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how do you start out in the film industry?! **in desperate need of advice**

FIRST THINGS FIRST....

1. sadly i know it is difficult to get into but that is just fueling my determination even more
2. even though i am doing academic a levels i don't particularly want to go into something of the sort as a career. I think it is because I have spent so much time studying history and culture i feel like i could take this knowledge and put it into film work (once i have worked by way up that is).
3. I understand that it is about experience and connections however i am not too sure how to get these connections

okay here goes: Hello, My name is Liz and I am an A Level student in year 12 currently wanting to go into film/cinematography/photography as a career (hopefully). I chose quite academic subjects as I also enjoy them, however, would not go into them in the future as I have always wanted a more creative job. I love learning about history but i cannot see myself doing anything but something practical and creative such as photography or filmmaking. The 3 subjects I am carrying on next year are French, Philosophy+ethics and history. I do photography and filmmaking in my own time which I also enjoy and get more out of as I can take my time and go into more depth than if i were to do it at school where the majority of the work would probably be "evaluate your work blah blah blah". In my opinion, filmmaking is more than evaluating and more about expression and the impact of what you are portraying on screen and connecting with the audience. I have been researching about university however I am not too sure if it is for me...Spending 3 whole years on a film/photography degree, learning things I already know/could learn online? Doesn't sound that appealing to me. Spending so much money on a degree that would not benefit me in the film production world as it is known that only 2% of film graduates get employment, as most film companies want people with experience. In those 3 years I could be getting experience and making connections! The thing is i am not too sure how you make connections?! If anyone knows anyone that works in the film industry, how did they start off? University seems good if you want to go into teaching or medicine but film is a totally different pathway. Does anyone have any advice on what to do if you want to go into film/photography but don't feel the need for a degree? Any advice on how to gain experience? The film industry seems very daunting and scary when you look at the hierachy of workers that are involved however I am passionate and willing to take the risk as I love creating and sharing new ideas. I live in a small town but I would love to move to London once i finish school(it's very expensive but i will figure it out). Anyway thank you for taking the time to listen to me natter on about myself you must be pretty bored by now :smile: Have a fabulous week/day/life :biggrin:
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by pixel.joy
FIRST THINGS FIRST....
1. YES before you ask I have researched A LOT and i want to work in the film industry but it all says the same thing, but never HOW to actually get into film (and i know it is not a simple thing to get into)
2. I KNOW it is difficult to get into but that is just fueling my determination even more
3. even though i am doing academic a levels i DO NOT want to go into something academic or teaching when I am older
4. Before you type "its about connections and portfolio" i know i know but my main question is, how on earth do you start a film journey? Even starting out as a runner, how on earth do you start doing that?

okay here goes: Hello, I am an A Level student in year 12 currently wanting to go into film/cinematography/photography when I am older. I chose quite academic subjects as I also enjoy them, however, would not go into them in the future as I have always wanted a more creative job. The 3 subjects I am carrying on next year are French, Philosophy+ethics and history. I do photography and filmmaking in my own time which I also enjoy and get more out of as I can take my time and go into more depth than if i were to do it at school where the majority of the work would probably be "evaluate your work blah blah blah". I have been researching about university however I am not too sure if it is for me...Spending 3 whole years on a film/photography course learning things I already know/could learn online? Doesn't sound that appealing to me. Spending so much money on a degree that would not benefit me in the film production world as it is known that only 2% of film graduates get employment as most film companies want people with experience!!!. In those 3 years I could be getting experience and making connections! The thing is how on earth do you make connections?! If anyone knows anyone that works in the film industry, how did they start off? University seems good if you want to go into teaching but film is a totally different story. Does anyone have any advice on what to do if you want to go into film/photography but don't feel the need for a degree? Any advice on how to gain experience? I live in a small town but I would love to move to London (i know i know it's expensive asf but i will figure it out). Anyway thank you for taking the time to listen to me natter on about myself you must be pretty bored by now :smile: Have a fabulous week/day/life :biggrin:


A good film production degree won’t teach you what you can learn online. It will give you practical experience in all aspects of filmmaking (including a showreel) and if you’re good then it’ll give you an introduction to industry (through film festival entry). You need to look for degrees accredited by Creative Skillset and ideally at a cilect member film school (the number of graduates going into film careers is a lot higher than 2% for these courses eg for AUB over 80% of graduates were working in film or tv roles 6 months after finishing the course) http://www.cilect.org/profiles/members/235/4#.WomvEGKnzYW
Edit: however entry onto those degrees is far from easy. Particularly if you don’t have a practical film qualification. You might well be directed towards an art foundation diploma with a film specialism to prepare you. Particularly if you apply with the sort of attitude you display in your post showing that you think you know everything already and they would have little to teach you.

There’s other ways to get similar experience without going to university but they’re more difficult in many cases. Creative skillset and BFI are good places to look for opportunities. You might also want to apply for an Arts emergency mentor (if you’re eligible).
(edited 6 years ago)
hi, just watch films, make films and build up a portfolio. Work for free/volunteer on film sets. Degrees don’t teach you anything, experience is absolutely key to be being successful. The film industry is ruthless.

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