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:

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

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Broadcast engineer
• Broadcast journalist
• Photographer
• Production designer, theatre/television/film
• Sound engineer
• Special effects technician
• Television camera operator
• 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 competition for roles is strong. It's essential to get work experience to build a good CV, develop a portfolio/showreel and create 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.

You can also use projects at university to build up a portfolio of work. There may be opportunities for work experience or field trips, or both, in the UK and overseas as part of your degree course. Helping out at local film festivals may also be possible.

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.

Don't forget that personal projects count too. If you have produced videos for social media or YouTube, these can be great examples of what you're capable of.

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.

You'll also find 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, through social media, 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, 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
• storytelling
• screen/script writing
• special effects
• 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
• understanding consent and ethical inclusion
• 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 screenwriting, 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?

A third (31%) of film production graduates are working as arts officers, producers and directors (16%) or photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators (15%). Sales and retail assistants, sports and leisure assistants, and advertising and marketing associate professionals are also among the top five most commonly reported occupations.

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

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.