collaborative post // Getting a job in the film industry is not an easy thing to do. The film industry is one of the most sought-after industries in the world, and as a result, you will find fierce competition no matter what kind of job you’re looking to get. If you find yourself wanting to know more about how to get a job in the film industry, then you’ve arrived at the right article.
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
From making connections to learning key skills in Los Angeles Video Production, we’re going to take you through everything that you might need to know about how to get a job in the film industry. We’ve also included a short Frequently Asked Questions section to help answer anything else you might need to know about.
Getting Into The Film Industry
Getting a foot into the film industry can feel like an impossible task at first. Thankfully, there are some tried and tested ways that will get you ahead in your ideal career path. In the sections below, we’re going to outline some of the most important tips that you’ll need to know, to help you gather the relevant skills and experience you’ll need.
Consider Your Ideal Job Role
There are lots of different roles you can choose within the film industry. From cinematographer to director, from actor to set and makeup designer, the film industry features some of the most varied roles you’ll find. Consider what part of the process you are interested in, and what you are already accustomed to doing.
This will pave the way for the journey you’re about to embark on. Once you’re sure what your dream job role is, you can begin to gather relevant skills that will help you on your path to becoming a professional.
Gather Important Skills
The first thing you’re going to need to do is to gather relevant skills that will act as the foundation for any potential interviews, jobs, and important conversations you’ll have across your career. Although you will continue to gain skills in your relevant job role for the rest of your life, you’ll want to make sure you’re ahead at whatever it is you are looking to do within the film industry. You can quickly get relevant skills in a few different ways:
Attend Film School: Film school can be a fantastic way to learn the foundational skills you’ll need to get into the film industry. Provided you choose the right course, you will be able to meet lots of like-minded individuals, be taught by some awesome industry experts, and make social connections that can help get your foot in the door ahead of time.
Gain A Degree: A degree is a great way to get some skills also. Many different degrees will allow you to get the skills you need to enter the film industry. Make sure you choose carefully and properly research the educational establishment in question before committing to an undergraduate course.
Make Movies: In the modern age, it’s very easy to get ahold of the resources you need to start making films yourself. If you are young (especially if you’re in high school) this is the perfect time to start understanding what it takes to make a film.
You can do this off your own back. Simply gather some friends, and begin to develop your skills ahead of time. You can do this at an older age too, but make sure you are time efficient and teach yourself everything you can. The internet is an incredible resource for learning new skills.
Develop Your Resume
Developing your resume is an essential step to putting your best foot forward in the film industry. Make sure to create a legible resume that rivals that of other professionals. Take a look online and use any templates or example resumes for inspiration.
It’s really important to research the kind of information that others will highlight in relation to your relevant skill set. If you find yourself without experience, then you’ll need to go out and get some—even if it’s just as a volunteer!
Develop Your Portfolio
A portfolio can be thought of as the second half of your resume. Make sure you create a website and a selection of reels that will help show all of your skills. A portfolio is going to be one of the things that will allow you to turn heads and get jobs, even without an extensive history working within the industry. Make sure you spend time on this, as it will be the first thing that many people will see of your work, and of you as a person!
Networking
Next up, we need to explore how important it is to network. In many ways, the film industry is all about who you know. This, mixed with your competency, will be the two pillars that define whether or not you are picked up for jobs. You’ll notice that at the highest end of film production, many team members will work together on multiple projects.
This is because it’s important to know that your film crew has the relevant skills in order to create incredible works of art. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will create for yourself. This is a difficult process, but it’s very important to brush up on your social skills, and begin to forge some working friendships within the industry.
Don’t Give Up!
As we mentioned before, the film industry is one of the most competitive markets you can go into. You have to remember that with success often comes triple or quadruple the number of failures. The chances are that you will be turned down countless times before you can secure jobs that will help grow your career.
However, provided you are competent, positive, and tenacious, there’s a good chance that you will be able to get everything you want out of your chosen profession.
You’re going to need to dedicate your life to your craft, so make sure you do everything you can to put you ahead of the competition. We hope that this article has outlined some of the most important steps you’ll need to take in order to get a job in the film industry.
If you still have some questions, make sure to check below for our short Frequently Asked Questions section. We wish you the best of luck and hope that you get to work on some incredible films sometime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Benefit Of Working In The Film Industry?
One of the best things about working in the film industry is that you will be able to be creative and be paid for it! The creative aspects of the film industry make it a perfect job role for those who are natural creatives. This is the same in almost every aspect of the production process, from acting, to filming, all the way through to set, location, and costume design.
What Are Some Of The Main Roles Within The Film Industry?
There are many different roles within the film industry, all of which play key roles in making a story come to life. From the top down you have producers—who handle the industry parts of the film. Then you have directions, who oversee the entire production. Then there are cinematographers and camera operators, assistants, casting managers, costume designers, editors, and actors. All of these roles are important, and some are much more competitive than others—especially acting!
