Today, most people don't just enter into the entertainment field without a college degree. Film producers, actors, directors, and technical personnel often complete a degree in film making or film studies before entering the film industry. Film-making occupations include writers, actors, directors, animators, costume designers, camera operators, multimedia artists and animators, gaffers, and sound engineers to cite a few.
To complement your studies at film school, you should also specialize in your trade by taking apprenticeships or internships to gain valuable experience. Many colleges, universities, photographic institutes, and trade schools offer film degree programs that can prepare you for work in this exciting field. Typically, newcomers to the industry take entry level support positions with broadcast firms, production companies, or small studios to gain experience.
How to Prepare for a Career in Film
Film-making professionals typically complete several years of film studies in accredited programs at the undergraduate level. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 361,900 wage and salary jobs in the film and video industry today. For pre- and post-production students, there are courses in the use of lighting, cameras, sound, and editing. Film schools also host workshops and professional courses for those in the industry who want to further their technical training.
Film Job Outlook and Wages
Wages vary dramatically with experience level, talent, and your specialization in the film business. Salaries may also be controlled by the various guilds for actors, directors, cinematographers, or technicians. In 2008, the BLS reported that film and televisions actors were paid a minimum of $2,713 per day according to guild requirements, while film directors and producers earned a median $85,940 annual wage. The BLS predicts a rise of 14 percent in wage and salary jobs in film between 2008 and 2018.