Film Careers

In college, film majors may study topics like the contemporary film industry, directing cameras, and screenwriting. In this guide, you can learn about numerous film careers, such as production assistant and script supervisor. This piece also covers the skills you can expect to learn in college, common salaries for different professions, and jobs you can attain with an advanced degree.

Why Pursue a Career in Film?

People who plan for a career in film come from multiple backgrounds and have different interests and skills. However, most individuals enter the field as a way to express their creativity and passion for cinema. If you have both of these traits, you may be well-suited for a career in film.

No matter the career path you select, if you want to succeed in this field you should possess ample patience, flexibility, and humility. Also, film professionals learn as much on the job as in the classroom. As a result, you must know how to adapt quickly after receiving criticism and feedback.

Film Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that film and video editors earn median annual wages of $62,650. Professionals who live in California, New York, and New Jersey earn the highest salaries. Metropolitan areas with the most job opportunities include Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta.

Like with many professions, film careers pay based on expertise and experience. The following table breaks down the median annual salaries for four popular jobs for a film major and shows how wages tend to increase as a worker gains experience. You can use the embedded links to learn more about each position.

Skills Gained With a Film Degree

Film industry careers offer a lot of variety, but they usually focus on visual storytelling. Degree-granting programs, certifications, and individual classes and workshops help students build specialized skill sets. For example, actors take courses in rhetoric and improvisation, while directors study cinematography, production design, and leadership. Editors may take courses and seek certification related to relevant software. Often, students pick up several specialties to keep their professional options open. Some of the necessary skills for a film career include those mentioned below.

Creativity

Actors interpret every line of a script to bring their characters to life, while producers and directors translate words on the page into a visual experience. Editors and camera operators must also understand how each snippet of their work affects the project as a whole. Pursuing a career in film requires ample creativity.

Leadership

Directors manage actors, staff, and crew during filming and postproduction; they must be able to offer a vision for the work and accept input from others. Producers work with directors and investors, overseeing production schedules and managing creative teams, which requires strong leadership skills.

Speaking

Actors must be able to speak clearly while remaining in character. They also need to be direct communicators. This allows them to translate words on the page into an experience the audience can understand.

Communication

Directors, producers, and editors work with large teams during production. As such, they must communicate well to prevent delays, adhere to budgets, and ensure that everyone understands the creative vision of the project.

Computer Skills

Computer skills are essential for editors and other postproduction staff who work with advanced software to cut films into their final forms, fix errors, and create special effects. Familiarity with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash are also important.

Film Career Paths

Obtaining a film degree means gaining foundational knowledge while also concentrating on a specific subject to prepare for your target career. Since different film roles require varied skill sets, many film degrees allow students to specialize in a particular area of interest. Available concentration paths vary by school and program, but common offerings include editing, sound, television, cinematography, screenwriting, analysis, directing, and postproduction. The following section details a few popular film career paths.

Screenwriting

Aspiring screenwriters learn to create and develop scripts for motion picture and television productions. Courses cover genres like comedy, documentary, and animation, as well as collaborative writing, film history, and literature.

Cinematography

To succeed as a cinematographer, students must learn a variety of technical skills. Courses cover lighting, production, color correction, camera operation, and the history and science of cinematography.

Sound

Students specializing in sound can expect to study theoretical and practical approaches to sound production in film. Course topics include mixing, recording, and automatic dialogue, all of which familiarize students with standard software programs. Sound courses also explore sound-related film theory through the analytical study of existing films.

Postproduction

Students who want to work in postproduction learn about editing, color correction, and visual effects. Courses in this area take a practical approach, preparing students to use relevant software and understand digital workflows. Participants also study film literature through a postproduction lens.

How to Start Your Career in Film

Creating a quality film or television show requires hundreds of people, including videographers, production designers, and location managers. Each person has a different skill set. In a film program, you can discover potential jobs and career paths that best align with your talents, interests, and goals.

Although some film careers do not require a degree, most professions require applicants to possess specific skills. You can hone these skills in associate, bachelor's, and master's programs.

Associate Degree in Film

With an associate degree, graduates can become broadcast technicians, sound engineering technicians, or equipment technicians. An associate degree provides the practical experience employers seek by familiarizing students with equipment, computers, camera operation, video editing software, and other production tools.

Associate degree graduates can also take more theory-based courses like cinematography, which help them develop a deeper understanding of the field and prepare for bachelor's-level studies.

What Can You Do With an Associate in Film?

