If you dream of making it big as a movie magic-maker, the road often begins with an entry-level film set gig. Just ask Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, who went from production assistant to legendary director of films including “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” Or consider the journey of Ken Nightingall, who started as a pink shorts–clad boom operator before taking on an illustrious career as a sound engineer.
Most early career filmmakers start working in indies, student films, and modest independent productions before moving up to big-budget studio features. Which film industry trajectory and entry-level jobs are right for you depends on your background and passions.
Breaking into the film industry is largely a matter of getting your foot in the door—that’s where entry-level film production jobs come in. These jobs are a great way to gain on-set experience, grow your skill set, and meet the right people.
Professional film sets, and most independent projects as well, tend to have a structured hierarchy in place so it’s understood who reports to whom. This means that pursuing a career in any given crew specialty has a clear trajectory: apprenticeship or internship, low- and high-level assistant, and then department head. The entry-level positions listed here rank among the most popular areas of the film industry, but any aspect of production can provide experience at the apprentice or volunteer level; if you’re interested in professional costume or props design, for example, consider pursuing a costume or prop assistant gig.
1. Production Assistant (PA)
The most logical place to start in film production is as a PA; many accomplished film professionals have launched their careers by taking on the myriad responsibilities this role requires. PAs provide support at all stages of production and are essential particularly on big-budget projects, making them the unsung heroes of the moviemaking world. This role is sometimes called a “runner,” especially in the U.K.
In the preproduction stage, PAs assist with handling paperwork, making copies, and doing administrative work in studio offices. During shooting, they help move equipment, take and deliver food and coffee orders, and accompany talent around set; a PA with a valid driver’s license is an especially useful asset. Finally, there are postproduction assistants, active in any or all departments putting together a project. If you’re starting out with no on-set experience, PA gigs, while grueling, are an ideal way to familiarize yourself with many aspects of the page-to-screen process.
How to Become a Production Assistant2. Associate/Assistant Producer
Film producing jobs run the gamut from entry-level—self-funding independent projects or interning at production companies, for example—to the executive level, at major studios and feature films. To climb from the former to the latter, aspiring producers need to gain on-set experience and add to their résumés on a project-to-project basis. If a producorial track is of interest to you, consider becoming a line producer’s apprentice, assisting established film producers, or enrolling in internship programs at major studios or networks.
3. Apprentice/Assistant Editor
Video editing is in high demand—especially in today’s digital and social media age. While apprenticing or shadowing editors of professional film productions is a logical career path, skills in this field of postproduction can also be acquired in other mediums; consider freelancing as a video editor for YouTube and other content creators, for example. Becoming a video editor in the film and TV industry is all about learning the ropes on a technical level.
4. Camera Operator/Assistant
Start out as a PA specializing in assisting with camera equipment during professional shoots, and you could be on your way to a cinematography career. There to assist the director and director of photography with capturing shots in the viewfinder, camera operators are hardware wizzes, familiar with cameras, lenses, and all equipment needed to film. Similarly, first camera assistants are responsible for getting a shot and its subjects in focus.
5. Boom Operator/Sound Trainee
If working in sound is your passion, you could start out as a boom operator on set and/or a sound trainee in a project’s postproduction phase. Boom operators are there to ensure the boom microphone or “fishpole” remains close enough to the action to capture actors’ voices and any other important sounds. The top-level position in the sound department on big film sets is typically the sound mixer, who manages staffing and equipment to ultimately make a final project’s audio cohesive.
6. First/Second Assistant Director
Perhaps your ultimate goal as a film crew member is sitting in the director’s chair. As with most of these other areas of production, a director’s career path can be either working your way up on professional projects or creating your own films. There are apprenticeship and assistant tracks on big-budget movies: Consider the role of first AD, second AD, or, in some cases, second-second or third AD. Otherwise, pick up a camera and start practicing how to bring your own vision to life.
7. Screenwriter
Last but certainly not least, screenwriting is the most fundamental element of filmmaking. Writers’ assistants help film and TV writing rooms function. But screenwriting can also be an entry-level film job in the sense that anyone can put pen to paper, or begin typing dialogue, to generate their first draft. If you’re looking to make a living in the filmmaking industry, a well-written script could take you all the way there.
The film industry is a competitive market, which means there are more potential workers than available jobs. Even getting in at an entry-level film position takes hard work and focus, and then you have to continue to hustle and network your way up the production ranks. But it can be a rewarding career path for those passionate about filmmaking; if that’s you, put yourself out there and start working on a film set!
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