Film production

The creative talent and technical knowledge you've developed during your film production degree will equip you with many skills beneficial for working in other sectors

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Film director
• Film/video editor
• Lighting technician, broadcasting/film/video
• Location manager
• Music producer
• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video
• Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
• Television/film/video producer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Broadcast engineer
• Broadcast journalist
• Concept artist
• Product designer
• Sound engineer
• Special effects technician
• Television camera operator
• Television floor manager
• Television production coordinator
• VFX artist

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Like all creative arts industries, starting your career in film production can be challenging as there's strong competition for roles. Work experience is essential for building your CV and portfolio, as well as increasing your networking opportunities.

An entry level job in film is as a runner, supporting production staff on film sets. This is a good way to learn about the production process and gain valuable contacts in the industry. Make use of the projects you can take on at university to build your portfolio.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Besides film production companies, job opportunities can be found across a range of sectors including:

• advertising and other creative industries
• charities
• corporate business
• marketing
• universities.

Opportunities may be advertised on dedicated websites, company websites, in trade magazines or with recruitment agencies. The professional contacts you make through work experience and study can also be a source of opportunities.

It's also possible to become a self-employed freelancer, working on short-term projects. Continuous learning and networking are important to finding and securing roles, as is a proactive attitude.

Find information on employers in creative arts and design, marketing, advertising and PR, media and internet and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

As well as developing your creative talent and technological knowledge, a degree in film production provides you with many skills that can be transferred to different professions. These include:

• time management and organisational skills
• team work and collaboration
• flexibility and willingness to adapt
• communication and interpersonal skills
• quick thinking and the ability to take direction
• working to a brief, to deadline and within a budget
• reflecting on, and evaluating, yours and others' work
• being proactive and having initiative.

Further study

There are a range of postgraduate degrees in film production throughout the UK and internationally. Postgraduate study can be a way to specialise within a certain area, such as editing, light engineering, sound engineering, distribution and production.

It can also increase your ability to perform competitively within the job market and advance your career in the long term, as it can show your commitment to your career or specialism.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search for postgraduate courses in film production.

What do film production students do?

Just over three quarters of film and television production graduates are in employment in the UK six months after graduation.

Three of the top five jobs held by graduates are art officers, producers and directors, and photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators.

Find out what other graduates are doing six months after finishing their degrees in What Do Graduates Do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.