7 answers
Ariana
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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How do I get to work in the film industry?
I’m a senior in high school and I’m still unsure about what I want to major in. I love the idea of doing something creative. The film industry has always been very appealing to me, so I’m wondering the different fields that are part of it. I would definitely enjoy being behind the scenes, I am not looking to be an actress or anything along those lines. I’m not against working in some sort of production area, I find that working on the sets would be something that I would like. However, I have no experience on anything related to film, apart from research projects that I’ve done through high school (did my ap research on music in films). For the longest time I also considered working on marketing, and I haven’t forgotten about that but could working in marketing as part of the film industry be doable? When I apply to college I don’t really know what major to apply because I’m not sure what the things I am interested in are a part of. For the most part I’ve chosen media arts, and marketing majors.
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7 answers
Kelly Donnellan
Associate Professor
27
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
First, it’s completely normal not to know exactly what you want to major in right now. The fact that you’re thinking deeply about it and are drawn to something creative is a really good sign.
I teach Film, and I currently have a student who is majoring in Film Production and minoring in Digital Marketing. That combination works beautifully because the film industry absolutely needs strong marketing professionals. Studios, production companies, and streaming platforms rely on marketing teams to promote films and connect them with audiences, so yes, working in marketing within the film industry is completely doable.
Also, I want you to know something: before I went to film school (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away 😉), I had zero experience making films. I had only watched them. College is where you gain the hands-on experience.
If you’re excited by the idea of being behind the scenes or working on production, Media Arts or Film Production could give you that experience. If you’re drawn to strategy, branding, and audience engagement, Marketing is a strong and practical path, and you can absolutely combine the two.
You don’t need certainty right now. You need curiosity and the willingness to explore. That’s exactly where you’re supposed to be. 💛
I teach Film, and I currently have a student who is majoring in Film Production and minoring in Digital Marketing. That combination works beautifully because the film industry absolutely needs strong marketing professionals. Studios, production companies, and streaming platforms rely on marketing teams to promote films and connect them with audiences, so yes, working in marketing within the film industry is completely doable.
Also, I want you to know something: before I went to film school (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away 😉), I had zero experience making films. I had only watched them. College is where you gain the hands-on experience.
If you’re excited by the idea of being behind the scenes or working on production, Media Arts or Film Production could give you that experience. If you’re drawn to strategy, branding, and audience engagement, Marketing is a strong and practical path, and you can absolutely combine the two.
You don’t need certainty right now. You need curiosity and the willingness to explore. That’s exactly where you’re supposed to be. 💛
Sebrena Chen
Photographer
16
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sebrena’s Answer
It's completely normal to feel uncertain about your college major and career path, especially when you're interested in a creative industry like film. The film industry offers a wide range of roles that go far beyond acting. Since you've mentioned an interest in being behind the scenes and working on set, you might consider careers such as production assistant, camera operator, lighting or sound technician, set designer, or editor. Most people in film started with little or no experience and learned a lot by just jumping in and helping out on student projects, local shoots, or internships.
Marketing is definitely a real career path within the film industry, too. Every movie and TV show needs people to handle promotion like creating trailers and posters, running social media accounts, planning events, and connecting with audiences. If you enjoy creative work and communication, you could end up working for a studio, an agency, or even as part of a film festival team.
When choosing a college major, media arts, film production, communications, and marketing are all strong options. Many universities allow you to take courses across these fields, which can help you discover what you enjoy most. Gaining practical experience is just as important as your major. Look for opportunities to join film clubs, participate in student productions, or intern with local media organizations. Even small projects can help you build skills and start making industry connections.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. The most important thing is to be open to learning, take chances on new projects, and keep exploring what excites you. The film industry is built on people who are passionate and willing to try new things, so you’re already on the right track just by asking these questions and thinking about your future.
Marketing is definitely a real career path within the film industry, too. Every movie and TV show needs people to handle promotion like creating trailers and posters, running social media accounts, planning events, and connecting with audiences. If you enjoy creative work and communication, you could end up working for a studio, an agency, or even as part of a film festival team.
