What can I do with a degree in Film?

Find out where the range of skills you develop studying film can take you. Here we list potential careers and tell you how you can find a job in this sector.

Film careers

There are literally hundreds of different jobs in the UK film industry, each one requiring a unique combination of specialist skills. The film industry divides itself into five sectors:

  • Development – Starting with an idea, directors, producers and screenwriters develop a film and raise the money to make it happen.
  • Production management – Once funds are raised, the line producer, assistant director and locations manager do the detailed planning.
  • Craft department - The make-up, costume, props and set dec departments make sure the film looks right, construction builds the sets.
  • Technical department - Ready to film, the director of photography, lighting technicians and sound mixers capture the action.
  • Post Production – Once filming is done, editors, sound designers and colourists put it all together and make different versions
  • Sales and Distribution – Sales and distributions executives get the film onto screens, whether that be in cinemas, on TVs or phones
  • Exhibition – the cinemas which screen the film for the general public.

 The first decision that faces anyone wanting to work in film is actually: which department do I want to work in? Work out if this is the right industry for you and then you can explore the options. You can discover what these jobs entail from Screenskills film job profiles.

The jobs listed below are a selection of those which may interest Film students and graduates and offer the opportunity to use your degree directly.

Programme/ Media Researcher

A programme researcher provides support to the producer and production team.

Prospects job profile: Media researcher

Film Video Editor

As a film or video editor, you'll be responsible for assembling recorded raw material into a finished product that's suitable for broadcasting.

Prospects job profile: Film / video editor
Screenskills: Editor

Location Manager

Location managers are responsible for making all the practical arrangements for film, television or photographic shoots taking place outside the studio.

Prospects job profile: Location manager
Screenskills: Locations manager

Runner

A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company. They act as general assistants, working under the direction of the producer and other production staff, to undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process.

Prospects job profile: Runner
Screen skills: Floor runner

Television/film/video producer

Producers play an integral role in the television, film and video industries. A producer will oversee each project from conception to completion and may also be involved in the marketing and distribution processes.

Prospects job profile: Television / film / video producer

Screenskills: Producer

For additional career information:

I want to work in Drama and Theatre
I want to work in the Media

Please note that some of these careers may require further study.

Many in this sector will adopt a Portfolio approach to work which will allow them to pursue their career ambitions alongside undertaking additional paid work.

Other careers

A Film degree may be useful in the following career areas because the skills it develops are likely to be important to do these jobs

Arts Administrator

An arts administrator manages activities and services which support the arts sector, involving projects and initiatives provided by arts organisations.

Prospects job profile: Arts administrator
Target jobs: Arts administrator

University Lecturer

As well as teaching through lectures and seminars, academic staff in higher education also carry out research and a wide range of administrative and pastoral tasks. Although a teaching qualification is not required, you will need a higher degree, normally a PhD. Competition is strong for entry-level academic posts.
Prospects job profile: Higher education lecturer
Target job profile: Higher education lecturer
I Want to Work in: A University

Media Planner

Media planners identify which media platforms would best advertise a client's brand or product. They work within advertising agencies or media planning and buying agencies. They enable their clients to maximise the impact of their advertising campaigns through the use of a range of media. 

Prospects job profile:  Media planner
Target Jobs: Media planner

I want to work in the Media

 You may be interested in graduate roles outside of Film. There are many employers who are looking for graduates with good degrees but that don’t have a preference for the subject studied. To explore different career options see:

Skills gained

Generic skills

Gradates demonstrate the ability to:

  • Work in flexible, creative and independent ways, showing self-discipline awareness of relevant ethical considerations, self-direction and reflexivity.
  • Collate, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently, and express them effectively in written, oral or other forms.
  • Retrieve and generate information, and evaluate sources, in carrying out independent research.
  • Organise and manage supervised, self-directed projects.
  • Communicate effectively in interpersonal settings, in writing and in a variety of media.
  • Work productively in a group or team, showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute and also to lead effectively.
  • Deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and making use, as appropriate, of a problem-solving approach.
  • Apply entrepreneurial skills if and where appropriate in dealing with audiences, clients, consumers, markets, sources and/or users.
  • Use a variety of computer-based skills ranging from basic competences such as data analysis to web-based technology and digital multimedia.
  • Develop, as appropriate, specific proficiencies in using a range of current and emergent media technologies.
  • Research and identify possible employment destinations.

Source: QAA Subject benchmark statements. Access for further information on subject specific skills.

 This is not an exhaustive list of skills - you will develop many skills from your course, extra-curricular activities and work experience. 

Find a job

The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes a vacancy database advertising a range of graduate jobs, sandwich placements and vacation work/internships.

