Career questions tagged film
Careers within the film industry aren't just limited to an actor. Behind the scenes, successful careers include writer, director, editor, and many more involved in a film crew. For more information, please read below. Read more Show less
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.
Can I still work in the film industry with a degree in business & management?
I didn't have the chance to major in film or the arts (e.g graphic design) because of family. However, I do make a lot of video edits, 3d models, design and illustrations that I post online (mostly of my favourite shows or video games). I really want to be able to be able to have a creative job and for now my interests are in the art department in the film industry. However, I am not sure if I can do that when I graduate with a bachelor's in business and management? Can I still pursue my dreams? Maybe get a masters in the arts or some other way?
As someone aspiring to work in and produce film, along with screenwriting and acting, what are the best moves to make while in college to set up a promising career?
Will be returning to college as a sophomore, majoring in Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies.
Is screenwriting a reliable occupation?
I am unfamiliar with how the film industry works, and I am curious as to being a screenwriter is a full-time occupation or something similar to a "gig" job. Also, could AI threaten the existence of human-made films?
What do I do when everyone is telling me to get a "realistic career plan"? #Fall25
Hello! I'm only a freshman in highschool but I have always known that I wanted to do something in Arts, a/v technology & communications career cluster. I just now found out what I want to do in that cluster, I want to to be in the film industry. Whether it's acting on stage in front of a live audience or acting in movies/TV shows. I joined the highschool theater this year for the first time and got a major role in the Fall production. I can tell you that I have never been so proud and happy when we perform together, on a stage, in front of lots of people. The entire cast and crew put a lot of work and time into that production and it was the best feeling in the world, every single part of it. I told my parents that I would like to continue doing that as a career and get into a good college to pursue that career. All they could tell me is that it was probably not going to happen for lots of reasons sushi as: "we don't have money to afford a good college for you", "That is an unrealistic job that has high demand", and "It's probably best that you just start looking for another REALISTIC job that will be easier for you to pursue". How do I still pursue what I love doing and get money to save up for a good film college, while my parents keep telling me not to?
What is something people overlook when looking for a long term career?
I specifically am interested in going into the film industry and for the most part people say the biggest thing is to know someone. I want to know any other aspect of this industry is overlooked but helpful when trying to land a long term career.
What are the best ways to gain experience and land a job as a video editor?
I’m currently a freshmen in college and I’m little anxious about being able to land a job in this field after I graduate.
What early jobs or credits help SFX makeup artists move from random gigs to steady, repeat work?
I am an art student who wants to specialize in SFX makeup. I am comfortable learning new skills and collaborating, but I do not know which types of early projects (student films, theater, haunted houses, low‑budget shoots, etc.) matter most for getting hired again and again by the same teams.
When should a new SFX makeup artist start thinking about joining a union, and what should I do now to prepare?
I am still in college, building a portfolio through art classes and small projects. I hear a lot about unions for film and theater makeup artists, but I do not know when it becomes realistic to join or what groundwork I should be laying while I am still in school. I really want to insure steady income.
Where should I move after college to start a sustainable SFX makeup career in film or theater?
I am a college art student planning to become a special effects makeup artist for film or theater. I have looked into a few cities on my own and, based on cost of living, I feel more drawn to places like Atlanta or Toronto than LA or Hollywood. I do not want to lock myself in too early, though. For people currently working in the field, which cities would you seriously consider if you were starting now and wanted both steady income and good creative opportunities, and why would you choose them over the usual “big name” places?
How can I go from being an art student to a steady, paid special effects makeup career in film or theater?
I am a college art student, and I focus on special effects makeup, horror looks, and creative character design. I want to understand the real steps people take right after school to turn this into consistent paid work, not just one‑off gigs. Any specific examples of paths you or people you know took would help a lot.
How much technical knowledge do you really need to get an entry level position on a film set camera team?
I am a senior in film school, trying to get as much hands on experience with cameras as I can, but still struggling with all the technicalities.
What is something you know now about being in the film industry that you wish you knew before you started? #fall25
I am a first year college student looking to get into the film industry right after graduation. What can I start doing now and what should I do in the rest of my years? #fall25
What are the best tips to choosing my career specialization within the film industry?
I am interested in the filmmaking industry yet I am unsure of what exactly I want to do such as cinematography, videography, and special effects.
How do I stop my passion from bleeding into my work and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I’m a film and design major, and I genuinely love what I do, but sometimes I feel like I love it too much. It ends up becoming my whole life instead of just part of it.
How do I break into the film and television industry as someone who wants to be an executive?
I've been applying to internship programs at studios/production companies but is there another path?
What can I do while still in community college to build up my portfolio for Dodge Film College in the Film and Media Studies program?
I already post ratings on Letterboxd and on my Instagram. What else can I do to get a good chance of being accepted into Dodge?
How can I become an actor at age 13?
Hi, I am 13 years old almost an 8th grader and I love acting so I told my mom that I wanted to do real acting like on TV be in a movie or TV show how can I make that happen?
How can I get more motivation to finish the things I start?
I often start writing a lot of things. I have a lot of unfinished passion projects that I get others involved in, but then lose motivation for and start slacking off on. It always seems like an amazing Idea until I actually have to do something. I genuinely do't want to let the people I've gotten involved down and need ways to region motivation, and fast. Edit: The project I' working on is a small visual novel formatted series with small animations and cutscenes made by some people I have helping with the project. I write the script myself and make the episodes. The characters and stuff are all made and I have the times from the voice actors. The part I'm falling short with is the making of the actual episode.
