Films are an important media, not only for entertainment and information but also for communication. It is inclusive of feature films, documentaries, promotional films, TV commercials, music videos, etc. The movie industry is bigger and more diverse than ever. As a result, careers in film production are an increasingly attractive option for creative thinkers. India is the largest producer of Films. Bollywood alone is valued at more than $2.28 billion, with an expected 11 per cent annual growth in the last year according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India. With such growth and the increasing demand for films, in both national and international markets, the demand for professionally trained film-makers has also increased. The technique of filmmaking is a teamwork which needs close coordination of various skilled individuals. Film-making is a process that includes several aspects such as storytelling, direction, screenplay, cinematography, the casting of actors, deciding budget and locations to shoot, etc. These series of occupations in the film industry involve hard work, both mentally and physically, with long hours, often in uncomfortable locations. If one has artistic and technical skills and at the same time able to express ideas, then this is the right field for you.
Career Options in Film Industry
For a career in this industry, one should basically need to be creative and must have self-confidence. There are numerous career paths in the filmmaking sector, depends on your choice and interest in which you want to make your career. Following are some of the careers in the film industry.
- Producer: The main job of a producer is to make sure that everybody else is doing their job properly. He chooses the story, manages resources, appoints the cast and crew including the director, chooses locations, manages legal issues etc. It is producer’s responsibility for taking care of all aspects of the creation and production of a film, such as the conception and writing of the story, the acquisition of funding and the artwork used for retail release. While there are numbers of other professionals who assist film producers such as directors, cinematographers, and editors. It is the film producer who makes sure that all the production components are working together through all phases of the filmmaking process. Travel is often required and producers often work long hours and sometimes in unpleasant weather conditions. Key skills like communication, leadership, management, business and creativity are mainly needed in this field. No degree is required but still a bachelor’s or master’s in fine arts, acting, writing, journalism, arts management or a comparable discipline may be helpful. The average pay for a Film/TV Producer is Rs.10,00,000 annually.
- Director: A movie director is a chief person responsible for the creative aspects of film production. Director is the producer’s, right-hand man. It is the director with whom most of the people will have to work. The choreography, the costume, the music and crew all rely on him. While creating the look of a film, movie directors may make script changes, determine movie locations, finalize costume designs, approve special effects, and provide coaching to actors. Jobs may be stressful, with often working under deadlines. Filming and directing in a wide range of weather conditions is also common in this profession. A bachelor's degree in journalism, film, communication, acting, arts management or a relevant discipline may need. Moreover, key skills like communication, leadership, management, business, and creativity must be present in a director. The median annual salary of a director is around Rs.8,00,000.
- Editor: As the films are made in a long and jumbled way so it is the editor’s duty to put everything in a sequence. He has to work very closely with the director and the producer to keep their visions true. A video & film editor’s job is to take videotapes to produce a single refined piece of video. A video editor is considered to be a backbone of any post-production process. The key responsibility of a video editor is to edit any visual media-form like soundtracks, film and videos for the cable and broadcast visual media industries. He chooses what must be re-shot and what needs to be cut away. He should be well aware of special effects and synchronizes the soundtrack. There is no formal educational qualification required to enter into this profession. All one needs is the training in the computer systems and programs used in digital video/film editing and an interest in editing visual media. In general, editors often have a bachelor's or a master's degree in animation or media arts. The median yearly salary for the editor is around Rs.6,00,000.
- Screenplay Writer: The screenwriting is the art of creating the story, developing the characters and providing dialogues to the same story. The screenwriters are the writers of the script of the films. They create the dialogues, the characters and the storylines of movie scripts. The screenwriter is often the most essential person in film production because no movie can start without some form of a script. Screenwriters create the basic structure of the movie and provide the general foundation, which is later imagined and detailed by putting it up on the story and eventually on the film. To become a bachelor's degree in screenwriting is required. The average annual salary of a screenplay writer is near about Rs.7,00,000 rest is dependent upon the budget of the film.
- Actor/Actress: Actors depict characters in stories using their voices, appearances, bodies and gestures. While working as an actor, they perform for entertainment and informational purposes. Actors can play main characters or supporting roles. The actor studies the script to learn about the character and memorize the speaking parts. Actors work under the director who advises them on how to portray the characters. To bring the character to life, actors change their voices, dialects, facial expressions and other traits. The income of the actor totally depends on the reputation of the actor in the film industry.
- Animator: The film animator produces multiple images, also known as frames, which when sequenced together rapidly create an illusion of movement known as animation. The images can be made up using different mediums such as digital or hand-drawn pictures, models or puppets. For the medium of film, animators often use computer-aided design programs and tend to work in 2D animation, 3D model-making animation, stop frame or computer-generated animation. Although educational requirements for entering this field can vary, and in some cases, a formal education may not be needed at all, film animators typically have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fine art, computer graphics, animation, or a similar field. The annual median salary of an animator in the film industry is nearby Rs.4,50,000.
- Cinematographer: Cinematographer is also known as a director of photography work alongside the directors to give films their own unique aesthetic style. They are responsible for managing camera crews and lighting crews. They also oversee the selection and manipulation of technical equipment to create striking images on the screen. They make big decisions about the use of different lenses, filters, lighting techniques and camera movements to create the dramatic effect and prompt different emotional responses from the audience. They are also responsible for making decisions about aspect ratio, digital effects and image contrast and frame rates. A bachelor's degree in Digital camera and computer skills, artistic ability or equivalent is needed to become a cinematographer. As the cinematographer becomes more experienced, his/her salary rises to Rs.6,00,000 per year.
- Cameraman: A cameraman is responsible for capturing the action as directed by a predefined script or as the event unfolds. Robotics and digital equipment have made this job less demanding physically, but a cameraman must always be prepared for adverse weather or dangerous conditions when shooting on a remote location. This is the cinematographer’s right-hand man; must have high technical proficiency and an in-depth knowledge of cameras. To become a cameraman you have to do a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, film, journalism, photography, or photojournalism. The average salary for a Cameraman is Rs.3,20,000 per year.
- Lighting Technician/Operator: The Lighting Technician controls the lighting and visuals appearing onset by operating the lighting board. He/she is also responsible for rigging lights; hanging lights, unloading and moving lighting equipment, and making sure all instruments are fully functional. Turning day into night, or shifting moods with just the change of colour; this job requires high technical skill and experience. You could qualify as an electrician and get practical experience in production lighting. You could also do a college course to learn skills like stage electrics and lighting design. The average annual salary of a light operator in this industry is near about Rs.3,50,000.
- Sound Technician: Sound technician setup, maintain, and operate equipment sound recordings. Generally, sound technicians who work on the production side of things are responsible for checking and preparing all the sound equipment for shoots, carrying out additional practical tasks to minimize unwanted sounds on set, evaluating the acoustics of a particular studio or location, and positioning recording equipment in the right place at the right time. Furthermore, they will tweak sound levels and monitor audio signals during filming. The dialogue, music and various other different sounds which are used in TV shows and films need to be clear, crisp and emphatic. Consequently, the practical and technical skills of sound technicians are absolutely essential for providing the audience with a satisfying multi-sensory experience. A bachelor’s degree in sound engineering technology or recording arts is required to become a professional sound technician. The average pay for a Sound Engineer is Rs.3,50,000 annually.
Remember the three P's of film industry: stay passionate, persistent, and patient and you will dramatically increase your odds of succeeding in the entertainment industry. So, these are some of the popular careers in the film industry in which you can make your career.
