Jobs behind the scenes in movies

Director of photography

Directors are responsible for managing and bringing all components of the creative process together. They are the most popular of all film industry occupations and are critical to the completion of any film.

This includes financial management, having meetings with various departments throughout the planning, execution, and post-production phases of filmmaking, and presenting your vision for the film succinctly and effectively.

Strong communication skills, a fair but firm attitude to issuing commands, outstanding time management, and the capacity to handle problems under pressure are required.

While a degree in film production will give you a better grasp of what it takes to make a film, practical experience will help you create a network of connections in the industry and expand your filmmaking talents.

Photographic director

The director of photography, also known as a cinematographer, will collaborate with the film director to create sequences that reflect their views. On a film set, they supervise the camera and lighting teams, make aesthetic and technical choices, and analyze footage in post-production.

You'll need a thorough understanding of camera and lighting technology, as well as what will and will not work for certain productions, as well as an outstanding eye for detail, the ability to make reasoned judgments fast, and the ability to both offer and receive direction. You'll be in charge of film crews, but if the director has particular ideas, you may have very little say over how a sequence is filmed.

To rise to this advanced position, you'll most likely begin in a subordinate capacity, such as runner or camera assistant, where you'll obtain the knowledge required to lead others.

Producer of films

You'll be in charge of a film's creative process from start to finish, collaborating with the director to make artistic and technical choices on shooting, budgeting, and post-production.

To guarantee the seamless operation of production, a good head for numbers, great leadership abilities, and the capacity to make reasoned judgments under pressure are required.

To get to this high position as a film producer, you must have true enthusiasm and originality, as well as professional experience and networking at every chance. To get your foot in the door, you may need to start as a junior employee, such as a runner or program researcher.

The film editor

A film editor will frequently work closely with the director to ensure their work is in keeping with the director's ideas for the picture while working with raw material in post-production to produce an end result that is ready for distribution.

It's not an easy feat; important, 'invisible' qualities of cinema, such as humorous timing, rhythm, and tension, are frequently what lift a movie from decent to great quality, and are the consequence of precise, flawless editing. This might include rearranging scenes or eliminating some entirely.

Successful editors pay great attention to detail, have a creative flare and a love of cinema, and have the patience and self-motivation to experiment with editing.

To become a film editor, you must first have extensive experience working in television and on smaller movies before moving on to editing feature-length films. You may start as a runner, trainee, or second assistant and work your way up to first assistant before becoming an editor in your own right.

Technician of lighting

Good lighting is essential in establishing the perfect mood in any film. A lighting specialist contributes to the production process via technical expertise, physical strength for carrying large lighting equipment, and artistic flair.

Many lighting technicians in the film business are already trained electricians, while others may have a specific degree in a related field such as lighting technology or design.

Pre-entry experience into this career is vital, whether it's by working as a technician, assisting on student film projects while studying, or gaining work experience with a professional.

Runner

If you're wondering how to enter into the film business, you'll discover that, although the runner is the most junior job in any film production department, it's often the entrance point.

A runner's role is to do administrative activities and help in the smooth operation of film production. Setting up sites for a shoot, hiring props, and moving equipment are all jobs that will be assigned to you by the director, actors, and other members of the film team.

Because this is a diverse and time-consuming position, you must be resilient, energetic, and hardworking.

Many runners are employed because they are in the right place at the right time or because of their relationships rather than because of their skills, and they may stay in the post for a year or more before moving on to deeper positions.

Manager of a location

A location manager is in charge of investigating, finding, and arranging access to filming locations. It's a difficult position in which you'll need to manage both actors and crew to guarantee that your schedule and budget limits are met.

Location managers are highly-organized, problem solvers, and perform well under pressure.

While a degree in a certain topic is not required, those in media or production will offer you an edge. You might also consider taking a course approved by ScreenSkills, the industry's skills authority.

Sound engineer

A sound technician's duty is to run the equipment required to capture, mix, and enhance a film's audio. You might work on set, negotiating with producers to satisfy their sound needs and overseeing the recording process, or in post-production, integrating audio with visual information and creating and modifying sound effects.

Many film projects need a team of sound technicians to function well, therefore you must be an outstanding communicator and team player. You'll also need patience to deal with the role's strict attention to detail and time constraints.

A degree is not required to work as a sound technician in movies. However, since you'll require a thorough grasp of the role's intricacies, equipment, and methods, studying for a related HND or degree would be advantageous.

Programme investigator

As a programme researcher on a film, you will assist the producers, director, and writers by doing factual and visual research to verify that what is depicted in the film is true.

In addition to doing research on the internet, cinema archives, and museum collections, you will be responsible for obtaining copyright permission for the use of music and literary content in the production.

This field of employment is available to all graduates, albeit a degree in a related discipline is preferred. Depending on the genre of the film, you may be expected to have specialized expertise.

Make-up and hair stylists

Hair stylists and make-up artists guarantee that the performers in a film seem true to the time period in which the film is set, geographical region, and age of the role they're portraying.

This position requires a great eye for detail as well as a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the hair and make-up business and its history.

You must have at least a Level 2 qualification in media make-up and a Level 2 or 3 qualification in hairdressing. You'll also benefit from whatever job experience you can get, even if it's in a salon or a theater rather than on a movie set.