How does one best get into working at Lucasfilm?
Hello! I am a soon-to-be grad at the University of Oregon and my dream goal is to land a job in creative development at Lucasfilm. I applied for the internship and didn't get it- what's my next best option? I am considering moving to the bay from here in Eugene to make better connections, but I'm not sure if that's my wisest move. Any help or advice is welcome!
How do people in the film and television industry find jobs immediately after college #Spring25?
I'm going to be in NYC, which is good for this industry but also very competitive.
What would you recommend to someone young trying to break into the film industry, with the goal of directing What are some other sustainable roles that pay well on a set that can be a ladder to directing?
I'm a junior studying film - I have been brought onto different sets for movement coordination/choreography and am wondering if there are any other roles like that that work closely with directors and are sustainable while pursuing my long term goal of being a director
What part of your college experience so far has felt like it'd be in a film? #Spring25
Hey everyone! I'm a senior in high school and getting ready to start college in the fall. I know every experience is different and movies usually are too good to be true. However, just for fun, for those of you in college or already graduated, what was your “this feels like a movie” moment? Could be something comedic, emotional, romantic, or an eye opening memory. Would love to hear your stories!
What has been your experience as a queer woman in the film industry??
I'm a high school senior looking to major in Film and Television production at Chapman University and I'm worried about going into a male dominated field.
What's a day in the life like for a screenwriter, what are the best ways to break into the industry?
What are some great ways to get a good start in the industry as a college student, who plans to become a screenwriter? Should I be mainly consuming screenplays and films or other pieces of media as well?
What were the steps you took in order to pursue a career in the film industry?
For all those who are pursuing a career in the film industry, especially those who have created their own film or worked on a film production. What were the steps you took in order to pursue a career in the film industry? I have heard a lot of different stories on how people pursued a career in the film industry. Some stories are alike, but one part that I like is that all of the stories that I've heard are different because they each have their own unique tale.
High school senior split between film school or business school: need advice?
Hey everyone, I’m really at a crossroads in my life and need some guidance from people who may have experience or insights into my situation. I’m deciding between two universities for my college education, and it’s a huge decision for me. Here’s a little about myself and my career aspirations, followed by the two schools I’m considering and why it’s such a tough choice. I have a strong passion for the entertainment industry and the intersection of business and media. I’ve been heavily involved in all aspects of film production, photography, videography, etc. several years. This past year I've also been building my own brand and website for photography, where I’ve also worked on various videography projects. My goal is to pursue a career that combines business management with creative media, particularly in the entertainment field. I want to lead creative projects, manage teams, and possibly even develop my own production business or do something in entrepreneurship. The two schools I’m considering are CU Boulder and Biola University, and they each offer a slightly different approach to achieving my goals. CU Boulder Major: Business (management or marketing) Minor: Media production (school of media and communications) Pros: CU Boulder offers a prestigious business program through the Leeds School of Business, which is highly ranked and provides solid fundamentals in management, marketing, and finance. The flexibility of pairing a business major with a media-related minor is appealing because it would allow me to maintain a strong business foundation while exploring creative media. CU Boulder is also a large, research-intensive university with a broad alumni network and plenty of opportunities to network with professionals in a variety of fields. CU is also well-known for its vibrant campus culture and I'd feel like I'd really be getting more of the "college experience" there Cons: The business and creative tracks seem to be somewhat separate, which could make it harder to integrate the two areas. I’d need to take more initiative to blend the creative and business sides of my education, which could be difficult given the large size of the school and the general focus on traditional business education. The Boulder area also isn't amazing for the industry I want to go into, and I feel it'd be harder for me to make connections and pursue relevant internships. Biola University Major: Media (Entertainment Business Concentration) Minor: Business Administration Pros: Biola offers a much more specialized and integrated approach, with a specific concentration on entertainment business. Their curriculum blends both creative and business aspects, covering everything from film production and screenwriting to entertainment financing and media law. This direct focus on the entertainment industry is exactly what I’m looking for, and Biola is also currently constructing a brand new state of the art facility for their media school. The small class sizes at Biola also mean I’d get more personalized attention from faculty and have closer connections with industry professionals. Plus, the industry proximity in LA is huge for building a career. Cons: Biola’s network is smaller than CU Boulder’s, and while it’s more industry-specific, it might be more limiting if I want to explore broader career options in the future. It’s also a much smaller university (my Dad calls it a no name school), which might not have the same range of extracurriculars or resources in other fields like business. I also don't love Biola's requirement of having to take a lot of required Bible classes, and the campus culture seems to be welcoming but also very restrictive and ultra-Christian. I don't want to feel like I'm missing out on the larger four year university experience. Biggest Questions I’m Facing: Do I want a broader, flexible business education, or do I want a more niche, entertainment-specific education? How much do the alumni networks and industry connections of each school matter for my future career? How important is it for me to have a more personalized, smaller school experience versus a larger, research-driven university? Given that I already have a lot of experience in media production, should I prioritize a school that gives me more space to develop business skills or one that focuses more on the entertainment industry specifically? I would really appreciate any feedback, whether it's based on your own experience or general thoughts on the pros and cons of each school. Any help in making this important decision would mean a lot, I'm still very split and have to decide soon. Thanks so much!
Will it be easier to follow a career in film if I first get a degree in business administration ?
I want to be able to find a job after I finish with my 4 years in college.
What is the best way to stand out to internship recruiters as an undergraduate student with little experience?
I am currently a sophomore Marketing major , Film minor at Howard University. I want to have my own production company post grad and haven't landed an internship yet. I need advice on what to do.