Film production

A male and female student editing a film on a computer

So, you want to work in the film industry? Do you know what this might involve?

The UK film industry is multifaceted, employing around 66,000 people in a huge range of roles.

We offer an introduction to the sector as a whole, and then focus on how to find work experience and paid roles in film production specifically, as this is the most common area of interest for Nottingham students and graduates.

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What does the film industry cover?

The UK film industry can be divided into five broad areas:

Acquisition and development: the period where the rights to the idea or story are bought, a script is developed, talent is brought on board and production financing is secured.
Pre-production and production:
- pre-production, the project is 'green lit', the screenplay becomes the 'shooting script' and the filming schedule is planned out in detail to allow the production to take place.
- production, the director marshals the resources of a production crew, the film is shot and then the set is dismantled. Marketing can also begin at any stage of the production.
Post-production: the principal photography is edited and visual effects and sound are added to produce the 'fine cut'.
Sales and distribution: This is the stage when the film (ideally) makes its money; marketing strategies are implemented, distribution deals are made and the film is sold to cinemas and various streaming platforms.

Current skills gaps

highly specialised craft roles (such as 3D modelling)
front line technical roles (such as camera)
many post-production activities outlined here

What roles are available in film production?

ScreenSkills provides a detailed guide to the various areas and roles available in the film industry, including in production. It outlines the skills and qualifications required, and provides a road map of progression between different types and levels of work.

Explore roles in film production

*To view other roles in the film industry beyond production, including script editor, clear the 'production' search filter.

How do I find work experience and my first job in film production?

How do graduates get into the sector?

Film, and in particular film production is a popular and therefore competitive sector. There are no set entry routes, but gaining work experience and meeting people is essential to making inroads.

Graduates typically start off in assistant-level positions such as production runner, researcher or office PA.

Find out more about these roles on myfirstjobinfilm.com

Entry level roles:

Go My First Job In Film

In these entry-level positions, you'll be expected to do odds and ends and the hours can be long. However, if you pay attention and engage with all elements of the job, you can learn a lot about the industry, build networks, and potentially find your next role.

Anecdotally, those who stand out during their first position as reliable and hardworking are hired by the same employers or are recommended for other positions.

Qualifications

Success in getting a job in film depends more on your skills, enthusiasm and commitment than the subject you have studied.

Certain roles may require specific qualifications or training, so explore the job profiles that interest you on the Screen Skills website.

Training and schemes

Trainee schemes do exist, but can come and go as funding fluctuates. Check Screen Skills and BBC trainee schemes for details of current schemes.

The Independent Cinema Office's Film Exhibition, Distribution and Sales Scheme is one example.

The Production Guild runs a series of paid-for courses on all aspects of production including introductory courses for runners, while FutureLearn and ScreenSkills provide online courses to help familiarise you with different aspects of the film industry.

Where can I find jobs?

The following jobs boards advertise roles across the industry, including entry-level roles such as runner and assistant:

Creative Access: opportunities for young people from BAME backgrounds

Video Collective

Talent Bases: employers across the sector

There is no one place to look for jobs in film production, as some vacancies may be unadvertised, freelance or found through networks, so you may also wish to research or apply speculatively to one of the many:

Get our advice on CVs and covering letters before sending off a speculative application.

What can I do at Nottingham to help me get into the industry?

Building your skills

Brush up on essential professional skills

Use your time at university to find work experience or volunteering which will help you demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and professionalism, and hone skills including time management, prioritising competing workloads and working to tight deadlines.

Brushing up on administration skills including writing professional emails using systems such as Outlook, and Microsoft applications such as Excel will also help equip you for your first role.

Read Chantelle's blog: What I learned during my placement at Fox Studios, USA

Doing it yourself: develop a portfolio

Idea
Kit
Teach yourself
Showcase work
Network
If you've got an idea, a script, a camera phone and perhaps a few friends willing to participate as actors, then you've got the basic ingredients for creating your own amateur films with little to no budget.

Online resources like BlackBox help you to hone your production skills, and platforms like YouTube and stock agencies enable you to host or broadcast your work for free, potentially making money, so why not start producing right now?

Developing a portfolio of work will provide invaluable experience and help show potential collaborators or investors that you're serious about working in film.

Get involved with a student society

There are several student societies, which offer training and opportunities to gain hands-on production experience by working on projects with like-minded people.

Visit the Student's Union societies page for more information

Networking

Joining film-related groups or projects, getting work experience and attending industry events will gradually expand your film contacts.

In Nottingham, the independent Broadway Cinema hosts events, film making training, special screenings and bi-monthly screening of indie short films with post-event networking.

The Royal Television Society (RTS) event provides a chance to meet people interested in or already working in various areas of film production.

Another way to build your networks is by getting casual work as a crowd actor or 'extra', which will give you the chance to meet likeminded people, and get first-hand experience of a working film set.

Meeting and talking to people in the industry, being friendly and polite, and following up on these conversations is essential to breaking in. Go to live events and get used to pitching your ideas.

Online networking

If online networking is more your style, or you want to start off or doing some research on your own, Shooting People and ScreenSkills mentors are good places to meet people interested in collaborating or talking about film.