Source: BLS

Bachelor's Degree in Film

Students who earn a bachelor's degree in film prepare for a variety of careers, including director, editor, multimedia artist, animator, technician, and writer. The top colleges that offer film degrees use a combination of theory and practice to teach students how to analyze and understand film history while also developing the practical knowledge and skills necessary to produce their own work.

The table below covers a few film career options that can be pursued by bachelor's degree-holders.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Film?

Sources: BLS and PayScale<

Master's Degree in Film

Earning a master's degree in film may make the road to an executive career in film easier. Students in the top film master's degree programs can often choose a concentration, like screenwriting or directing, preparing them for leadership roles in the industry. In these programs, students gain advanced skills related to film aesthetics, storyboarding, and film theory. They also develop practical knowledge concerning production techniques and business strategies.

Although students may qualify for some of the positions described below with only a bachelor's degree, earning a master's can help set them apart from the competition.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Film?

Sources: BLS and PayScale

Doctorate Degree in Film

In some cases, students may wish to earn a doctoral degree in film, particularly if they are interested in film analysis. Tenure-track professorships in colleges and universities almost always require a doctorate, so those hoping to teach film or publish scholarly research should pursue a doctoral degree.

Like many artists, film professionals are lifelong learners and sometimes choose to add intensive study to their experience. This may mean pursuing a doctoral degree in a specialty area, such as drama or digital media.

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Film?

Sources: BLS and PayScale

How to Advance Your Career in Film

If your career in film involves technical or artistic skills, start creating a professional portfolio right away. A strong portfolio can help you stand out on the job market. You can host your work on a personal website that also includes your resume and contact information.

In addition to a portfolio, you can advance your film career by earning a certificate or continuing your education at a college or university. Educational credentials can enhance your resume significantly; you can learn more about these options below.

Certifications and/or Licensure

Most professionals in this field advance within their careers based solely on experience and expertise. However, if you start a film production company, you may need a state business license or a permit to operate. Additionally, workers like multimedia artists and editors can earn certificates related to certain software programs to demonstrate their proficiency.

Continuing Education

In addition to gaining experience, enrolling in a continuing education program can help you make your film career goals a reality. These shorter academic tracks cover topics like acting, cinematography, and producing. Many take less than a year to complete.

Many reputable organizations also offer online courses covering subjects like filmmaking and animation. Learners can complete these courses without having to pause their career, allowing them to apply new knowledge and skills on the job as soon as possible.

Next Steps

As you gain skills from work experience, certificate programs, and online courses, do not forget that the simple act of networking can have a significant impact on your career trajectory. Build friendly and professional relationships with supervisors and peers. Making a positive impression and forming friendships can help you gain additional work in the future.

Another way to advance your career includes joining one or more professional organizations. Organizations, such as The American Society of Cinematographers, offer members professional development opportunities, networking events, and outreach programs. They may also present awards to members who make a significant contribution to the field.

Where Can You Work as a Film Professional?

Industries

Since career options for film majors are diverse, graduates can find opportunities across many industries. Directors, editors, camera operators, and actors can find work in feature films, independent productions, television broadcasting, advertising, and public relations. The section below offers more detail about these options.

Motion Picture and Video Industries

Motion picture and video industries produce feature-length films and documentaries. Individuals can find work at large corporations and smaller, more independent production companies. A film graduate may work on location as a director or videographer, in a postproduction studio as multimedia artist or editor, or in an administrative office as a producer or assistant.

Radio and Television Broadcasting

The radio and television broadcasting industry produces radio and television programming, including news, sports, and scripted entertainment. Work can take place in a studio, in an office environment, and/or on location, depending on the scope of the project. These professionals can also work in digital media, like podcasting.

Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing

The advertising, public relations, and marketing industry makes consumers aware of products and services. Film school graduates in this industry usually work full time in an office environment, collaborating with a team of other creators.

Music

The music industry produces albums, concerts, and music videos for public consumption. A film school graduate working in the music industry might conceptualize, produce, and/or film music videos or capture live performances.

Freelance and Independent Artists

Freelance and independent artists may be employed on a project-by-project basis or act as consultants. They usually have experience across several of the above industries. Freelance artists may keep hectic hours during the course of a project with lulls in between productions while they secure their next job.

