How I Broke Into the Entertainment Industry: From ESPN Intern to LA Production Assistant
Posted on: Jul 17, 2025
Photo Credit: iStock Photos // mediaphotosWith any career, you’re normally asked questions such as, “What do you do for work?” or “What’s the end goal?”
And in our line of work, people seem to get awestruck. They wonder if we went to school for our craft and how we got our foot in the door. So, allow me to share how I got my start in the industry.
Key Insights:
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Industry careers often begin with unexpected roles—like an ESPN internship in commercial operations during a turbulent layoff period.
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Early experiences can expose you to a wide range of departments beyond production, highlighting the value of versatility.
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Breaking into film and TV often requires working for free, building your network, and supplementing with other jobs to stay afloat.
Back in the summer of 2013, I had just finished my junior year of college at The University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) before starting my internship at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. My internship was in commercial operations, which to be honest, I hadn’t heard of until I applied. Like any intern, I was extremely hopeful, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. That lasted as soon as I got a tour of the office and was shown my desk by my coordinator.
To give a quick backstory, our first day was the same week as the massive, company-wide layoffs. Many employees were on edge, and even my internship coordinator was emotional because she and her husband (who also worked for ESPN) had friends who were escorted off the premises after being laid off unexpectedly. There was a mix of excitement and tension around the office, so my rose-colored glasses fell off rather quickly. Reality hit me in the face. It was at that moment that I realized that this is a business, and no matter how talented you may be, none of us are ever truly “safe.” It also taught me that not every business decision is based on performance.
On a brighter note, I got the chance to shadow some of my favorite shows (First Take, Sportscenter, Mike & Mike, just to name a few), in addition to having lunch with several people across the campus, such as talent directors, on-air talent and more. I even got to go to the New York offices and learn from the marketing department. I was exposed to much more than the production side, and got to learn that there are so many more departments and positions that keep a company the caliber of ESPN afloat. Not only have I been fortunate to work at the corporate level, I’ve worked with sports production with ESPN over the years for college sports, professional sports, bowl games and the like.
I didn’t get my true start on the TV/film side until moving to Los Angeles in 2017. This meant paying my dues in a different way, which was being a PA (production assistant) for free. I’ve worked on music videos, short films and indies for free (or for IMDb credit) in order to gain experience, build my resume and expand my network. That also meant doing these in addition to other “regular” jobs to supplement income. It’s paid off in some huge ways ever since, as I continue to grow in other roles, connect with people and connect them to others.
When you talk to people about their start in the entertainment industry, you’ll get a variety of answers, and notice that many of our stories sound nothing alike. Yet, some of these very people are your peers, and have (or have had) some of the same roles as you. It’s a testament that there is no one way, or right way, to meet your end goal. We don’t work in an industry with a linear path. There are plenty of skills that can cross-transfer, and so much knowledge that will come in handy for any direction you choose in the industry.
Final Takeaways:
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There’s no single path into entertainment—each journey is unique, nonlinear, and shaped by persistence and adaptability.
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Gaining experience in various departments can give you a stronger foundation and open unexpected doors.
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Skills from other industries and jobs can translate powerfully into film/TV work—every step helps build your toolkit.
Andrea Tucker is a writer/producer in sports and entertainment.
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