The Ultimate Guide to Filmmaking Jobs
I would travel down to hell and wrestle a film from the devil if it was necessary.
-Werner Herzog
The Ultimate Guide to Filmmaking Jobs
Have you ever sat through movie credits and wondered about all those names rolling by? Those hundreds (maybe even thousands?) of names represent an amazing world of filmmaking careers that most people don’t even know exist.
My years in film production have taught me something important: the film industry offers so much more than just directing or acting. There are hundreds of career paths in a variety of fields. You could become a visual effects artist, sound designer, production coordinator, costume designer, or chef! Careers in the film industry are diverse and exciting, offering opportunities for both creative and technical professionals.
Getting your first job on a film crew might feel daunting but this piece will show you how to start your journey in film production. Whether you’re a recent film school graduate, someone looking to change careers, or you’re just deep down a random internet rabbit hole!
We’ll take a closer look at every aspect of the film industry. You’ll learn about entry-level positions, specialized roles, actual salary figures, and practical steps to launch your filmmaking career.
Entry-Level Film Jobs
Production Assistant Roles
The PA role really shows what it means to start from scratch. The United States has over 62,000 PA positions, which gives newcomers plenty of chances to break in. PAs can earn between $31,000 to $43,000 annually. These salaries change a lot based on where you work and what type of production you’re on.
If you’re looking for “production assistant jobs near me”, you’ll find that these positions are often available in major film production hubs. You can find them through local film commissions, local Facebook groups, DGA/DGC, and even here, on our job board!
Key PA responsibilities include:
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Managing administrative tasks and paperwork
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Coordinating between departments
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Yelling ‘Rolling’ and ‘Cut’. Sometimes you get to press some buttons too!
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Supporting talent needs on set
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Maintaining set organization and cleanliness
- Wrangling people (both cast and bystanders)
- And a random amount of other tasks needed at the time!
PA roles are great because they’re so flexible. I’ve seen many PAs move into specialized departments once they showed their skills and interests. It’s best to take advantage of your PA positions and speak with other departments when you can. This will help you figure out which position(s) you want to pursue and plan your next course of action!
Runner Positions
Runner positions are basically the UK version of PAs. These roles give you another excellent way into the film industry. British and European productions treat these as their most junior position on any set.
Runners stand out because they focus on physical production support. They handle everything from moving equipment to working with different departments. You’ll need amazing organizational skills and a valid driver’s license to succeed.
Apprenticeship Opportunities
The film industry now has more apprenticeship programs than ever. These structured training programs give you a more formal path into filmmaking. The AME Apprenticeship Programs are a great example – they give you industry-designed training while you earn money on the job.
These programs work so well because you get hands-on experience plus classroom learning. Apprentices usually complete a minimum of 144 hours of related supplemental instruction. This builds solid foundations in both theory and practical film production.
Major production hubs like Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta have the most apprenticeship chances. Some programs pay up to $250 per shoot day, which makes them attractive to people who want to learn and earn at the same time.
These entry-level jobs are tough, but they’re a great way to get exposed to filmmaking. You can watch different departments work and figure out which area of film production lines up best with your career goals. It also gives you a sense of what a career in film will be like and you can decide if it’s a career you’d like to stick to.
Specialized Technical Careers
Visual Effects Positions
VFX departments play a significant role in modern filmmaking. It’s present in almost every movie, whether you notice it or not. A VFX Supervisor manages sequences that can’t be created on set – from massive crowds to fire-breathing dragons. The field has grown remarkably, and VFX artists now earn an average of $70,820 annually.
Key technical VFX roles include:
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VFX Supervisor: Oversees final effect looks and provides on-set guidance
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Compositor: Creates textures and layers for realistic imagery
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Technical Director: Ensures proper VFX implementation
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VFX Coordinator: Manages the workflow between different VFX teams
Sound Design Roles
Sound design often goes unnoticed but remains vital to a film’s success. Sound Designers earn an average of $77,875 annually, making it one of the more rewarding technical careers. They manage both diegetic and non-diegetic sound elements that serve the story perfectly.
The sound department has several specialized positions. Sound mixers handle all recorded audio during production. Foley artists create custom sound effects like footsteps and creaking floors. ADR mixers are the backbone of post-production and manage dialogue correction processes. The production sound mixer and boom operator work closely on set to capture high-quality audio.
Camera Department Jobs
The camera department stands as the foundation of film production. Directors of Photography (DPs) work closely with directors to shape the film’s visual style. Modern DPs must know both traditional cinematography and state-of-the-art digital technologies.
The camera department’s structure includes several essential positions. Camera Operators handle the camera and help compose the shots, while the First Assistant Camera (1st AC) manage focus pulling and equipment maintenance. The Second Assistant Camera (2nd AC) help the 1sts, slate the camera, mark actors, and handle back-end logistics. Digital Imaging Technicians (DITs) have become essential – they handle on-set color correction and manage digital workflows.
These technical careers fascinate me because they never stop changing. To cite an instance, see how motion capture technology created more demand for VFX Supervisors on set. DITs became essential when productions moved from film to digital. These roles give both creative satisfaction and financial stability. Of course, this depends on the specific production as well as your experience.
Creative Department Positions
Creative departments are the visual foundation of film production. They breathe life into scripts through design, costume, and makeup.
Art Department Roles
They work with directors to shape the film’s visual concept and oversee specialized teams.