Source: BLS

Interview With a Professional in Film

Dan Mirvish, Director, screenwriter, producer, and author

Dan Mirvish is a director, screenwriter, producer, and author. His award-winning feature "Bernard and Huey" (scripted by Oscar/Pulitzer winner Jules Feiffer and starring Oscar winner Jim Rash and David Koechner) played over 30 film festivals on five continents and is available on Amazon Prime. His film "Between Us" (starring David Harbour, Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, and Melissa George) was distributed in 144 countries and played on Netflix, Showtime, and Starz.

Dan was mentored by Robert Altman on his first film, "Omaha (The Movie)," which led to him cofounding the upstart Slamdance Film Festival that runs concurrently with Sundance. Dan's film "Open House" led the Academy Awards to controversially rewrite their rules on the Best Original Musical category. Mirvish wrote the nonfiction book "The Cheerful Subversive's Guide to Independent Filmmaking" and cowrote the novel "I Am Martin Eisenstadt." Dan is a member of the Directors Guild of America.

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What are your favorite parts of working in the film industry? What are its greatest challenges?

I really enjoy collaborating with and meeting new people on each project I work on. Film is truly a collaborative art medium, and it takes hundreds (or thousands) of people to make a single feature film. Forging and managing those relationships is fun for me, and being able to come together to create unique moments in our movies is very satisfying creatively.

On the other hand, I also love those quiet moments working alone -- either in screenwriting or editing -- where I don't have to worry about the time or resource demands of anyone else and can just let my own creativity stretch. Some of the biggest challenges also come from working with hundreds of people and having to manage all those relationships. You have to raise money from one set of people and use it to pay another set of people and somehow make a movie in between.

You have worked as a director, screenwriter, and producer -- is this ability to experiment with different roles common in the film industry?

Yes, definitely. Particularly in the realm of independent film where I work, you're never "just" a director. You've got to be equally adept at screenwriting as you are with producing. You might only spend 16 days on a film set actually directing actors and crew members, but you may have spent five years getting to that point in screenwriting, raising money, and casting, and then spend another five years after in postproduction, film festivals, and distribution. If you're not adept at wearing all those hats, you'll never be able to make the film in the first place or get it seen in the second place.

Beyond my own experience, fluidity in roles is becoming increasingly more common throughout the film industry. Cinematographers are expected to know how to edit and do color correction. Editors need to be able to write and shoot. Writers need to be able to become producers. While specialization is still useful for many areas of filmmaking, it's best to hedge your bets by learning at least a little about every facet of the filmmaking process.

Besides Hollywood, what are other U.S. and international hubs for those working in film?

In the U.S., you can get work in filmmaking in virtually every state. So many states are offering tax incentives for producers that Hollywood productions are shooting in all sorts of places. Specifically, new hubs for production include Atlanta (affectionately called Y'allywood), Austin, New Mexico, Louisiana, and, of course, New York.

Internationally, almost every country around the globe has its own culture and industry of filmmaking. There are the traditional hubs of Mumbai, London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney, and Hong Kong, where many international and local productions have created sustained film industries. But there are also thriving local filmmaking communities everywhere from Singapore and Manila to Cape Town and Copenhagen. Even small countries like Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Iceland have both cultivated their own local filmmakers and offered great locations for Hollywood productions.

How do you think the film industry is changing and will continue to change in the future?

Distinct media labels like "TV" and "film" are getting blended together into "streaming content" every day. The length, format, and exhibition models for all this filmed stuff are constantly changing. People are shooting on everything from iPhones to IMAX and then watching things in movie theaters to gas station pumps. This fluidity is going to continue for years.

The trick is to not get too hung up, pretentious, or precious about what it is you do or want to do. The basic tools and structures of storytelling go back to the ancient Greeks. Learn to come up with great ideas, original characters, and interesting stories, and you'll be able to find a way to share them with an audience. Part of it is accepting that what you know now or learned about in film school -- about a particular camera, editing system, distribution model, or exhibition medium -- is going to change, and probably sooner than you think.

When choosing film programs and/or schools, what qualities should students look for?

If you've already got a solid background in film production from either high school or undergrad programs, or through real-world experience, then you might not need to go to film school. The danger is that you'll get pigeon-holed in that first area of filmmaking you get a job in. What film school -- either grad or undergrad -- can do that's much harder to get in the real world is teach you the full breadth of filmmaking, from history/theory to preproduction (screenwriting and producing) to production (cinematography and directing) to post (editing, sound, VFX, festivals, marketing).

So, look for programs or schools that encourage this broad scope of filmmaking but also give you a chance for specialization so that you come out of school with a specific, marketable skill set. Film school is also a great way to meet fellow cohorts that will wind up being collaborators for years to come.

