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I want to work in the film industry because I love movies, and I think they can be used as a powerful tool to tell stories.

Movies have been a part of my life since I was a kid. My parents would let me stay up late on Friday nights so that I could watch movies like Star Wars or The Goonies with them. They would even let me stay up late on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons like Scooby Doo or Batman.

I have always been fascinated by how much work goes into making films, and how many different people you need working together to make it happen. It’s not just one person who gets credit for making a movie; there are hundreds of people who all contribute something important in order for it to work out well.

I really want to be able to make films myself someday, but first I want to learn more about how other people do it so that when I do start making my own films, they’ll be better than anyone else’s!

Opportunity In Film Industry

An Associate Producer position can often be an entry level one. Often referred to as the ‘AP’, an Associate Producer generally assists the producer in project management duties. These may include organizing scripts, running the teleprompter in news casts, or helping the editor by making beat calls.

Completing a program in film or media studies can be advantageous to those who seek to produce films, but there are other ways to get in the door. For starters, aspiring producers can pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Master of Fine Arts degrees in film and media studies, filmmaking and other related fields.

Screenwriter

As a screenwriter you’ll bring stories to life in scripts for films. You’ll need to be able to use your imagination to create and write stories, or you may be asked to take an existing work, such as a novel or comic book, and adapt it for the big screen. You’ll need determination, motivation and the ability to meet strict deadlines. If you’re a confident writer and you have a passion for film, TV and digital media, you may thrive in this role.

Some screenwriters have degrees or postgraduate qualifications in creative writing, English or journalism. You may have an advantage if you have writing and storytelling experience from another field such as advertising copywriting or acting.

Cinematographer

Cinematographers, sometimes referred to as directors of photography (DoP’s), are skilled operating cameras and lighting equipment. They interpret the visions of directors by choosing the appropriate film stock, lighting, framing and lenses for filming a scene. Cinematographers also often find themselves transporting equipment, storing prepared footage and overseeing the work of other camera operators.

Aspiring cinematographers might seek internships on major film or television sets, or they might get their foot in the door by filming instructional videos or commercials. An undergraduate or graduate degree in cinematography, combined with a strong portfolio, could also lead to a career in this field.

Are you Oscar material? For more tips and advice to help you land the role of a lifetime, visit career-advice.monster.ca.

Career opportunities in film
This is a notoriously competitive industry to get into – as many film jobs aren’t advertised in the traditional sense, qualifications aren’t as important as experience and film graduate schemes aren’t readily available either.

Instead, you’ll need to be proactive in contacting film companies and studios through speculative applications to enquire about any vacancies. Even then, you’ll find that structured entry-level programmes such as film production internships are scarce.

Graduates may be able to secure a week or two of film work experience as a runner, but you’ll need to grasp the opportunity by impressing the film crew with your skills and by turning your hand to anything asked of you in order to land a contract for the next shoot.

If you didn’t go to film school or study the subject at university, you can develop your filmmaking skills by working on student or local productions. There are plenty of resources online to learn about screenwriting, or you could join likeminded individuals in making a short film through relevant social media groups.

Despite the fact that careers in film can be incredibly rewarding, they typically come with a low level of job security as you’ll usually be hired on a film-by-film basis. Wages, working hours and locations vary, depending on the size of the production you’re working on and the level of funding behind it.

Also, the majority of filmmaking jobs are filled by freelance workers, so it’s up to you to show dedication to the craft and make a name for yourself.

Read about the various film industry jobs and explore those best suited to your talents and aspirations.

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Film director
The most popular of all filmmaker jobs and crucial to the completion of any film, directors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the creative process and bringing them together.

This involves managing budgets, holding meetings with all departments at the planning, execution and post-production stages of filming, and concisely and effectively communicating your vision for the film.

You’ll need strong communication skills, a fair but firm approach to giving orders, excellent time management and the ability to problem solve under pressure.

While a degree in film production will provide you with a deeper understanding of what’s involved in making a film, practical experience will help you build a network of contacts in the industry and allow you to develop your filmmaking skills.

Learn more about becoming a film director.

How To Get A Job In The Film Industry With No Experience

It’s award season, which means celebrating the achievements of everyone that works in film, from the directors and producers to the cinematographers and actors. If you’re the type of person who watches award shows like the Oscars and thinks, “Hey, I could do that!” – well, you probably can. Here are a few jobs, aside from acting, which you can expect to find when looking to land a role in the film industry.

