By Arijit Dutta, Managing Director Priya Entertainments Pvt Ltd

 

A degree in film studies provides you with a combination of theoretical and technical skills that you can apply to a wide range of jobs in the creative industries

 

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

 

• Broadcast presenter
• Film director
• Location manager
• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Television camera operator
• Television/film/video producer
• Television production coordinator

 

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

 

• Advertising art director
• Archivist
• Community arts worker
• Event manager
• Marketing executive
• Public relations officer
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video

 

Work experience

 

Careers within the film industry are competitive to survive you shall need determination and grit. Work experience and networking shall open doors to the right opportunities, one must start making contacts early to have the best chance of success.

 

Film studies degrees combine both technical and theoretical knowledge in some cases and others focus more on the theory of film and filmmaking. Work experience helps in making a  decision as to which direction one to takes after the degree.

 

Developing a portfolio is essential to pursue a career in film. Using opportunities during degree course to showcase the work, at festivals and competitions, attending  guest lectures and events from people in the industry helps a lot.

 

Typical employers

 

Popular sectors include the media, creative, cultural and heritage industries. As well as traditional destinations in the film and broadcasting industries, graduates may also be interested in other media sectors such as publishing and research.

 

Employers include: 

• cinema
• large broadcasters
• independent production houses
• newspapers and film magazines
• market research companies.

 

 

Others include:

• advertising, PR and marketing companies
• cultural and heritage organisations involved in curating, film preservation, and archiving
• multimedia authoring and digital design companies
• organisations involved in festival and cultural event management

 

Skills required for Profile

During a film studies degree, subject specific skills develop and it is in multifarious subjects.  Courses differ and some may have more emphasis on the theory of film.

Technical skills include sound recording, camera operation, studio production, editing and more. Theoretical skills as analysis of film and develop skills in areas such as film and culture, national cinema traditions and genres and how directors approach their work.

 

A broader range of skills also develop as

 

• Discipline and goal setting
• research skills and objective analysis
• skills in critical analysis
• a flexible approach to work
• communication skills and the ability to effectively articulate an opinion
• the ability to work to a set brief independently or collaboratively
• the ability to adapt writing to suit different audiences
• Ideation through to outcomes
• a creative approach to work.

 

Higher study

 

Masters courses are available in film studies, providing an opportunity to research further into your degree subject. Check specific details carefully, as different courses may have research strengths in particular areas, for example in film history or film theory.

 

Opportunities for film studies graduates

 

Film is a competitive industry to gain entry – securing work experience, networking developing  skills is very important.

 

While careers in film are extremely rewarding but they come with a low level of job security with a project to project basis employment. Wages, working hours and locations will differ.

 

Film director

 

Film directors are crucial to the completion of any film. They’re responsible for overseeing all aspects of the creative process and bringing them together. Strong communication skills, administrative skills, time management and the ability to find solutions under pressure are extremely facets of a successful film director.

 

A degree helps but important is to have practical experience.

 

DOP (Director of photography)

 

Also known as cinematographers, directors of photography work with film directors to realise scenes in line with their visions. Managing camera and lighting crews on a film set, make artistic and technical decisions and review footage in the post-production stage.

 

Film/video editor

 

Film editors work with raw footage in post-production to compile an end result that’s suitable for release. They’ll often work closely with the director to ensure their work is in line with the director’s intentions for the film.

 

Television/film/video producer

 

Producers oversee the entire creative process of a film from conception to completion, working closely with the director to make artistic and technical decisions about shooting, budgets and post-production.

 

Sound technician

 

A sound technician operates the equipment for recording, mixing and enhancing the audio of a film. It could either be working on a set, coordinating with the producers to meet their sound requirements and monitoring the recording process, or in post-production integrating audio with visual content and create and alter sound effects.

 

Lighting technician

Good lighting is a key to creating the right scene. This is what a lighting technician brings to the production process through technical knowledge and a good level of physical fitness for lifting heavy lighting equipment and creative flair.

 

Hair and makeup artists

 

Providing a crucial visual aspect to any film, hair and makeup artists ensure the actors in a film appear authentic to the time period the film is set, its geographical location and age of the character they’re playing.

 

Programme researcher

 

A  programme researcher supports the producers, director and writers by carrying out factual and picture research to ensure what’s being shown in the film is accurate, using the internet, film archives and museum collections to carry out research. , Getting copyright clearance for the use of music and literary material in the production is the responsibility of a programme researcher

 

Location manager

 

A location manager is responsible for identifying, researching and organising access to sites for film shoots. Managing cast and crew to ensure shoots on location are completed within time and budget constraints make it a demanding job.

 

Runner

The junior most position in any film production department is that of a Runner. The job entails a runner to carry out administrative tasks and help in the smooth functioning of a film’s production. Runner’s work involves setting up locations for a shoot, hiring props and transporting equipment, among other tasks.