Film & Television

Description

As they say in the film and television industry: "Content is King".  This is the industry that creates, markets and distributes all the movies and shows (i.e., content) that we love.  Whether you watch it in a movie theatre or at home, the same principles apply: the content must be very entertaining for people to watch it.  This includes both the story and the production quality.  It is also helpful if you have recognizable talent in your movie, although most indie movies cannot afford to.  When people consider "what they are going to watch", they often ask "who's in it" or "who made it?".  In reality, making the content, otherwise known as "production", is just a part of the industry.  Financing, distribution and marketing are the other huge parts of the industry.  There are many career paths to take. 

Something Cool

People love great movies and shows.  You could be a part of this.

Types of Companies

Think of the industry as a series of stages.  Some companies focus on all stages (Netflix).  Other companies focus on specific stages.

• The Story (aka the Script): Just as an architect designs a house, a writer creates the story.  There are a limited number of pure script writing companies.  Most writers tend to be independent contractors or work for production companies.

• Financing: A script will remain words on paper unless it is financed.  Executive Producers bring together money and/or connections to take the script to the production phase.  They can work at large (example: Univeral Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Sony Pictures), independent (example: A24) or tiny production companies.  These financing companies often handle the distribution and marketing as well.

• Production: This is where words are transformed into a three-dimensional world for the screen.  If the writer creates the story, then the director tells the story.  Other aspects of this stage include finding locations, assembling the crew, casting actors, camera work, sound, lighting, hair and makeup, wardrobe, the set, props....the list goes on!  See below for a more comprehensive list.  Do you like the excitement of many people working together in controlled chaos?  This could be the place for you.  Most production companies are created each time a movie or TV show is made.

• Post-Production: Once the shooting is done, the content goes through a process to refine the story and make it better.  This includes editing, sound, special effects and color.  Technical skills are needed for each of these functions.  Most of these people work as independent contractors on each job.

• Distribution and Marketing:  Distribution creates access to the content.  Marketing creates awareness.  Content will never get to the viewers like me and you without distribution and marketing.  There are teams of people focused on selling and acquiring content, legal (negotiating contracts), finance, accounting and marketing.  These are many of the same roles that exist at most companies.  Companies in charge of this function are often the same as those that finance the film.  Netflix, Amazon and Apple have made big moves into this stage in the last 10 years.

Further Education & Credentials Required

• None required, but multiple options are available.  There are certain technical skills that may be needed, but these do not necessarily need to be learned in school or certification environment.  Spending $200,000 on film school will not guarantee you a better path to get your film made.  YouTube is a good resource to learn the technical skills for most roles.  Unfortunately, breaking into the industry is also based on who you know.  See my post on Networking for strategies on this.

Entry Level Roles

Note that the descriptions listed after each title in parentheses refer to the categories described in my post on Roles.

There are three main paths one can take in the industry: (a) work on a set in the production stage, (b) work on the technical post-production stage, or (c) work on the "business" side of the industry.  

• Production Assistant (Project Management / Service): This is where most people start if they want to be on the production side (i.e., the set where the content is filmed.)  To call it a "project management" role is generous.  In reality, you will be doing all the lowest grunt work like getting people coffee and lunch.  You, like all the other people on the set, will be an independent contractor with no guarantee of your next job.  Your goal will be to get exposure to transition to the aspect of production that you are interested in over time.  See below for a list of the many functions in production.

• Post-Production: This is an area where technical skills can be better leveraged, so you may be able to do actual work that helps you build skills and experience for the role you actually want.  Entry level roles in post-production:

  • Assistant Editor (Heads Down / Art): This is where all the filmed content is edited to make a cohesive and compelling story.

  • Assistant Sound Editor (Heads Down / Art or Engineer): There is a significant amount of sound editing that takes place to improve what is captured at the production stage such as ADR (re-recording dialogue), sound effects, and music.  Most of this is fairly technical.

  • Special effects (Heads Down / Art or Engineer): This is becoming more and more prevalent.  If you enjoy computer programming and design, this could be a great route to take.    See Entry Level Roles / Art in the Video Games section for types of roles.

• Business: Starting in the business side will be much more straight-forward and secure, allowing you to understand the industry from the inside out.

  • Financial Analyst (Heads Down / Analytical):  Just as in other industries, you will be spending time in spreadsheets to forecast the financial performance of a project.  This is excellent knowledge to have, especially when you compare the forecast of what was expected to happen to what actually happened.

  • Production Accountant (Heads Down / Analytical): See Departments 101 > Accounting for an overview of an accounting department.

  • Assistant or Associate, Legal (Heads Down / Reading):  The industry is filled with contracts that are negotiated by the legal department.  Contracts between content creators and film studios, between independent contractors and production companies, the list goes on and on.  You will need a law or paralegal degree to go down this path.

  • Assistant or Associate, Licensing (Business Development): This is within the acquisitions, content or programming department which is in charge of licensing new content from production companies.

  • Assistant or Associate, Sales (Sales): This is the other side of licensing.  Production companies have team members focused on selling their content to film studios.

  • Assistant or Associate, Social Media (Sales): This is all about marketing and promotions.

  • Assistant or Associate, Agent (Project Management / Service): You will be supporting an agent who represents an actor or actress.  If working closely with actors and actresses is your passion, this is the direct path to take.

• The many functions in production: 

  • Writing a script

  • Directing

  • Acting

  • Stunts

  • Unit Production Manager or Line Producer: think of these roles as the operations manager making sure the film gets made on budget and on time...very challenging!

  • Camera work: director of photography, cinematographer, camera operator, 1st assistant (focus lenses), 2nd assistant (change batteries and memory cards).

  • Sound: microphone the actors and operate the booms (microphones on long poles).

  • Lighting: gaffer, best boy (electrician), lighting assistants.

  • Grips: setup dollies, cranes.

  • Hair and makeup, costumes, wardrobe.

  • Set: production designer, construction.

  • Props.

  • Catering

How To Learn More

• Watch and read the credits at the end of a movie or show.  This will list all the people that were involved.  This is often listed on IMDb.

• Check out indie film community or their YouTube page for lost of educational material on film making.  

• Talk to someone doing the role you want.  Check out my writings on The Gift of Asking for Help, Mentors and Networking 101 on The Search page to learn how to do this.

• Better understand your own skills and where you will be successful at Roles.

• Check out my writings on various industries and departments at the Industries page.

• Already know what you want to do but are looking for guidance on how to find a job within that industry?  Check out The Search for advice.