Production Planner /Scheduler

Production planners, also known as production schedulers, managers, controllers or coordinators, are involved in the logistics of supply chain management. Most of their time is spent on the business and organizational aspects of producing and distributing films. They are in charge of project management, and organizing paperwork, like purchase orders and delivery schedules. Their tasks include keeping records and information, and coordinating purchases with clients and co-workers.

The path to this job could include a major in business with a focus on supply chain management or logistics. College coursework may include topics in purchasing management, transportation, operations management, international logistics and inventory management.

Assistant Make-up Supervisor

An assistant make-up artist is in charge of making sure the makeup artist has everything she or he needs. In this position, the makeup artist is your first priority, not the client. It’s not about the photographer, the model, or the singer. The assistant position equates to an apprenticeship: you are there to learn and be an extra pair of hands for the makeup artist (like a nurse to a surgeon). Be discrete, be attentive and be helpful.

A successful makeup artist career begins with a passion for all sorts of makeup. Knowledge of makeup application tools and techniques is an essential skill, and while many makeup artists already have the passion and many of the skills they need, most of them likely bolster their knowledge with a cosmetology degree.

Talent Agent Assistant

Every day is usually different when it comes to being a talent agent’s assistant. One day you might be reading scripts or listening to demos; the next, picking up dry-cleaning. Other duties that come with the territory include being asked to accompany an actress to a press junket, visit the set to prep for an artist’s session, and extensive travel.

A college degree is usually a ‘must’ when working as an assistant talent agent. A degree in entertainment business, production, public relations or communications are applicable to this career path, but almost any degree will do if you’re a fit with the agency’s culture.

Film Editor

It’s the editor’s job to help the director make sense of the thousands of hours of footage shot on location. Scenes are almost always shot out of sequence, so the story has to be edited to fit the director’s idea of how the movie should flow. An editor deals with the tough decisions, starting with deciding which of the scene’s multiple takes and camera angles to use, and what ultimately gets scrapped? The editor weaves the pieces together to complete a rough cut (which is basically the film’s first draft edit) then continues until the final cut is determined.

A Bachelor’s degree at minimum is required for someone wishing to pursue this as a career – master’s degree programs are also available.

Music Composer

One of the final steps in production is the scoring of the film. The composer receives a rough cut and writes original music that fits the plot, each scene’s mood and the director’s intentions. John Williams’ score for the Star Wars saga is a prime example of a music composer adding an important dimension to film production.

There isn’t typically one specific degree or academic requirement to become a composer, except if you’re looking for a teaching position. However, as with musicians and singers, music composers require vast amounts of training and practice to learn and hone their craft.

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Director of photography
Otherwise known as cinematographers, the director of photography will work with the film director to realise scenes in line with their visions. They manage the camera and lighting crews on a film set, make artistic and technical decisions and review footage in the post-production stage.

You’ll need an in-depth knowledge of camera and lighting equipment and what will and won’t work for certain shoots, an excellent eye for detail, the ability to make reasoned decisions quickly, and be prepared to both give and take direction. You’ll oversee film crews, but if the director has specific intentions, you may have very little control over how a scene is shot.

To progress to this advanced position, you’ll likely start in a junior role – for example, as a runner or camera assistant, where you’ll gain the experience needed to direct others.

Film producer
You’ll oversee the creative process of a film from conception to completion, working closely with the director to make artistic and technical decisions about shooting, budgets and post-production.

A strong head for figures, excellent leadership skills and the ability to make reasoned decisions under pressure to ensure the smooth running of production are what’s needed.

Progressing to this senior role as a film producer will require genuine passion and creativity, carrying out work experience and networking at any opportunity. You may have to start in a junior role, such as a runner or programme researcher, to get your foot in the door.

Take a look at what else is involved with being a film producer.

Film editor
Working with raw footage in post-production to compile an end result that’s suitable for release, a film editor will often work closely with the director to ensure their work is in line with the director’s intentions for the film.

It’s no simple task – crucial, ‘invisible’ aspects of film, such as comedic timing, pacing and suspense, are what often elevate a production from good to outstanding quality and are the result of sharp, seamless editing. This may involve changing up the order of scenes or removing some completely.

Successful editors pay close attention to detail, bring creative flair and a passion for film to the role, and have the patience and self-motivation to experiment with editing.

To become a film editor, you’ll need to build a wealth of experience working in TV and on smaller productions before progressing to editing feature-length films. You might enter the industry as a runner, trainee or second assistant, moving up the ranks to first assistant before becoming an editor in your own right.

