PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Film Industry Training Program (FITP) provides graduate trainees with the opportunity to intern on non-union and union productions shooting in Connecticut.   Certified FITP graduates who have successfully completed the summer intensive program may apply for internships to work alongside producers, production managers, production office coordinators, department heads and crew members on projects shooting within the state.

The purpose of the FITP Internship Program is to provide advanced learning opportunities through practical experience and to help strengthen the skill set of Connecticut’s industry workforce. Internships depend entirely upon the cooperation of participating productions and may take place throughout the year.

Eligible projects include independent or studio features, episodic television, commercials, corporate videos, digital media, gaming, visual effects, digital animation, Web development, post-production sound and other work specifically relative to the film and digital media industry. 

Intern salaries are subsidized by the state and there is no financial commitment required from producers. Interns are paid $100 per day and may receive up to a total of five (5) weeks salary. Interns are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance and non-union fringes paid independently by a recognized industry payroll company.  If accepted for an FITP internship, it is not permissible for interns to negotiate supplemental salaries or to request increases in pay beyond the daily rate paid by the program during the internship.  However, when the internship is completed, interns are free to continue working for the sponsor as a regular employee at whatever rate they can negotiate.

Certified graduates may apply for internships regardless of the year of their summer FITP program attendance. Whenever possible, notification of new projects will be posted on the announcements and events page of this website, but graduate trainees are encouraged to research and find their own internship opportunities.  Sponsors make all hiring decisions, not FITP staff.

Funds for the 2010 FITP internship program are now fully expended and no internship applications will be accepted until further notice. If and when the program is renewed, FITP graduates who wish to apply for internships must give notification by email at info@ctfilmworkforce.com.  Please include complete contact information for the proposed internship sponsor (address, telephone, email), and identify an authorized contact person.  A letter of commitment from the internship sponsor must also be submitted, on company stationery (PDF), via email at info@ctfilmworkforce.com describing the nature of the work involved, the daily responsibilities of the intern and the duration of the proposed internship.

Internship sponsors will be contacted as soon as letters are received.  Both the intern and sponsor will receive official notification if the internship is approved. Once an internship is in progress, intern activity may be monitored by occasional FITP staff visits to the worksite.

All FITP internships must be approved PRIOR to commencing work on a project.   Trainees are cautioned not to begin work until all internship payroll paperwork is in place.  The application process must be completed before, not after, the fact.  Please do not make assumptions and ask questions if you are unsure about the process. There are NO "retroactive' internship payments.  

Many graduate trainees have knowledge of professional equipment and can function effectively as technical crew on a non-union project.  However, on union shoots, an agreement is required between the producer and the FITP that interns will perform no union tasks and may not be asked to replace existing union crew.

Please note that there will not always be ongoing FITP Internship opportunities. Because shooting schedules vary greatly, there is never a "guarantee" of an internship.  As always, determination, persistence and professionalism are key elements in getting any kind of production work.  When internships do become available, the process can be highly competitive among graduate trainees.

If you are a certified FITP graduate seeking an internship, please address an email to info@ctfillmworkforce.com, following the detailed instructions above.

Please note: Persons who are not graduates of the FITP are ineligible to apply for internships.