When choosing a college major, media arts, film production, communications, and marketing are all strong options. Many universities allow you to take courses across these fields, which can help you discover what you enjoy most. Gaining practical experience is just as important as your major. Look for opportunities to join film clubs, participate in student productions, or intern with local media organizations. Even small projects can help you build skills and start making industry connections.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. The most important thing is to be open to learning, take chances on new projects, and keep exploring what excites you. The film industry is built on people who are passionate and willing to try new things, so you’re already on the right track just by asking these questions and thinking about your future.
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
316
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Movies don't just start with high school experience, and the film industry is much more than acting or directing. If you like creative work and being behind the scenes, there are many roles to explore, such as production assistant, set coordination, editing, sound, or production management. Most people discover what they enjoy by trying different things, not before college.
Marketing is another great way into the film industry. It's a smart choice if you love creativity and want something flexible. Film studios and streaming companies need people for promotion, social media, audience research, and advertising, so a major in marketing or communications can lead you into entertainment. Majors like media arts, film studies, communications, marketing, or business can all work. Your major is less important than the experience you gain in school.
When you get to college, join film clubs, help with student productions, or volunteer at local film festivals if possible. Even small projects teach you how sets work and help you build connections. Film is a field where you learn by doing, so the goal right now is to start exploring and find out what parts of the process you truly enjoy.
Marketing is another great way into the film industry. It's a smart choice if you love creativity and want something flexible. Film studios and streaming companies need people for promotion, social media, audience research, and advertising, so a major in marketing or communications can lead you into entertainment. Majors like media arts, film studies, communications, marketing, or business can all work. Your major is less important than the experience you gain in school.
When you get to college, join film clubs, help with student productions, or volunteer at local film festivals if possible. Even small projects teach you how sets work and help you build connections. Film is a field where you learn by doing, so the goal right now is to start exploring and find out what parts of the process you truly enjoy.
Ivo Raza
filmmaker
10
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ivo’s Answer
Working in film comes in many forms or iterations. From wedding videos and YouTube content to working on major movie sets or TV shows. Same with the actual jobs, on set working in one of the departments such as art/props, camera, grip/electric, sound, costumes, hair and makeup, casting, etc. Or in the production office, handling paperwork, organizing gear and crew, locations, permits, transport, and so on. Or in postproduction (editor, sound designer, foley artist, colorist, graphics, and special effects). And finally marketing (PR, social media, festivals, distribution). The choices are there.
At your stage in life, you don't need to burden yourself with having all the final answers... It's a discovery process...to find what you really like, are interested in, and make a career out of. The best way to get started is to volunteer/intern with local production companies. Donate your time in exchange for experience. Then, once you have a bit of the latter, you will start getting PA jobs. And you can PA in various departments. This way, you'll learn which department interests you. And then you direct your path towards that.
And you can do all of this while you continue your education...most film work (unless you have a full-time job at a studio or production company) is freelance/project-based, so quite flexible.
At your stage in life, you don't need to burden yourself with having all the final answers... It's a discovery process...to find what you really like, are interested in, and make a career out of. The best way to get started is to volunteer/intern with local production companies. Donate your time in exchange for experience. Then, once you have a bit of the latter, you will start getting PA jobs. And you can PA in various departments. This way, you'll learn which department interests you. And then you direct your path towards that.
And you can do all of this while you continue your education...most film work (unless you have a full-time job at a studio or production company) is freelance/project-based, so quite flexible.
Younas Uzair
Freelance copywriting
1
Answer
Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Younas’s Answer
It’s totally okay to not have everything figured out yet, most people don’t at your age, even if they pretend they do. The fact that you’re thinking about this now and connecting your interests is a huge first step. Let’s break this down because you actually have the basics.
