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Video production internship vs freelance producer

The differences between video production interns and freelance producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a video production internship, becoming a freelance producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a freelance producer has an average salary of $62,218, which is higher than the $33,585 average annual salary of a video production internship.

The top three skills for a video production internship include video production, video content and youtube. The most important skills for a freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.

Video production internship vs freelance producer overview

Video Production InternshipFreelance Producer
Yearly salary$33,585$62,218
Hourly rate$16.15$29.91
Growth rate10%8%
Number of jobs105,0419,703
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4240
Years of experience212

What does a video production internship do?

A video production intern is responsible for supporting the digital content production team in creating engaging video content for the target audience of the business or according to a client's specifications and requirements. Video production interns familiarize themselves with the use of various software tools and applications, shadowing tenured video producers on actual applications and media publications. They assist in publishing video content on digital platforms, responding to the viewers' inquiries and concerns. A video production intern must have excellent organizational and creative skills, especially when recommending content that would attract the audience and bring more potential clients.

What does a freelance producer do?

The responsibilities of a freelance producer are so broad that they can be tricky to define. Broadly, a freelance producer is responsible for finding, launching, and completing a project. They primarily handle logistics pertaining to the creation of various pieces of content. This content may include television shows, advertisements, or audio/video presentations. They also manage finances, keep the production within the allocated budget, and hire all key staff, crew members, and post-production teams. They may also have to scout for shoot locations.

Video production internship vs freelance producer salary

Video production interns and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Video Production InternshipFreelance Producer
Average salary$33,585$62,218
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $33,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between video production internship and freelance producer education

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

Video Production InternshipFreelance Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Video production internship vs freelance producer demographics

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

Video Production InternshipFreelance Producer
Average age4240
Gender ratioMale, 64.4% Female, 35.6%Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%14%

Differences between video production internship and freelance producer duties and responsibilities

Video production internship example responsibilities.

  • Architect & manage MWV's Cisco video and telepresence environment.
  • Manage the scheduling of VTC for SES management and flag officers.
  • Videotaped children, manage, edit and assemble video clips into a library.
  • Manage HD camerawork and calculating wireless mic levels.
  • Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
  • Assist in filming and editing b-roll footage.
  • Show more

Freelance producer example responsibilities.

  • Drive engagement by managing the brand's YouTube channel, as well as all other social media outlets.
  • Manage production shoots for image campaigns and monthly communications meetings for CNN newsroom and internal in-house creative services department.
  • Manage creative release process working closely with site merchandising, content engineering, release engineering, QA, buyers and marketing.
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Produce for Chubb s website, YouTube, Facebook and on DVD.
  • Help maintain social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Video production internship vs freelance producer skills

Common video production internship skills
  • Video Production, 25%
  • Video Content, 9%
  • YouTube, 4%
  • Motion Graphics, 4%
  • Video Intern, 4%
  • Video Shoots, 3%
Common freelance producer skills
  • Music Videos, 20%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • Video Content, 5%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Live Events, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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