You don’t have to be an actor to work in film...
... there are loads more jobs working behind the camera. Can you see yourself in any of the following careers?
Camera Operator
Camera operators work the cameras and
visual recording equipment for film
productions. They usually work as part of
a team alongside assistant operators and
video playback operators, under a
Director of Photography. Small
productions will have six to eight people
and the Director of Photography will
usually also work as the main camera
operator; less experienced camera
technicians may work as the grip (moves
the camera arm at the right speed) or
focus puller (adjusts the lens). On big
productions such as Hollywood movies,
the camera team can increase to as many
as 30 people.
Film Director
Directors take overall responsibility for
the look, sound and style of a production
and are involved through the entire
production process. In pre-production,
they plan and develop the story, work
out the logistics of a shoot within time
and budget, scout locations, cast and
rehearse. They may also be involved in
fundraising for the project.
During production, directors manage all
aspects of the shoot in order to bring to
life their creative vision. They make
creative decisions and may be responsible
for writing or re-writing parts of the script
as required. In post-production, they
oversee editing and sound design.
Screenwriter
A feature film screenwriter researches,
plans and drafts scripts before submitting
them to a producer. They also develop the
theme, plot and characterisation of the
film. If it is accepted, the screenwriter spends considerable time negotiating and
modifying their work to achieve a working
shooting script, and at the request of a
producer or director, may be asked to
rewrite it several times.
Screenwriters will either be approached
for a commission or write their own script
which they will need to sell to a producer
or filmmaker. There are few advertised
vacancies and most screenwriters need
make contacts and network with
broadcasters and filmmakers to get work.
Ways In
There are no formal entries into any of the above careers, however, you can find 100s of film/photography courses on Hotcourses.com
During these courses, students usually put together short films (or scripts in the case of screenwriters) to showcase their abilities to employers. However, nothing beats actual experience, and most students will get involved with film societies at university or college and try to get work experience with a production company.
Remember that film is an over-subscribed industry; life can be very competitive and it can take more than a decade to work you way up the ranks. Therefore, the right academic qualifications combined with a strong showcase of work, can go a long way.
Other Careers Behind the Camera:
Make-up, costume designer, set designer. Click HERE and find the lowdown on your chosen career.
Been There Done That
Xun Yu
3rd year
BA Film Production
Arts Institute at Bournemouth (AIB)
3rd year
BA Film Production
Arts Institute at Bournemouth (AIB)
Weblinks
Scottish Screen
www.scottishscreen.com
Directors’ Guild of Great Britain
www.dggb.co.uk
UK Film Council
www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
The Script Factory
www.scriptfactory.co.uk
The Screenwriters Workshop
www.lsw.org.uk
British Film Institute
www.bfi.org.uk
www.scottishscreen.com
Directors’ Guild of Great Britain
www.dggb.co.uk
UK Film Council
www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
The Script Factory
www.scriptfactory.co.uk
The Screenwriters Workshop
www.lsw.org.uk
British Film Institute
www.bfi.org.uk
Thinking about a career in movies...
... Director?
... Screenwriter?
... Actor?
Use our career search to find your perfect job