The websites below may be useful in job searching and for providing further information on careers and employers related to Film

Useful Websites

  • Prospects: Media and Internet job profiles. Also Prospects What can I do with my degree in Film studies and Film production pages.
  • The Film Network:  
  • Screen skills:  industry-led skills body for the screen industries – film, television (including children's, unscripted and high-end), VFX (visual effects), animation and games.
  • Discover! Creative Careers: Careers information and opportunities from creative organisations in one explorable directory.
  • Get Into Theatre: Website to help you find all the information and opportunities you need to pursue a successful career in theatre in the UK.
  • Film News
  • My First Job in Film: Careers resources
  • Bafta Guru – a hub for career advice from industry professionals
  • BBC careers: Includes information on trainee schemes and apprenticeships
  • British Film Institute: Includes a link to UK’s most prominent regional film organisations and also information on Funding
  • Equity UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners

Institutes and Societies

Unions

Film Industry Information

Job Boards/Listing Sites

Directories

  • Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook  lists contact details of 41,000 companies and crew operating in the film, TV and media production industries worldwide.  Searchable by company name, town, country and product or service. Free to access: great resource for students looking for placements, internships or career opportunities in film and TV.
  • The Knowledge lists 15000 film-related companies
  • Mandy's International Film and TV Production Directory resource for professional service-providers in Film, TV and Multimedia, including listings for companies in these fields and job ads.
  • PACT fully searchable information about UK independent producers and digital members, including programmes produced, projects, and contact details, and brief company profiles.

Companies offering Internship Opportunities

  • BAFTA BAFTA typically announce a new batch of paid internships once or twice each year. Intern roles include production, events, communications and fundraising. These are usually based in London but occasionally take place in other major cities throughout the UK, including Manchester and Glasgow.
  • Channel 4 If you take all its trainee schemes, internships, workshops and other events into consideration, Channel 4 offer perhaps more entry level opportunities than any other organisation within the UK television industry. Channel 4, E4, Film4, More4 and 4Music digital TV channels, the 4 on-demand service and online content are all subject to their own distinct entry level opportunities. 
  • Endemol Founded in Holland in 1994, Endemol have gone on to take the world by storm with such internationally recognised franchises as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? They offer work experience placements on a rolling basis if the placement forms part of a formal education course. .
  • Red Bee Media Based in London and with offices in Glasgow, Red Bee Media is a media management company which includes the BBC, Channel 4, Nike and UKTV among its clients. They often play host to a wide range of entry level broadcast and multiplatform roles, frequently offering short term work experience placements and internship opportunities. Further up the ladder, they recruit Runners and Production Assistants on a very consistent basis and routinely invite applicants to submit details and availability to their various talent pools. Their careers page is updated often.
  • Working Title Films Working Title Films are responsible for blockbuster hits such as Les Misérables, Hot Fuzz and Fargo, among many others, and have won 10 Academy Awards. They run a paid training programme each year which serves as an introduction to the UK film industry.
  • Warner Bros Positions for Summer are posted in March/April, Positions for Fall are posted in August/September ,Positions for Spring are posted in December/January

Opportunities in Kent

Recruitment Agencies

UK Screen Agencies

Check which one is most relevant for your area:

Training Information

Funding

You may also find useful reviews and application/interview tips for specific organisations on the following websites:

Skills Gained

Generic skills

Gradates demonstrate the ability to:

  • Work in flexible, creative and independent ways, showing self-discipline awareness of relevant ethical considerations, self-direction and reflexivity.
  • Collate, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently, and express them effectively in written, oral or other forms.
  • Retrieve and generate information, and evaluate sources, in carrying out independent research.
  • Organise and manage supervised, self-directed projects.
  • Communicate effectively in interpersonal settings, in writing and in a variety of media.
  • Work productively in a group or team, showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute and also to lead effectively.
  • Deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and making use, as appropriate, of a problem-solving approach.
  • Apply entrepreneurial skills if and where appropriate in dealing with audiences, clients, consumers, markets, sources and/or users.
  • Use a variety of computer-based skills ranging from basic competences such as data analysis to web-based technology and digital multimedia.
  • Develop, as appropriate, specific proficiencies in using a range of current and emergent media technologies.
  • Research and identify possible employment destinations.

 Source: QAA Subject benchmark statements. Access for further information on subject specific skills.

This is not an exhaustive list of skills - you will develop many skills from your course, extra-curricular activities and work experience. 

Further Study

Postgraduate study may enable you to explore aspects of Film in greater depth or to study a new subject. You should consider why you want to do postgraduate study and whether it will affect your career prospects. The “Types of Jobs” section of the Prospects website will tell you whether postgraduate study is essential, useful or not needed for a specific career.

Last updated