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A Jessica Turner: intern at the filmcompany Future Films

Over the past few years I've been doing volunteerwork in Calcutta, Bogotá and Teheran, so it's quitehald to adjust to being back in the UK. Most of myfriends are buying houses and have cars and go onholidays. But I neverfeel l've missed out becausel'm doing what I've always wanted to do. lworkfiree days a week, receiüng a srnall su¡n to ooyerexpenses. Moneyfrom myfather has gone towardsfunding my placement and I'm really fortunate thatI can live with my mum, although it does mean mycommute can take up to two hours. Without myfamily I don't think I could be doing this. Next monthlam starting a six+nonth placement in Myanmar,monitoring the health facilities the charity suppliesthere. After that, I rnight actually be in a position toeam a salary- lf lwas 35 and stillworking unpaid,lwould think What am ldoing?'

D Paula filorison: inbrn at theWhitechapel Gallery

I came to London six months ago with no plans.I didn't know how long it would take to get a job.I had saved up some money and resigned myself tostaying on a friend's sofa for a while, but luck was onmy side and lfound a job as a seamstress within amuple of weeks. My placement at the gallery cttmealong a week later. lVe helped instail exhibitions andcreate gallery publicaüons. One of the most excitingtasks was helping the artist Claire Barclay createthe installaüon thafs now on display ¡n thl gallery.Because some of the piece is sewn, my seamsúessskills came in handy. The hardest thing is at thestart, when you don't know anything. Someone asks:'Can you courier this?'and you have to ask so manyquestions, like'Which courier mmpany?, and Whereare the envelopes?'l'm about to finish my placementand l'm planning my own curatorial project with afriend. Itwlllbe a lot of work but lthink t have to goforthese things now, othenrise lwill regret it later. Myparents know I'm sensible. lf I couldn,t afford my rent,I wouldn't just get into a spiral of debt. I would go andget a full-time job and the rest would have to wait.

Working on soipts that you know are going tobecome films one day is really exciting. We get abroad varies of genres sent to us here- personalty,I love anything that's been adapted fuom a book,especially if I've rcad the book. I read scripts,someümes I attend meetings with wribrs, and I'vealm researched potentialwriters and directors online.Also, lvolunteer in my localtheatre and help out asan auditorium assistiant. lt's a great way of seeingdifferentaspectsof the indusfi meeting peopleand developing yourcareer. My plaementwasdue to come to an end this month but I've just beenoffered the paid role of production and developmentassistant. I'm pleased to be able to stay - I didn'twSntto leave everyone. lt's been tough getting tothis point, but you can.t expect too much becauseit's a competitive indusúy. Because my degree wasin film theory I didn't come away with the practicalexperience of being able to go on set and knowwhat's what. Maybe lwould have progrcssed morequickly if I had.

B Rasa Abramaviciute: intern at theViviqnne Westwood fashion company

I work in the sarne departnent as Vrvienne'Westwood, so I see her almost every day. Shetreats everyorle equally, whetherthey are paid stafior intems. My main task is kacing pattems. I wasshocked by how big they are; so much f;abric goesinto making a Westwood dress. When lstarted, Irryas working on the archive, so I had the opportunityto ee past rcllections up close. I work five days aweek, 10a.m. to 6p.m., but t expecf the days to getlonger and more stressful as we approach FashionWeek. I wilt stay for anotherthree months, untilwego to Paris forthat, and then I will go shaight back to,university to complete my ñnal year. ln fashion, if youwant to establish yourself over the oompetition. youhave to work hard and forfree, because that's whateveryone else is willing to do.

c Hannah §anderson: intern at theemergency relief char!=tl¡ f,lerlin

TEST 4, PAPER 1: READTNG