The film industry is an exciting place to start your career. Whether you have a passion for filmmaking, editing, costume design or sound, there’s a place for you. It can be hard work but with passion, determination and hard work, you can get there. We’re here to help advise in any way we can, so here is what you need to know about Film Industry Careers!
How To Get Involved In The Film Industry
The film industry can be notoriously hard to break into. No matter what area of film you’re interested in, here are our top tips for getting involved:
- Do your research! Watch as many films as possible, especially those made by companies that you would particularly like to work with.
- Practice! Work on your own projects, no matter how simple.
- Meet other filmmakers / people with similar aspirations. We’ll list some great resources for this later on.
- Learn your trade! Read books, watch tutorials, practice and find as many tips as possible to be at the top of your game.
- Qualifications! Considering getting qualifications such as a University degree or online course. These can help a lot with your transition into the film industry.
- Find jobs within the film industry. This could be as a runner, caterer or even a set painter! A foot in the door is a foot in the door, and allows you to make contacts and get involved.
Film Industry Careers: Qualifications
If you want to work in film, you may need some qualifications or a degree. There are tons of great colleges or online courses that can help you in your quest to work in film!
If you want something online, check out this list of top 10 accredited online college programs for film! For those looking for college degrees, here are some great Bachelor programs in Film Studies.
What Are Entry Level Film Jobs?
Entry level film jobs are simply jobs within the film industry that require little to no experience. There are entry level film jobs out there waiting for you if you know where to look! Firstly, let’s take a look at some examples of entry level film jobs and what they entail.
Runner
A runner (or ‘Production Assistant’) is the lowest ranking role on a film set. This means that you will be expected to do the grunt work, ranging from collecting lunch to driving actors or cleaning up. The great thing about being a runner is that you don’t need any experience. You will also gain tons of insight into how film production works and maybe even make helpful contacts and gain trust of future collaborators!
Intern
Film internships are usually based around admin or office work. This means that you won’t be working on set, but these roles can also help to further your career. Some internships are paid, some cover travel expenses and some aren’t paid at all. These can look great on your CV, especially if you are accepted for an internship by a well-known company.
Trainee
Trainees work in more specific areas of film, such as costume trainee or a sound trainee. If you already know which area of film you want to work in, then starting as a trainee is a great idea. Bear in mind that work in this area is a little harder to find and you may need some previous experience or qualifications.
Where To Find Entry Level Film Jobs
Some top places to search are LinkedIn, Indeed, WayUp, Production Hub, Media Match and tons more. Amy Clarke Films Blog has also compiled this helpful list of film jobs, from free to paid, plus tips and resources. Don’t forget to join Facebook groups and scour social media (or post and ask) for any job openings.
Helpful Film Career Resources
There are so many helpful resources online for aspiring filmmakers. Check out our picks below, which include jobs, career advice, training, helpful tips, articles and more:
- ScreenSkills
- Into Film
- Film Sourcing
- Shutterstock
- Film Education
- Velvet Jobs
- Entertainment Careers
- Meet Up
Also, take a look at our list of Top Sites For Indie Filmmakers!