But don't go to film school just to "make connections" (trust me; I spent three years at USC and don't regret it, but I barely met anyone who later helped my career). You can go to film festivals for a lot less money -- or join Facebook groups for even less -- and make just as good connections there.

That said, it might behoove you to go to a film school in a region of the country or world that already has a lively film scene, both for filmmaking and film watching. Find out if the film school regularly brings in successful filmmakers as guest lecturers, has an active internship program, or works closely with the local film festival. Talk to recent alumni of the programs you're considering. Ask them what they think, but take it all with a grain of salt -- most recent grads have some complaints about their own film school.

I'm also a believer in people learning about non-film things, either majoring in another subject and/or working in another field and then going to grad film school, or at least going to an undergrad film school that's part of a larger liberal arts university. Hollywood will respect you more if you can make films about something and not just know about making films -- but on a practical level, it's also going to be useful as a filmmaker to take a broad range of classes, from business, accounting, and law to theater, fine arts, history, and comparative literature.

The other advantage to going to a broader university program is you're more likely to meet a future spouse in a non-film field who might actually support you, or at least other friends who will back your crowd-funding campaign in five years when you need it.

All that said, no one is ever going to ask to see your film school degree (unless you ever become an academic), which means that if you're just looking to pick up a particular expertise that you're missing (e.g., screenwriting, cinematography, editing), there are much cheaper individual classes or workshops you can take at places like UCLA Extension or community college that will also allow you to keep working at a day job and just take classes at night.

Resources for Film Majors

As you explore different film careers, do not forget about the many resources that can help you succeed. This section highlights professional organizations, open courses, and publications related to the film industry. Use the embedded links to visit each resource's website, where you can locate additional information.

Professional Organizations

Film students and professionals have access to several professional organizations and guilds across the nation, which provide scholarships, continuing education opportunities, competitions, and networking conferences. These groups tend to be organized based on regional location or job title. Several guilds provide union benefits to workers in the film industry, such as contract negotiation services, legal aid, and health insurance discounts.

Producers Guild of America: This nonprofit professional organization has a membership of over 5,000 production workers. Members gain access to many professional benefits, including discounted health insurance rates, job postings, dental coverage eligibility, free trade seminars, and free screening admission in select cities. The PGA has authored several members-only resources, including a sustainable energy production guide, the Film USA Incentives Guide, and the Power of Diversity Producing workshop.

SAG-AFTRA: SAG-AFTRA was formed by the combination of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. This organization covers over 165,000 media professionals who work in journalism and entertainment. SAG-AFTRA set industry contract standards and advocates for advancements in wages and working conditions. Members gain access to benefits such as health insurance eligibility, pension credits, professional training, film discounts, and SAG award voting opportunities.

American Film Institute: This nonprofit organization gives members exclusive access to film screenings, AFI awards votes, and cultural education opportunities. The AFI Conservatory for Filmmakers offers a variety of film courses related to cinematography, production, directing, editing, and screenwriting. AFI also hosts national workshops and showcases to highlight important modern filmmakers and their work.

Directors Guild of America: This professional guild has a membership of over 15,000 film, TV, and radio directors. DGA represents members in contract negotiations, copyright protection, and during legislative efforts. This organization was instrumental in advocating the passage of Section 181, bringing tax relief to film and TV production workers on a federal level.

Motion Picture Association: MPA advocates for filmmakers' intellectual property rights and freedom of expression. The association founded the Classification and Rating Administration system, which assigns ratings to film releases. This allows parents to make better decisions about the films their children watch. MPA also releases industry reports and state-by-state statistics, helping film professionals gain insight into current industry trends.

Open Courseware

There are many open courseware options for amateur and advanced film enthusiasts. You can choose from options like film study and theory courses that cover practical production techniques and technology courses.

Film Studies - Stanford University: This course can be taken for free on iTunes University. Students go over topics such as prolific filmmakers' lives and the impacts of sexuality and politics in film. Course materials are presented in video and audio formats.

Film as Visual and Literary Mythmaking - MIT: Delve into the philosophical aspects of filmmaking in this open course presented by MIT professor Irving Singer. Singer is also the author of the textbook used in this class -- Reality Transformed: Film as Meaning and Technique. Students gain access to video lectures, assignments, and supplemental texts.

