and easiest to deal with. I felt comfortable putting my future in their hands and was very happy with all the information they provided me with.
Describe your day to day activities as an intern in New Zealand.
Betsy: As an intern, my day-to-day activities were varied and never dull. The first couple of weeks were a little slow, as I was getting to know the ropes and absorbing a lot of information, but I was soon given more work and responsibilities.
I had a handful of roles depending on what was going on at the facility that day and would sometimes be helping out my colleagues by transcribing interviews, syncing audio or digitizing media. I also worked with my own clients, organizing media, making short videos and doing a variety of assistant editor roles.
A normal day at the office would start with a cup of tea (I am English after-all!) and a chat with the others about what was on the slate for the day. I would then either get on with my own projects or do the tasks assigned to me for the day. On most days we would all go to lunch together, and more often than not I was treated to the meal.
Then back to the office to work away in the afternoon. It is difficult to explain the general atmosphere of the place but it is one of the warmest, most friendly, and therefore fun and easy to work in environments I have ever come across. It was the perfect balance of being relaxed and efficient, all at once.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Betsy: This experience has impacted more than I ever could have imagined. I did hope it would give me a foot in the door, but I did not anticipate how quickly I would find myself to be a part of the industry I so desired to be in. Professionally speaking it has given me so many tools and so much information in such a short space of time, that I don't think I could have attained in any other way. It was the perfect environment for learning in as everyone was so patient, talented and happy to teach me.
The variety of work that came through the doors meant I was always challenged and always learning something new, from cutting music videos for a reality television series, to color grading a documentary on a theater director, to making a trailer for a feature length sci-fi film. I think it is safe to say I was never bored!
Personally I have seen myself grow whilst partaking in the internship. Though I had visited New Zealand before I had spent most of my time with other travelers and not locals. This internship gave me the opportunity to work amongst New Zealanders and gave me a whole new appreciation for the country. And the work challenged me in a way that ignited a passion I never knew I had, and made me come to realize that I could happily do this for the rest of my life.
My internship has pretty much set a path for my life that is more than I could have hoped for. From my home life (I know live with three other editors, who I met as a result of my internship), to my professional life (where I have made some fantastic contacts and garnered so much experience), to my social life (which it is safe to say my internship colleagues were more than happy to expand in the form of inviting me to many social occasions.)
Also it has to be said, if I haven't already made it clear, that New Zealand is a wonderful country, and Wellington a fantastic city. And now my internship has ended I find myself living in my favorite place on earth, doing a job I absolutely love and enjoying my life thoroughly, and a lot of the credit for my current circumstance has to go to the fact that I partook in an internship program.