Career in Film Production

Films are used to record moving images. Film cameras allow directors more creative scope than video cameras and many television commercials are produced on film.
The glamour of actor; director; and producer jobs attracts a large number of people to films. This supply of potential workers, coupled with the lack of formal entry requirements, will continue to produce keen competition for these jobs. Only the most talented will find regular employment .
Films are an important medium not only of entertainment and information but also of communication. There are three major categories of films : feature films; documentaries; and advertising shorts and television commercials. Film production techniques and methods are, essentially, the same whether the film is for television showing or for cinema.
The film and video industries provide work for actors, designers, hairdressers, make-up artists, set designers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, and a host of technical, etc., support personnel.

Nature of Work

There are four careers in film production which are of significance. They are : film direction, cinematography or motion picture photography; sound recording/sound engineering and film editing.
Film directors are responsible for the shape or treatment of the film. They may decide on the cast of the film and their work has to be within the budget of the producer. They work out the sequence of the story/episode in their mind much ahead of the commencement of shooting. Their own concepts must be very clear for they have to guide the artists as well as the technicians. Sometimes they are called upon to demonstrate to actors/actresses exactly what they want to shoot and how it has to be conveyed. To the technical experts they should be able to give the right instructions to obtain the desired results. Film directors, therefore, have to be knowledgeable about every aspect of film production and also about how to attract the viewers’ attention. The work is a blend of creativity and technicality.
Cinematographers are responsible for motion picture photographs. Their work is mainly technical but they have also to use some imagination in filming a shot. Before shooting starts, the director has usually explained the impact he/she expects and the cinematographer has to use his/her skill, technique and imagination to capture the desired effect. The cinematographer and director may work out the detail such as angles, light and speed before shooting.
Sound recording / sound engineering is a technical job that has to be tackled with expertise in keeping with the mood/theme of the film.
Film editors work in the editing room, assembling and cutting the finished film. Editors put the shots together; they are responsible for dubbing (adding sound to the picture) and creating the finished product ready for the audience to view. A film editor blends a lot of creativity and technical skill. The editor’s work is to carry forward the director’s intentions to a meaningful conclusion.

Work Environment

Since most of the jobs involve long, unsocial hours you should be able to prove cent per cent commitment. You should be able to perform well even under pressure since the work often has to be done to a deadline.
All aspects of film production combine to create the whole film and there is constant interaction among the director, cinematographer and sound recordist / sound engineer. The editor has to ‘wind up the show’. While the director and editor have to be highly creative, the cinematographers and sound engineers have to be technically skilled.
A lot flexibility is possible even within the constraints of time (studio bookings) and location (administrative permission), which provides scope for those working in this highly creative profession.

Specialisations

Film production is all about each one working in a specialised area and at the same time beinig able to coordinate with each other to produce a wonderful and complete piece of work.
Actors [Refer Chapter Acting], directors, producers, editors, cinematographers have been discussed under Nature of Work. Besides, there are laboratory technicians, costume/wardrobe department staff, engineers, artists, designers, IT specialists and so on.
Choreographers create and arrange dance sequences. Set designers handle more complex design and structural work needed for television, film/theatre. Costume designers are in charge of hiring, designing, and adapting up-to-date and period costumes. Make-up artists/hairdressers are needed for film and television work and are usually trained in cosmetology.

Physical and Psychological Requirements

Visual imagination; creative ability; a knack of getting the right effect; wide range of interests to appreciate different types of subject matter; ability to work well as one of a team; technical ability; ability to work well under pressure; and knack of getting work done by teammates, technicians and artists are the right combinations of skills and attitudes for work in films.
One must pay attention to detail, have patience, good powers of concentration and an interest in colour and design. An even-tempered, logically and visually imaginative approach is necessary.
It is important to keep in touch with what is happening in the industry, and to be able to create a network of friends and contacts.

Study/Training

There are specialised courses for all aspects of filmmaking. The various renowned institutes where such training is available are fully equipped with all types of equipment and students are exposed to the latest techniques of film production.
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Pune a premier training institute of national repute. The FTII provides intensive practical and theoretical training in all aspects of film production. It has modern sound recording equipment, editing machines, movie cameras and all the latest technology. There are studios, projection theatres, a film processing laboratory, a film library and everything else necessary to proide the most up-to-date training.
There are a few more government-run institutions while there are any number of other institutes imparting short-term training for various aspects of film production. Graduation is, by and large, standard educational qualification required for training in recognized training institutes, but in private institutes, undergraduates may also be considered.
The other line of training for film production is to join as an apprentice/assistant/trainee and learn the ropes by ‘doing’. Getting a foothold in the industry is assured neither through training in reputed institutions/elsewhere or on-the-job. That is where grit, determination, persistence and a thick skin can make a difference.

Employment Prospects

There is a lot of scope for employment in the field of filmmaking in the country. Location in the filmmaking centres is a major factor affecting placement prospects. The proliferation of the electronic media and the boom in the advertising industry have created myriad openings in filmmaking. The competition for the jobs, however, is keen and those with flair and the right connections continue to get many opportunities to prove themselves time and again. Once a person has been able to prove himself/herself there is no limit to the amount he/she can earn.
Salaries are too varied to give an appropriate indication. Most people negotiate their own salary. In skill-shortage areas, they can be very well paid.

Career Progression

As actors’, directors’, and producers’ reputations grow, they are able to work on larger, more prestigious productions. The length of their working life depends largely on training, skill, versatility, and perseverance. Some actors, directors, and producers continue working throughout their lives; however; many leave the occupation after a short time because they cannot find enough work to make a living.
There are many who advance to setting up their own establishments or associate with them and continue to impart inspiration and direction to another generation of filmmakers.