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Film Degrees
Are you passionate about film and cinema, and want to pursue your interest with a film degree? You could unleash your creativity, develop your own unique style, and build your technical skills and knowledge in production techniques with a film degree, ready for opportunities for careers in the ever-changing media industry.
Read on for information on film degree course types, specializations, film jobs and key skills.
Key Skills
Common skills gained from film courses include:
- Technical skills in filmmaking and related software
- Ability to work to a set brief
- Storytelling skills
- Ability to tailor work to different audiences/genres
- Team-working skills
- Being able to work well independently and using initiative
- Being inventive, creative and entrepreneurial
- Developing new ideas and seeing them through to completion
- Analytical skills
- Research skills
- Contextual awareness
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Communication skills
- Being able to evaluate and reflect on your work
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Offered as Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) programs, undergraduate film degrees may focus one or both strands of the subject, with many film schools combining both:
- Technical aspects of filmmaking – Focusing on good camera use, editing techniques, lighting, sound, production design and directing.
- Film history and theory – Giving context and meaning to film by analyzing historical and socio-cultural backgrounds, as well as using critical approaches such as feminism, realism and philosophy, and exploring how different genres developed over time.
If your film degree includes technical education in filmmaking, you’ll make mini films using high-quality camera, lighting and editing equipment, developing your practical skills and gaining more independence as the course goes on. Depending on your course, you could be taught using traditional classroom instruction, hands-on workshops or seminars. Your university may also be able to take advantage of proximity to nearby media centers, studios, cinemas or theaters – for example, Los Angeles Film School is ideally located in Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood.
You’ll likely be assessed using a mix of projects or portfolios, though more theory-based film courses will include more essays. You could also be assessed through practical group work, with very few modules assessed using exams. Your film degree will culminate in a practical and/or theoretical project, such as a dissertation or graduate film production project, in which you’ll bring together what you’ve learned, presenting a contextual reflection of your work and demonstrating your knowledge of industry-standard production techniques, cinematography skills and industry/marketing awareness. Depending on your university, you might collaborate with students in other creative subjects (such as design) for your final project.
Optional modules typically include popular film genres, film aesthetics, cinema history, close ups on film and television, production skills, screenwriting/creative writing, film criticism, storytelling and analysis, cinematography and cinema in alternative cultures/countries.
Some film schools may also offer you the opportunity to take part in a placement in the creative industry or participate in guest talks from filmmakers, which will allow you to learn more about how the film industry works.
Entry requirements
At most film schools, you will normally not be required to have any specific filmmaking qualifications or experience, but should demonstrate your passion for the subject and desire to learn with your personal statement/statement of purpose. However, some universities may ask for a portfolio or showreel of previous work. You may also be required to have studied an essay-based humanities subject, such as history or literature.
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There are a range of specialized film courses you could choose from, enabling you to tailor your degree to your interests. Common options include:
Film animation
In this specialization, you’ll build your skills in creating short animated films through both traditional and digital techniques. With the latter, you’ll gain skills in a variety of programs such as After Effects, Photoshop, Final Cut and Flash. You’ll complete coursework in topics such as computer animation, production processes, scriptwriting for animation, 2D and 3D design, foundation drawing and 3D modeling animation. You’ll also gain skills in editing, cinematography, sound, concept art and compositing, leading to opportunities for animation film jobs in the entertainment industry.
Film production
In this option, you’ll develop your skills as a filmmaker, gaining a thorough understanding of operating cameras, ensuring the best use of sound and lighting, and getting to grips with technical equipment and computer software. You’ll also gain knowledge and experience in screenwriting, digital editing, animation, cinematography and production planning, as well as learning about the theoretical contexts behind films.
Cinematography
If you choose to specialize in cinematography within your film degree, you’ll gain a collective knowledge of film history with modern cinematic components, learning how to use industry tools and techniques to convey emotions to the viewing audience. You’ll study topics such as foundations in film, technology in cinematography, business and film, visual art, and post-production for cinematographers.
Mass communication
Ideal for film students with an interest in becoming a producer, scriptwriter or critic, this option is based more around news than creative storytelling. You’ll gain a wide understanding of the film industry and develop skills in analyzing the content, context and structure of films, as well as how to write for media forms such as newspapers, magazines and the web. You’ll combine theoretical learning with the practical filmmaking skills you’d find in a film production specialization.
Other possible specializations within film courses include visual effects and post production, directing, producing, documentary filmmaking, digital editing and music video producing.
Find out how studying film will alter your perspective
On graduation from your film degree, you’ll possess a strong combination of theoretical and practical skills, ideal for a variety of jobs within the creative industries. However, careers in the film industry are very competitive, so you’ll need to be resilient and determined.
It’s essential to have work experience, which can help you apply what you’ve learned during your degree, decide on a career direction, and enable you to gain contacts in the industry. To find work experience, you could try contacting independent filmmakers, major and independent production companies and local media outlets.
It’s also crucial to develop a strong portfolio or showreel to demonstrate your talent to prospective employers, which you could build up by taking part in amateur film competitions and festivals. You might also wish to take up an entry-level role such as a production assistant or runner, which can help you get your foot in the door.
Pursuing a specialized postgraduate degree is another way to enhance your skills, experience and connections.
Once you’ve built up sufficient experience, you could pursue the following film jobs:
Producer
As a producer you’ll oversee all aspects of a film or television program’s production, from conception to completion, and might also be involved with the marketing and distribution process. Often the first person involved in a project, producers work closely with the director and other crew members to ensure the production is running smoothly and on schedule. You’ll also be responsible for raising funds for the project and sticking to this budget. You’ll need a strong financial business sense for this role, as well as experience in the film industry and personal qualities such as the ability to work well under pressure and motivate others.
Camera operator
Camera operators combine their use of complex technical equipment with creative visual skills to get the shots required by the director (or director of photography). You might work in a studio to a set script, at outside broadcasts such as sport or music events, or on location. You’ll need commitment, patience and stamina for this role, which can be quite physically demanding. Industry experience is crucial, and you’ll probably start off as a camera assistant and work your way up to this role.
Film editor
Film/video editors work closely with directors, using creative and digital technology skills to edit recorded footage into the final product, ready for screening. You’ll probably work on a freelance, short-term basis and may work long, unsocial hours. Your work forms a key role in the post-production process, ensuring stories flow smoothly and selecting the best takes to create scenes. You might also be involved in choosing and selecting music and supervising audio mixing.
Program researcher
Program researchers provide support to the producer and production team on the set of a television, film, video or radio show, carrying out research-related tasks and contributing creative ideas and industry knowledge. Depending on your employer, you could work in picture research (investigating archives); factual research to help production designers ensure sets are as authentic and believable as possible; or other production-related tasks such as sourcing contacts and contributors, booking resources and facilities, and providing administrative support.
Read our complete guide to finding a job after university
Key Skills
Common skills gained from film courses include:
- Technical skills in filmmaking and related software
- Ability to work to a set brief
- Storytelling skills
- Ability to tailor work to different audiences/genres
- Team-working skills
- Being able to work well independently and using initiative
- Being inventive, creative and entrepreneurial
- Developing new ideas and seeing them through to completion
- Analytical skills
- Research skills
- Contextual awareness
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Communication skills
- Being able to evaluate and reflect on your work
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