The film industry has experienced many ups and downs over the years, but despite all the challenges, it is here to stay. The sector is nothing like it was before, as it has been evolving constantly, and technology has played a major role in this transformation, with new cameras, visual effects, and filming techniques facilitating filmmaking and turning it into a more immersive experience. The rise of
streaming services has been significant over the past decade as well, transforming consumers’ behavior and making media consumption a lot more convenient and seamless, while superhero movies have taken the industry by storm, attracting large fandom. These fandoms tend to be very supportive of their favorite movies, and they don’t miss any opportunity to show their love for them wherever they go. For instance, as they
learn more about Deadpool, fans of the popular franchise find out that there’s merchandise available and they invest their money in it without hesitation, contributing to the ROI of the industry.
Given the success of the film sector, it’s not surprising that numerous jobs are available for those interested in pursuing a career path in film. As with any other profession, there is a set of skills you’ll need to master for a film major job, ranging from research and communication skills to self-discipline and creativity. If you’re passionate and committed to the learning process, a job in the film industry can be incredibly rewarding. Below, you will find some of the career paths you can pursue after getting a film degree, so keep reading!
Film editor
The role of a film editor is to edit raw film footage, as the name itself suggests. This is done by using the original film project’s vision as guidance and adjusting dialogue, sound, graphics, and special effects. Often, film editors work alongside assistant editors when it comes to larger projects. Now, there aren’t necessarily any specific educational requirements to land this role; however, a bachelor’s degree in the film industry can be of great help.
However, experience is incredibly important, and you will likely be required a portfolio of work if you decide to apply for this job, which can comprise of work you did in the past, internships you have finished, and even apprenticeships where you may have collaborated with another editor. In order to be successful, a film editor needs to have different prerequisite skills, such as strong
attention to detail (this is because every movie detail matters and spotting even the slightest misplacement is essential), advanced communication skills, as well as the ability to meet deadlines in time.
Film producer
As a film producer, your primary duty will be to oversee a film production. This means you’ll have to choose scripts, hire and manage the cast of the film as well as the crew, secure funds, assign responsibilities, and coordinate all the different film production parts, like writing and directing. Although this role comes with many responsibilities, it can also be extremely fulfilling and fun.
Besides, if you make it big as a film producer, there’s a good chance you will be invited to creative events and film festivals worldwide, which translates into an opportunity to travel to other countries. While on average, a film producer makes around €37,370 per year, you can receive a lot more once you gain enough experience and add a few well-made films to your portfolio as a director.
Cinematographer
As a cinematographer, you must take responsibility for the film’s visual appearance and think of all the details that go into creating visually striking movies. Some of the most important responsibilities as a cinematographer include collaboration with the director to realize the film's vision, gathering the necessary equipment, like cameras and lights, leading camera operators and lighting riggers, setting up shots, and reviewing footage to check for any potential issues. To succeed in this job, certain skills are needed, such as creativity, communication, technical knowledge, and attention to detail. If you’re a creative person, becoming a cinematographer may be just the best role for you, allowing you to share your innovative film ideas with an audience.
However, it’s important to remember that the work in this field can also be unpredictable, as many cinematographers work on small projects that have a low budget. Furthermore, the most lucrative jobs in the field can be pretty competitive, and you need an extensive portfolio and personal connections to be able to get them.
Screenwriter
Are you a creative at heart who is just bursting with ideas? If the answer is yes, then it makes sense to pursue a career in screenwriting. While screenwriting can be tedious, it’s also incredibly fun, allowing you to come up with a film's dialogue, storyline, and characters and present your ideas to film executives. Writing a screenplay is a massive achievement, and will likely give you a huge sense of personal fulfillment – not to mention that this job also allows you to build unique skills that you can also apply in other areas of life. One of the best things about screenwriting is that it offers flexibility, allowing you to work anywhere you feel most creative, whether in a coffee shop, a quiet garden, or the comfort of your home.
Whether you prefer working in the morning or during the evenings, you aren’t confined to a 9-5 routine and have the chance to set your own schedule. However, one of the challenges is that you may have inconsistent income streams given the unpredictable nature of the sector, which can be stressful.
Financial security in screenwriting is often the result of building a steady track record in the industry, but until then, it’s imperative to manage finances wisely and have a secondary income stream that will help you during lean periods.
Film director
As a film director, your job is to lead a movie’s production, which will require you to make different decisions on how the screenplay will be represented through film. Among your responsibilities will be leading rehearsals, resolving set conflicts, reading and revising scripts, and advertising the movie, to name a few.
Suppose you have many media ideas; being a film director allows you to achieve them and also to express your opinions and emotions through the movies you make. If you enjoy variety in your workday, pursuing a job as a film director is perfect for you, as each day may bring a new task to complete, and there’s also a lot of variety to enjoy in the shows and movies you produce.
The bottom line
As you can see, there are many jobs you can pursue with a film degree, and it’s ultimately up to you which one you choose based on your unique needs and skills. Ultimately, no matter which type of job you pick, what matters the most is to enjoy it – after all, working in this industry isn’t just about the money, but also about the creative process!
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