Key art department positions include:
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Art Directors: Managing logistical execution
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Set Designers: Creating blueprints and 3D renderings
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Set Decorators: Choosing and arranging set elements
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Prop Masters: Overseeing all property elements
The art director plays a crucial role in translating the production designer’s vision into reality, managing the practical aspects of set creation and decoration.
Costume and Makeup Jobs
Costume and makeup departments are vital to character development. These professionals can turn actors into completely different people. Costume Designers work with directors and production designers to build visual identities through clothing. Makeup artists add the finishing touches that bring characters to life.
The best costume and makeup professionals shine at creative vision and practical execution. They understand historical periods, character psychology, and technical requirements of different filming conditions. The hair and makeup department has specialists in prosthetics, special effects, and period-specific styling. The wardrobe supervisor manages the day-to-day operations of the costume department, ensuring that all actors are properly dressed for each scene.
Production Design Careers
The Production Designer stands at the top of creative department positions. They shape the overall visual concept of a film, from sets and costumes to props and color schemes. These talented artists can turn simple scripts into complete worlds – recreating historical periods or building futuristic landscapes.
Production designers come from backgrounds in architecture, theater design, and fine arts. They blend artistic vision with practical management skills beautifully. Their job requires coordination with multiple departments while keeping the director’s creative vision intact.
Most production designers start with entry-level art department positions. Talented individuals often move up from set dressers to art directors, and finally to production designers. Success comes from developing both creative abilities and management skills.
Creative departments thrive on their mix of artistic vision and technical expertise. These roles need creativity and practical problem-solving skills to design sets, create costumes, or manage visual style. The film industry keeps evolving, giving creative professionals new chances to leave their mark on the silver screen.
More Filmmaking Articles
Freelance & Remote Work
The film industry looks completely different today than it did in the past, even just a few years ago. Remote work and freelance opportunities have become increasingly available.
Remote Film Industry Jobs
The digital revolution has opened up many remote positions in the film industry. Production companies now hire remote workers for everything from video editing to marketing. Recent data shows remote film industry positions pay well, with video content creators earning between $10-$40 per hour and well beyond that once you’re more established.
Popular remote film positions include:
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Video content creation and editing
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Motion graphics design
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Script coordination
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Marketing and promotional content
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Post-production supervision
These remote opportunities have made it easier for aspiring filmmakers to find film crew jobs without necessarily being in a major production hub. Though, it greatly depends on what positions you’re looking for.
Freelance Opportunities
Life as a freelance filmmaker gives you creative freedom, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Most freelancers handle every aspect of production from start to finish. They create films on their own or take on contract work with specific clients.
Freelance film work pays differently based on your role. This is a big deal as it means that cinematographers who own their equipment can make even more, with day rates starting at $2,000+. Just to continue to reiterate, it all depends on the production and your personal experience as well.
Breaking Into the Film Industry
Breaking into the film industry needs a smart game plan and dedication. Let me share some proven ways to establish yourself in this competitive field.
Industry Networking Tips
Networking in the film industry is as much of an art as filmmaking itself. Success comes from using various tools and grabbing the right opportunities. Here are networking strategies that work:
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Attend local film events and festivals
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Join professional organizations and guilds
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Volunteer on film productions
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Participate in industry workshops
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Maintain an active social media presence
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Follow up with meaningful connections
The sort of thing I love about networking is that it’s not about dominating conversations. You need to say just enough to be memorable and listen actively. Listening is equally important as talking when you build industry relationships.
Portfolio Development
A compelling showreel makes all the difference – I’ve seen this firsthand after reviewing countless portfolios. Your portfolio website should have your demo reel and work samples. The quickest way to make an impact is to keep your demo reel between 60 to 90 seconds long.
Your portfolio should demonstrate:
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Element |
Purpose |
|---|---|
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Best Work Samples |
Showcase technical skills |
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Client Projects |
Demonstrate professional experience |
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Personal Projects |
Display creative vision |
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Behind-the-scenes |
Show production knowledge |
Job Search Strategies
Finding film production jobs needs multiple approaches. You need to connect with “insiders” and prove you belong. I’ve watched many careers take off through smart job searching.
Keep your business card, resume, and work links ready when applying for positions. Production hubs like Los Angeles or New York offer the most opportunities. Building film connections takes time and consistent effort.
Volunteering at special film screenings and film festivals puts you right where the action is. You get to mingle with people who can boost your film career. Online platforms like Stage 32, Mandy, or FilmLocal (hey that’s us!) can substantially expand your professional network.
Successful industry newcomers use multiple strategies with patience and persistence. They know meaningful connections take time to build and don’t let initial rejections discourage them. Each relationship you build gives you a chance to prove your worth.
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Ready to Get Into the Industry?
You never know where the industry will take you. You could start as a Production Assistant making less than $31,000 or target specialized roles that pay $120,000+ and beyond. The film industry gives exceptional opportunities to people who adapt, learn, and work hard.
Film careers go way beyond acting and directing. Technical roles like VFX artists and sound designers are the foundations of modern productions. Creative positions in art departments bring stories to life visually. Remote work and freelance opportunities have made film careers more available than ever before. There really is something for everyone in this industry!
Your journey to success needs practical experience, networking, and ongoing skill development. You should build your portfolio, go to industry events, and keep up with new technologies. Our job board has hundreds of new positions every day – take a look!
While you’re at it, you should check out more of FilmLocal! We have plenty of resources, and cast and crew. Not to mention a ton more useful articles. Create your FilmLocal account today and give your career the boost it deserves!