First, forget the idea that you need to know one specific job title right now. The film industry is massive. It’s not just directors and actors. It’s a giant machine with hundreds of moving parts, and it desperately needs creative people who also understand things like marketing, organization, and storytelling.
You mentioned you love the idea of being behind the scenes and working on sets. That’s perfect. You also mentioned marketing. Here’s the thing: Those two things are not separate paths. In today’s world, they are deeply connected.
Here’s how to think about your options and what to major in:
1. The "On-Set" Route (Production)
If you want to be on a soundstage or on location, helping to build the world of the movie, here’s what that looks like:
What they do: Production Assistants (the entry-level job that gets you on the ladder), Camera Operators, Grip and Electric (lighting), Sound Mixers, Art Directors, Set Decorators, Script Supervisors.
What to major in: Media Arts or Film Production is a great choice for this. These programs will let you touch the cameras, learn the software, and understand the language of filmmaking. Even if you don't become a Director of Photography, knowing how a set runs is your ticket in.
2. The "Business/Marketing" Route (The Industry Side)
This is where your marketing interest comes in, and it’s a massive part of the industry. Movies don't make money just because they're good; they make money because people know about them.
What they do: Marketing Coordinators at studios (like Warner Bros or Netflix), Social Media managers for film projects, Publicists, Distribution agents, Talent agents, Development executives (the people who read scripts and decide what movies get made).
What to major in: Marketing or Business with a minor in Media Arts is a good combination. Studios are corporations. They need smart people who understand audiences, how to sell a product, and how to build a brand. You could be the person designing the campaign for the next big blockbuster.
3. The Perfect Middle Ground (Where you might belong)
Given that you love creativity but also have that marketing brain, here are two roles you might love that blend both worlds:
Development: Working for a producer or a studio, reading scripts, finding new material, and giving notes. It's creative, but it's also about understanding the market and what will sell.
Post-Production: This happens after the set is gone. Editors, colorists, and sound designers sit in rooms and build the movie. It's behind the scenes, intensely creative, and requires a technical brain.
My Advice for You Right Now (The Simple Plan)
1. Don't stress about choosing the "wrong" major. You can't. If you pick Media Arts, you'll learn to tell stories. If you pick Marketing, you'll learn how to sell those stories to the world. Both are valuable in the film industry. If your school offers it, a double major or a major in one and a minor in the other is the ultimate safety net.
2. Use college to experiment. Join the film club on day one. Volunteer to be a production assistant on student films (this is free labor, but it’s how you learn if you actually like being on a set). Take a marketing elective. See which one makes you more excited to go to class.
3. Know that no experience is normal. Everyone starts exactly where you are. Your AP research project on music in films is not nothing. That shows you can analyze and think deeply about a part of filmmaking—that's a skill.
The film industry needs people who are creative and smart about business. You’re not confused, you’re just early in the process. Go to college, explore both media and marketing, and see which door opens first. You can always walk through the other one later.
First, forget the idea that you need to know one specific job title right now. The film industry is massive. It’s not just directors and actors. It’s a giant machine with hundreds of moving parts, and it desperately needs creative people who also understand things like marketing, organization, and storytelling.
You mentioned you love the idea of being behind the scenes and working on sets. That’s perfect. You also mentioned marketing. Here’s the thing: Those two things are not separate paths. In today’s world, they are deeply connected.
Here’s how to think about your options and what to major in:
1. The "On-Set" Route (Production)
If you want to be on a soundstage or on location, helping to build the world of the movie, here’s what that looks like:
What they do: Production Assistants (the entry-level job that gets you on the ladder), Camera Operators, Grip and Electric (lighting), Sound Mixers, Art Directors, Set Decorators, Script Supervisors.
What to major in: Media Arts or Film Production is a great choice for this. These programs will let you touch the cameras, learn the software, and understand the language of filmmaking. Even if you don't become a Director of Photography, knowing how a set runs is your ticket in.
