So You Want to Work in the Film Industry?

By Eric McLean

"And the Oscar goes to..."

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.

Associate Producer

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.