Film and Video Production |
Who Are Film Makers and Video Producers?Is This Program in My Area?What Do Film Makers and Video Producers Do? Film makers and video producers use their various skills and talents as actors, producers, writers, directors, camera operators and editors to create images and sound on film, television and digital media to entertain, inform or instruct an audience. They create movies, television shows, commercials and trade or instructional videos. Film makers and video producers perform, direct, and produce their art and audio/visual/digital productions in local or regional television studios, theaters, or film production companies. Film Making and Video Production Training People pursuing careers as actors, producers, directors, editors, videographers or as other film making and video production professional must attend an accredited film school. Film school offers the necessary formal training any film maker needs to gain the necessarily skills for their craft. Film school courses are available at colleges, universities, vocational schools, conservatories, art schools and specialized training schools with a film school program. Film school classes include training in television broadcasting, communications, film, editing, makeup and costume design, theater, drama, or dramatic literature. Film school classes also provide practical training by having film school students write, shoot, direct, and edit their own short films. Film school students are able to earn 2 year degrees, 4 year degrees and Masters of Fine Arts degrees, depending on the film school program pursued. Film Making and Video Production Certification There are not any professional certifications required for filmmakers. However there are several professional unions and trade organizations that filmmakers must belong to in order to work on film production jobs. Film and television actors join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), television actors, producers, editors and production team members join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), writers join the Screen Writers Guild, and directors join the Directors Guild of America. Film Making and Video Production Job Prospects Jobs for filmmakers are rewarding, exciting, glamorous but are also highly competitive. Actors must audition for roles and parts in commercials, movies, and television shows. Directors, producers, editors and other film production workers tend to work for movie studio, television production studios and video production studios. Most of the jobs for film makers are centered in Los Angeles and New York, however there are several regional independent film production companies across the United States that also provide employment opportunities for film makers and film school graduates. Film Maker and Video Producer Job Security and Salary Demand for actors, directors, producers, editors and other film makers strong and, according to the Bureau of Labor, is expected to increase 11 percent over the next eight years. Film school graduates tend to have the best chances for employment in the industry. Even though employment for film makers tends to be seasonal and erratic, expanding cable and satellite television operations, increasing production and distribution of major studio and independent films, and rising demand for films in other countries are creating more employment opportunities for actors, producers, and directors. Film makers tend to earn annual salaries ranging from $22,000 to $88,000. |