2. The "Business/Marketing" Route (The Industry Side)
This is where your marketing interest comes in, and it’s a massive part of the industry. Movies don't make money just because they're good; they make money because people know about them.
What they do: Marketing Coordinators at studios (like Warner Bros or Netflix), Social Media managers for film projects, Publicists, Distribution agents, Talent agents, Development executives (the people who read scripts and decide what movies get made).
What to major in: Marketing or Business with a minor in Media Arts is a good combination. Studios are corporations. They need smart people who understand audiences, how to sell a product, and how to build a brand. You could be the person designing the campaign for the next big blockbuster.
3. The Perfect Middle Ground (Where you might belong)
Given that you love creativity but also have that marketing brain, here are two roles you might love that blend both worlds:
Development: Working for a producer or a studio, reading scripts, finding new material, and giving notes. It's creative, but it's also about understanding the market and what will sell.
Post-Production: This happens after the set is gone. Editors, colorists, and sound designers sit in rooms and build the movie. It's behind the scenes, intensely creative, and requires a technical brain.
My Advice for You Right Now (The Simple Plan)
1. Don't stress about choosing the "wrong" major. You can't. If you pick Media Arts, you'll learn to tell stories. If you pick Marketing, you'll learn how to sell those stories to the world. Both are valuable in the film industry. If your school offers it, a double major or a major in one and a minor in the other is the ultimate safety net.
2. Use college to experiment. Join the film club on day one. Volunteer to be a production assistant on student films (this is free labor, but it’s how you learn if you actually like being on a set). Take a marketing elective. See which one makes you more excited to go to class.
3. Know that no experience is normal. Everyone starts exactly where you are. Your AP research project on music in films is not nothing. That shows you can analyze and think deeply about a part of filmmaking—that's a skill.
The film industry needs people who are creative and smart about business. You’re not confused, you’re just early in the process. Go to college, explore both media and marketing, and see which door opens first. You can always walk through the other one later.
Mark Blitzer
Learning / HR Technology
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Mark’s Answer
It seems like you'd benefit from getting a diverse set of perspectives on how the film industry works, so you can focus your college studies accordingly. Because it's so large and varied, there are a lot of options! Thinking about roles that are adjacent to the creative process, there's everything from big studios, to talent agencies, even prop / set construction companies, labor relations, operations / logistics, tech-enablement / special effects, etc.
Of course, with so many paths, it may be hard to know where to start, so consider how you can network or find communities of interest to learn more about the business of film, and all that goes into it. Your college's career office may be able to help. Alumni networks can as well.
Also, don't be afraid to look locally. Many city / state governments have offices that are devoted to incentivizing film production. It's entirely possible that your local city councilperson / state rep may be able to help facilitate a connection so you can hear more about the ins and outs, and begin to gather some data to shape where you'd like to start.
And... don't feel like you need to nail this 100% with every single stage of your college career. Because there's so much diversity in film-connected jobs, almost any experience will build valuable transferable skills that can help you in the future!
Of course, with so many paths, it may be hard to know where to start, so consider how you can network or find communities of interest to learn more about the business of film, and all that goes into it. Your college's career office may be able to help. Alumni networks can as well.
Also, don't be afraid to look locally. Many city / state governments have offices that are devoted to incentivizing film production. It's entirely possible that your local city councilperson / state rep may be able to help facilitate a connection so you can hear more about the ins and outs, and begin to gather some data to shape where you'd like to start.
And... don't feel like you need to nail this 100% with every single stage of your college career. Because there's so much diversity in film-connected jobs, almost any experience will build valuable transferable skills that can help you in the future!
Jonathan Vlassopulos
1
Answer
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
There are great film programs at schools like UCLA, NYU, Florida state and Loyola. As you are interested in music, you could consider music supervision, music supervisors are responsible for picking the music that goes into movies. At this stage I would spend time looking at websites of the PGA, DGA, WGA and NATPE - there is a lot of information available and panels you can watch for free to learn more about how the industry is structured and what the different roles are. Good luck