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Production internship vs freelance production assistant

The differences between production interns and freelance production assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freelance production assistant has an average salary of $35,255, which is higher than the $33,066 average annual salary of a production internship.

The top three skills for a production internship include video production, production intern and production process. The most important skills for a freelance production assistant are network programming, music videos, and video production.

Production internship vs freelance production assistant overview

Production InternshipFreelance Production Assistant
Yearly salary$33,066$35,255
Hourly rate$15.90$16.95
Growth rate8%10%
Number of jobs98,43752,320
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a production internship do?

A production internship is a program for a college student who works as a support person and seeks experience in the film or television set. An intern will research topics using various sources such as the internet, assist production staff in developing relevant stories for the television, film, and social media and run errands for a particular project. Aside from running errands, an intern should possess essential computer software like Microsoft Office and excellent communication skills. An intern must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.

What does a freelance production assistant do?

A freelance production assistant performs support tasks for television and film production crews during production stages. Their responsibilities typically include disseminating materials to various crew members, gathering props, coordinating with caterers and other contractors, preparing and cleaning sets, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they may process documents, travel to various locations, and assist performers. Moreover, a freelance production assistant must maintain an active communication line with the entire production team to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

Production internship vs freelance production assistant salary

Production interns and freelance production assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production InternshipFreelance Production Assistant
Average salary$33,066$35,255
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $41,000Between $25,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyACLU of Illinois-
Best paying industryEnergy-

Differences between production internship and freelance production assistant education

There are a few differences between a production internship and a freelance production assistant in terms of educational background:

Production InternshipFreelance Production Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common college--

Production internship vs freelance production assistant demographics

Here are the differences between production interns' and freelance production assistants' demographics:

Production InternshipFreelance Production Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 49.9% Female, 50.1%Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between production internship and freelance production assistant duties and responsibilities

Production internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage all office aspects including general administrative duties and assisting with staff payroll.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for managers to present design concepts to clients.
  • Assist on sets with camera and lighting/task with creating new Instagram video series
  • Research, write, report and edit broadcast news content for local ABC affiliate.
  • Update and maintain SharePoint site using HTML to ensure timely content for end users.
  • Help customers with their groceries, bag and help them out to their car.
  • Show more

Freelance production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and refine the metadata system for a photography database -communicate with customers over e-mail with regards to advertisement proofs
  • Edit and render concerts for online publishing on YouTube and Vimeo.
  • Assist crew members with load-in/load-out between Brooklyn office and various NYC event locations.
  • Design, construct and install commercial sets for high end fashion retailers around NYC
  • Log b-roll, pitch stories and guests, and research stories using Lexis Nexis.
  • Assist video editors in creating highlight packages for MLB, NFL and WNBA games.
  • Show more

Production internship vs freelance production assistant skills

Common production internship skills
  • Video Production, 15%
  • Production Intern, 11%
  • Production Process, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Audio Board, 4%
  • Instagram, 4%
Common freelance production assistant skills
  • Network Programming, 18%
  • Music Videos, 14%
  • Video Production, 11%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 8%
  • Production Assistance, 5%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%

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