Career advice

I'm in year 13 and about to do a gap year before university. I liked biology and art at a level but recently I've been getting into film/cinematography, I like the idea of documentary style content as a mix of the two. I'm not quite sure how to go down this route as the most I've done is make a couple videos and I don't have any further qualifications. I also want to explore in the area on what I'd enjoy most but don't quite know where to begin or what learning resources are available. Any advice?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by helloyesilizzie

There's no industry recognised course for film or cinematography as far as I know i.e. there's no course that employers will jump up and say you're compliant with all necessary regulations and you can do the work without us babysitting you (because it's not a regulated industry).
Having said that, it's probably a good idea to do a short and affordable course (not a degree) in film and cinematography to get an idea in the area. There are usually some good ones for a few hundred to a thousand pounds. You can typically google for the reviews on the best courses in the subject relatively easily (I have done one course in a similar subject, so I am not the best person to recommend stuff for this sort of thing).

I think the other thing you can do during your gap year is try to network and get an assistant job in film (very likely somewhere near London). This would give you a good idea of whether it's something you like to do.
The jobs in film tend to require no qualifications, but they will require skills and ideally a portfolio to show off (even if it's something as simple as something you filmed using your iPhone). Chris Nolan for example famously did a couple of 8 minute films as student projects that kind of helped him later getting into the film industry.
If not, I would try to intern with a freelancing videographer; they tend to have creative projects that involve documentaries or films. The network of videographers that tend to experiment a lot with films in London, and they tend to be close knit so once you have found one, the others tend to be easily to find.

I also am not sure why you mentioned Biology and Art when your question is about film. Are you having second thoughts about your career choice and going to uni?