It takes a lot of people with specialized skills to create a feature film. The film industry employs people to work on sets, props, sound design, marketing, and much, much more. If you’re interested in a career within the film industry, the hard part might be narrowing down your options!
Here are just some of the many career paths you might consider.
Director
The director is the creative visionary behind any film. Their role is to make a movie come together by overseeing production and using their interpretation of the script. They work with everyone involved in production to help bring their vision to life so they need to have advanced knowledge of every facet of the process.
Actor
Actors are the most visible people in the film industry. They bring characters in a film to life and are the stars of the show! However, many actors work their entire careers in supporting roles as well.
Producer
Think of producers as the masters of business logistics in film. Their role is to find scripts and bring all the pieces together to produce a finished movie on time and within budget. Producers mainly work off the set and must compromise with the director to ensure that the business side of the film remains on track.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters are the minds behind the stories. Whether it’s an original script, an adaptation of a book, or a remake, a screenwriter is needed to write the dialogue and guide the action of the movie within the script. Although movie scripts include settings and some action, the director interprets the script and creates their own vision.
Cinematographer
A cinematographer or director of photography is in charge of shooting the film. Cinematographers have an in-depth understanding of camera angles, lighting, and composition to capture the action and emotion of each scene. They also understand how different filming techniques are used for different types of film (a documentary film should look very different from an action movie!).
Composer
Every movie needs music, known as the “score.” A composer is tasked with writing the score for an individual movie, matching the music with the action in each scene. Depending on the movie, there might also be songs that will be incorporated into the story itself.
Casting Director
Casting directors have the responsibility of finding the perfect actors for each role in a film. For big-budget films, they might call in high-profile actors to audition, or they might have open casting calls. Casting directors work closely with the film’s director to ensure that they are on the same page when casting the movie.
Film Editor
Film editors take all of the footage that has been created for the film and edit it into a cohesive movie. Editors work closely with the director to help ensure that the final cut is in line with their vision for the film.
Set Designer
Setting the scene for a movie is critical to creating an immersive experience. Set designers must work with their teams to create blueprints and concepts that will be turned into finished sets. There’s a lot of creativity in set design, combined with a need for practicality so that the sets can actually be built, and within the set budget.
Sound Designer
A sound designer is responsible for getting all of the sounds that will be used in the film. They are also tasked with making sure all the sounds, including effects, dialogue, and music, work together and mix properly.
Prop Master
Prop masters are in charge of all the items that will be used in a film. It sometimes involves tracking down some very strange things, in addition to managing every single prop that is needed for the film.
Costume Designer
A costume designer creates the concepts of the costumes for a film, then oversees the production and procurement of the needed garments. Costume design is a great career path for those who are interested in fashion, sewing, and how costumes can help to tell a story.
Makeup Artist
Film makeup artists today do a lot more than simple foundation, blush, and eyeliner. They can help create incredible effects that look incredibly realistic.
Visual Effects Artist
Today, almost all movies include special effects, such as CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery). Visual effects artists are talented individuals who use software to create incredible effects and characters.
In animated films, the visual effects form the basis for the entire movie. People who do animation and character art for movies typically specialize, working only on animated movies.
Post-Production Roles
Marketing, publicity, and distribution are all critical to the success of a feature film. Although they are not involved in the actual production process, they are responsible for ensuring that the general public is aware of the movie and that they will be able to go see it as soon as it releases.
Choose a Career That Aligns with Your Talents and Interests
The great news about working in the film industry is that there are so many options. It should be easy to find a career path that aligns with your talents and interests within the industry. However, it’s important to note that building a career in film can be challenging and involves persistence, talent, and a bit of luck.
Whether you’re a creative who wants to see their art on the big screen or someone who’s great at managing people, there’s a role for you in film production and distribution. Each of these jobs requires different skills and training, but all require passion and enthusiasm for the magic of making an idea come to life on the screen.