Learn more about the role of a film editor.

Jobs In The Film Industry That Pay Well

In any film, good lighting is crucial to creating the right atmosphere. This is what a lighting technician brings to the production process through technical knowledge, a good level of physical fitness for lifting heavy lighting equipment as well as creative flair.

Many lighting technicians working in the film industry are already qualified electricians, while some may also have a specialist degree in a relevant subject such as lighting technology or design.

Whichever route you choose, pre-entry experience into this role is essential – whether that’s through finding a job as a technician, helping on student film projects while you’re studying or securing work experience with a professional.

Find out about a lighting technician’s salary, working hours and more.

Runner
If you’re wondering how to get into the film industry, you’ll find that while the runner is the most junior position in any film production department, it’s often the entry point into this career.

It’s a runner’s job to carry out administrative tasks and aid the smooth running of film production. Your work will involve setting up locations for a shoot, hiring props and transporting equipment, among other tasks required by the director, actors and other members of the film crew.

As this is a varied and time-demanding role, you’ll need to be resilient, enthusiastic and work diligently.

Many runners are hired by being in the right place at the right time or through their contacts rather than their qualifications and can remain in the position for a year or longer before progressing onto researcher roles.

See what else you need to know about being a runner in the film industry.

Location manager
A location manager is responsible for researching, identifying and organising access to sites for film shoots. It’s a demanding role, where you’ll need to manage both cast and crew to ensure your stints on location are completed within the time and budget constraints.

Location managers are organised, good problem solvers and work well under high levels of pressure.

While you won’t need a degree in a particular subject, those related to media or production will give you an advantage. You may also look into completing a course accredited by the industry’s skills body, ScreenSkills.

Discover what you’ll need to do to become a location manager.

Sound technician
It’s the job of a sound technician to operate the equipment needed to record, mix and enhance the audio of a film. In this role you could either be working on set, liaising with producers to meet their sound requirements and monitoring the recording process, or in post-production where you’ll integrate audio with visual content and create and alter sound effects.

Many film productions require a team of sound technicians in order to run smoothly, so you’ll have to be an excellent communicator and good team player. You’ll also need patience to work with the meticulous attention to detail and timings the role requires.

You don’t need a degree to become a sound technician in film. However, as you’ll need an in-depth understanding of the technicalities, equipment and practices the role encompasses, studying for a relevant HND or degree would be to your advantage.

Discover the full range of responsibilities a sound technicians has.

Programme researcher
As a programme researcher on a film, you’ll provide support to the producers, director and writers by carrying out factual and picture research to ensure what’s being shown in the film is accurate.

As well as using the internet, film archives and museum collections to carry out your research, you’ll be responsible for gaining copyright clearance for the use of music and literary material in the production.

This area of work is open to all graduates, although having a degree in a relevant subject will be an advantage. You may be required to have specialist knowledge depending on the genre of the film.

Learn more about becoming a programme researcher.

Hair and make-up artists
Providing a crucial visual aspect to any film, hair stylists and make-up artists ensure the actors in a film appear authentic to the time period the film is set, its geographical location and age of the character they’re playing.

This role requires a keen eye for detail as well as a broad and deep understanding of the hair and makeup industry and its history.

You’ll need to be technically qualified to at least Level 2 standard in media make-up and Level 2 or 3 in hairdressing. You’ll also benefit from gaining work experience wherever you can, even if this is in a salon or theatre rather than a film set.

Find out what else is required to be a hair stylist or make-up artist.

Other film roles
Animator
Concept artist
Production designer
Sound designer
Sound engineer
Special effects technician
VFX artist
Writer

I want to work in the film industry because I love movies, and I’d love to be a part of them. I’m interested in all aspects of film production, from writing and directing to acting, producing, and editing.

I’ve always loved movies, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized how much of an impact they can have on people’s lives. The first movie that really made me think this way was “The Lion King.” As a young child, I watched it over and over again because it made me feel so happy. But then when I got older and rewatched it as an adult—I realized that it wasn’t just entertainment for me anymore; it was something more than that. It was art—it was a way for someone else to express themselves through something beautiful and meaningful.

From then on, whenever I watch any movie or TV show or play or musical concert or dance performance or anything like that—I see it as an opportunity for someone else to share their story with me in a way they never could before because they didn’t have access to these kinds of tools before now! So now when someone asks me why I want to work in the film industry—I have an answer!