Open Access Film Journals

Film studies journals tend to lean toward the scholarly analysis of historical and contemporary media. The following journals explore several types of film work, including digital 3D animation, traditional cartoons, and Hollywood feature films.

Animation Studies: This is the official, peer-reviewed journal for the Society of Animation Studies, which publishes conference papers by SAS members. Students and professionals can explore topics such as animated music video production, industry trends, 3D kinetic animation, and film theory in the Animation Studies archives.

Images: This journal is dedicated to the analysis of vintage and classic films, with an "In Focus" column dedicated to the 30 greatest Westerns of all time. Previous issues include features on film noir, an analysis of Tarzan comics and their influence on film, and biographical writings on Tex Avery.

Film-Philosophy Journal: This publication is open to a broad variety of submissions. The journal is released twice a year, and the editorial board is composed of faculty members from colleges throughout the UK, with representation from the University of London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Edinburgh. You can view previous issues online.

Bright Lights Film Journal: This publication was first launched in 1974 by founding editor Gary Morris. It has since grown into a web-only journal that features short articles, reviews, interviews, and academic pieces about films and industry professionals. Bright Lights does not shy away from any genre of film, and particularly welcomes written pieces about minority representation.

Film Books

The following books are considered to be industry "must-reads" for film professionals and students. These include introductory books that can be used by undergraduates to acquaint themselves with the expansive history of film worldwide, as well as tutorials for aspiring filmmakers covering topics such as symbolism, screenwriting, and distribution.

Film Art: An Introduction: This compendium of historical film highlights contains over 1,000 full-color stills. Authors David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson analyze a multitude of mainstream cinema examples, teaching new film students industry fundamentals by providing clear-cut examples from film.

The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script: Author David Trottier walks aspiring and seasoned screenwriters through the process of writing, formatting, revising, and selling a screenplay successfully. This is an important text for film students who want to get a closer look at how stories can be brought from paper to the screen.

How to Read a Film: The World of Movies, Media, Multimedia: First published in 1977, this book remains a relevant guide for students entering film studies. Author James Monaco covers many topics, including cameras, soundtrack production, film syntax, history, politics, popular criticism, and digital media.

Film History: An Introduction: Also written by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, this book describes the history of film in the United States. Students get a comprehensive look at the politics, legislation, and technological developments that have led to today's cinema and television entertainment industries.

Online Film Industry Magazines

Digital magazines lend themselves well to film studies, allowing authors to supplement their articles with a variety of video, photographic, and audio materials. The following magazines present occasional tabloid-style news on Hollywood happenings, as well as in-depth business analyses of the film industry.

Entertainment Weekly: This publication is available online and as a print periodical. While the target audience for EW is a consumer audience, film professionals can still use it to keep tabs on upcoming productions, talent, and mainstream releases. Articles cover a broad variety of popular entertainment, such as TV shows, books, films, and fashion.

American Cinematographer: This periodical is dedicated to professionals in the film industry and covers current and upcoming releases, tools of the trade, and interviews with distinguished industry members. The publication is released in both print and digital formats.

Backstage: This online publication covers developing actors, entertainment news, and upcoming auditions. It can be a helpful resource for filmmakers who need to network with local acting talent.

The Hollywood Reporter: While this periodical has more of a tabloid feel, it can still provide film professionals with information about current developments in film culture, film festivals, and screenings. Articles may also cover the business angles of filmmaking, exploring movie budgets, franchise buyouts, and other economic events that shape the industry landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some degrees in film?

Degrees in film relate to the many different professions involved in bringing a director's vision to life. Typical degree options include digital film, screenwriting, and acting. Some programs may offer an interdisciplinary curriculum where you can learn about and master more than one filmmaking topic.

Is a film degree worth it?

Depending on your personal goals and what you want to achieve in the film industry, a film degree can be a good investment. However, succeeding as an actor, producer, or director requires a significant amount of work, and many professionals need to take on second jobs to support themselves.

What kind of jobs are there in the film industry?

The film industry oversees hundreds of different careers for a film major, the majority of which are carried out behind the scenes. Professionals can find work as screenwriters, editors, producers, actors, sound technicians, and many other roles.

Is filmmaking a good career?

Many filmmakers take great pride in what they do and work tirelessly to create the best film or television show possible. However, many professionals struggle to find steady employment, which can put a strain on their personal life and finances.

How do I get a job in film?

Besides having the knowledge, skills, and experience that employers want, attaining a job in film often requires developing an extensive network with other professionals. Joining a professional organization is a good place to start when building your network.

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