Film production

Film making is highly competitive but a degree in film production helps you to build the skills and develop your talent and portfolio to break into the industry

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

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

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Animator
• Broadcast engineer
• Broadcast journalist
• Photographer
• Production designer, theatre/television/film
• 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

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/showreel, as well as increasing your networking opportunities. Working as a runner, supporting production staff on film sets, is a good way to learn about the production process and gain valuable contacts in the industry.

Use projects at university to build up a portfolio of work. There may be opportunities for work experience or field trips both in the UK and overseas as part of your degree course. You could also help out at local film festivals. All of this can be used to evidence your enthusiasm and talent for the role when applying for further work experience opportunities, which can sometimes be difficult to secure.

Showcase your work to industry professionals at every opportunity, for example at competitions and festivals. Make the most of all opportunities to network and develop your contacts and send your CV to as many production companies as you can.

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

Typical employers

Job opportunities are available with film and television production companies, as well as with online broadcasting companies.

There are also opportunities within the broader creatives industries, as well as other sectors. Typical employers include:

• advertising, PR and other creative companies
• charities
• corporate business
• marketing companies
• universities.

Opportunities may be advertised on industry 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.

Many graduates work on a freelance basis, working on a range of short-term projects. You can also set up your own company. You'll need to be proactive in looking for opportunities and build up a network of contacts. Be prepared to continue your learning in order to keep up to date with technological developments and secure work.

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

Skills for your CV

In your film production degree you'll cover the technical, production, creative and business skills needed to work in the film industry. Film production courses include a mix of practice and theory that allow you to develop knowledge in areas such as:

• cinematography
• directing
• editing
• producing
• screen/script writing
• sound.

You also develop many other skills that are useful in the wider creative arts industries. These skills include:

• teamwork and collaboration
• project management
• the ability to organise your time, resources and people
• 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

Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in order to further develop their skills in a particular area of film production. There are a range of Masters courses available allowing you to specialise in subjects such as editing, light engineering, sound engineering, distribution and production.

It's also possible to do further training to lead you into another career, such as advertising, marketing or teaching, where you can use the skills from your film production degree in a different way. Before starting a postgraduate course check if it's a requirement for your chosen career path.

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?

The top two jobs held by film production graduates include photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators (12%), art officers, producers and directors (9%).

Find out what other film production graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.