Oh kind MN ladies, please help this poor student :)

[LollipopViolet]

Hello!

I'm a long time lurker, sometimes poster (no kids yet but tend to get advice in SN and Student boards) Anyway, as part of my university course, I've got to sort some work experience over the summer. I've got a meeting on Wednesday to sort one placement out.

I do a Media Production degree, and I'm also visually impaired. Does anyone know how work experience post 16 works (just done first year of uni). Our uni says we should be paid for it because we are technically working for the company, but is that true, or is it just expenses if they feel like it sort of thing?

Anyone who works in the TV/Film industries who can help, I would appreciate it.

The meeting is to discuss working on a pilot, for a weekend. So is there anything I need to ask? And how do I bring my sight up (it stops me driving).

Aaaargh this is all so new and confusing!

[LollipopViolet]

Hooray! Sorted out now, got 2 days shooting over this weekend, this will be unpaid BUT only due to small initial budget. IF things go well, there could be paid work for all involved, as it would turn into an ongoing project, and we've all been promised some paid experience on other projects anyway.

I think we may be getting some expenses, because what the guy said at the meeting was that he didn't want us spending our own money (though I think it might just be referring to the one driver of the group but either way, I'm happy!)

Can't wait! And they didn't descriminate, my sight is acknowledged and is now a non-issue until an issue arises, then we'll work round this issue!

[LollipopViolet]

No, I don't expect payment myself, but it's something one of the lecturers told me. I did some work with another lecturer, filming live ice hockey games, and that wasn't paid. I've not needed any adapted equipment on the course so hopefully, she be OK

[flowerybeanbag]

I don't know anything about the TV/film industry however I don't think it's really for your university to say that you should be paid, surely that's up to the company offering you a placement?

I wouldn't expect work experience to be paid, or not more than expenses anyway. If it's paid then it's a temp job imo. The other thing that occurs to me is that getting entry level jobs in TV/film is, I imagine, hugely competitive, so I would imagine they probably have queues of people desperate to do work experience for no wages to get their foot in the door, therefore no need to pay people.

That's all based on no direct knowledge of the industry though.

[TotalChaos]

I wouldn't always expect a relatively short term placement to be paid tbh.

In terms of what you need to ask - to get a rough idea of what hours they will want you to do, and the sort of work they might give you. And google the company to get a bit of info about it before the meeting.

In terms of sight - think about if there are other activities than driving that are likely to be affected and if you will need any equipment/adaptations?