All of us have seen Films and TV shows in our life; some we’ve liked, some we’ve hated. Many of us might even dream of joining the Film and TV Industry as a professional Actor, Director etc. But what is it really like to work as a professional in this industry? Find out below.
What are the jobs really about?
Script to Final Film or TV Program
All jobs in the Film and TV Industry revolve around contributing towards one or the other aspect of filmmaking that will help transform a concept or a script into a finished film or program, fit for display. You can be working as an Actor, or as a professional in different departments such as Direction, Production, Editing, Cinematography, Scriptwriting, VFX, Costume, Art Direction, Make Up, and Music etc.
As a professional in this industry, you will generally start off in entry – level positions in the department you wish to join (Direction, Editing or Cinematography etc.) and then move up the ladder as you gain experience and build contacts. Needless to say, the higher up the ladder you reach, the more creative independence and authority you will have.
Why do people work in the Film and TV Industry?
Glamour
The glamour involved in the Film and TV Industry serves as one of the biggest motivating factors behind people choosing to work in this industry. You get to work and interact with famous Actors and Directors, as well as work on big – budget projects that are seen and followed by thousands of people. Additionally, there is always a possibility of you becoming famous yourself, which adds to the glamour quotient.
Creativity
Another big reason behind people choosing to work in the Film and TV Industry is that it allows and even encourages professionals to use their creativity and artistic talent to create quality content. People who are not comfortable in performing routine tasks on a daily basis and want to explore their creative side are attracted towards a career in this industry.
Find out about the Top 7 Creative Careers.
Money
Even though the salaries for entry – level positions in this industry can be lower than what you can earn in most other industries, the kind of monetary growth potential that this career offers is unparalleled. If you become successful, you can earn in 3 years what most people would earn in their lifetime. However, it is important to keep in mind that only a select few become successful in this industry and reap the financial rewards of success, whereas most others settle for low – paying jobs or quit the field and move on to other careers.
Find out about the Top 7 Money Making Careers.
Low Entry – Level Qualifications
Another motivating factor behind people choosing to work in the Film and TV Industry is that you generally do not require any educational qualifications to enter the industry. You start off in entry – level positions and learn on the job. As a professional in this industry, you will not be asked to show your educational degree or marks, even though a degree or diploma in Filmmaking can be of some use. This serves as a motivating factor for people to join this industry, especially for people who are not interested in academics.
Find out about the Top 7 Careers That Require Little Education.
What is it like to work in the Film and TV Industry?
Irregular Schedules, Long Hours
Working in the Film and TV Industry means you have no fixed working schedule; one day you might have to report to work at 6 in the morning, the next day you might have to report to work at 2 in the afternoon. Additionally, professionals in this industry work for very long hours at a stretch; it is not uncommon to see shoots going on for more than 12 hours a day on a daily basis.
Most people who work in this industry do not find time for other activities while working on a project. Professionals who succeed in this industry are the ones who prioritize their career over everything else and are willing to put in as many hours at work as required so as achieve the desired results.
Find out about the Top 7 Fixed Hours Jobs.
No Job Security
The Film and TV Industry is a project based industry and most people work on a project to project basis as Freelancers rather than being permanently employed by a production company. This means that professionals have to constantly be on the lookout for new projects after one ends. As compared to other industries which hire you for the long – term, the Film and TV Industry offers almost no job security and there is absolutely no guarantee that you will find a new project immediately after you complete one or not.
Find out about the Top 7 Careers for Freelancers.
Fast Paced, High Pressure
Working in the Film and TV Industry is not easy; there is innumerable things happening during a shoot at any particular given time and you need to always be alert. Additionally, there is a lot of money at stake with a limited amount of time at hand, which creates a high – pressure work environment. Professionals who succeed in this industry are the ones who can deal with the high pressure and fast pace of the industry, while keeping their cool in stressful situations and multitasking as and when required.
Competition, Rejection
There is a tremendous amount of competition for jobs at every level in the Film and TV Industry. The amount of people applying for jobs exceeds the amount of vacancies by a huge, huge margin. This often means that professionals have to always be on their toes and be performing as per their maximum potential so as to hold onto their jobs and progress in their career.
Additionally, due to the extra competition, professionals have to often face criticism and rejection during auditions and interviews. People who end up succeeding in this industry are the ones who never take a casual approach towards their work and who always react to criticism and rejection positively without letting it affect their confidence and self – belief.
Travel and Locations
As a professional working in this industry, you might often be required to travel for shoots and location scouts. Even though this might be an attractive proposition for people who like to travel, it is to be kept in mind that these locations are not always pleasant; you might have to work in a small village with no connectivity, or you might be required to work in the harsh summer sun or in the middle of peak – winter snow. Professionals who succeed in this industry are the ones who are comfortable with travelling for work and are willing to flexible about their comfort levels while shooting at difficult locations.
Networking
Working and surviving in the Film and TV Industry requires a lot of networking. As a professional in this industry, you will need to build contacts and develop strong relations with as many colleagues and seniors from the industry as possible, as that is how most people get new projects. Even though this seems like an easy task, in reality it is not, especially if you’re not a very outgoing person or if you find it difficult to socialize with people.
