Film Connection Approach to a Career in Film
Let's face it, the whole reason you
are planning to go to film school is to get a job in the film industry,
right? (Of course, it you are a professional student, or just downright
weird, this may not apply.)
So, it's no coincidence that getting you a job in the film business is
exactly the criteria we used in designing our courses at Film
Connection film school. Now, no film school can promise
you a job upon graduation, but if you have the right attitude, passion
about the film business, have studied hard so you know the stuff we've
taught you, and kept touch with the contacts we and your mentor have
developed for you while you've been studying at the Film Connection,
you're odds have just gone way up.
It's a bit like dragging a horse to water: you can't make it take a
drink, but you sure can do everything else to make it possible.
With Film Connection film school, we give you the knowledge, the
experience, the connections and, perhaps more importantly, because our
courses are
delivered not by "professional
teachers" but by "real
filmmakers", we put you in the right
place at the right time to get a job in the film industry. The
rest is up to you. Here are just a few of the careers Film
Connection film school can prepare you for.
What Jobs Are Available in the Film Industry?
The following are some of the many positions available at production
studios, post production houses, television stations, film studios and
others around
the country. In our program you will be exposed to many, if not all, of
these positions.
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Producer
Includes:
Producer, Production Manager, Line-Producer,
Production Coordinator and Production Assistant. How does
making your own movies, television shows, documentaries or
commercials sound? That's what producers do. They are the heart of the
industry. In production you will be responsible for every facet of
planning the project and putting it together. During shooting the
director and actors will rely totally on you to manage the production
smoothly thereby allowing them to do their jobs to the best of their
ability without distraction. As an experienced production person your
skills will be in great demand.
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Director
Are
you the creative type? Is so this is the area for you.
These are the people who make the unreal real--who turn the pages of a
script into reality on the screen. In our program you will work closely
with the director and the assistant directors as they shape and mold
the projects through their own creative visions. You will also interact
on a regular basis with the actors and extras performing in the
production and, maybe, eventually direct your own major motion
pictures.
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Director Of
Photography/Cinematography
Often called an author of light, it is the photographer's
skill that turns the director's vision into an actual image, whether on
film or video. Working as a camera-person in our program you will be
exposed to all facets of this unique profession. You will learn the
intricate inner-workings of the cameras, how to light and compose the
camera shots and how to expose the film in such away that the resulting
image is pleasing to the viewer. Each production big or small requires
an entire team of camera personnel, making these skills very valuable
in the industry.
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Editing
One
of the most important positions in any film or video
project, the editor is responsible for taking the thousands of pieces
of film and sound and putting them together in an exact, precise and
often creative manner. In our program you work closely with seasoned
professionals and learn to operate the newest state-of-art digital
equipment. With these technical skills the door of opportunity will be
open for you in every area of the business including film studios,
commercial production houses, television stations, post production
houses and more.
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Casting
Director
The ability to deal well with people is important for
success
in the casting field. You'll be required to deal with famous stars on a
regular basis as well as choose actors and actresses from their
photographs, call them in and audition them. Then your job is to show
the best of the best to the producer and director for the final
decision making. This job will also teach you the inner workings of the
high-powered talent agencies as well as how to negotiate and finalize
the talent's contracts.
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Location Manager
 For this position you must enjoy traveling the world and
have
a keen eye for what will look good on the screen. You will discuss the
locations needed with the producer and director, then you go out and
find them. A mansion, an exotic beach, a mountain, the desert, whatever
it may be that the script calls for. It is your job to find the most
appealing locations that are the most logistically feasible for the
production and make the arrangements for the use of it.
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Newscaster
/ Reporter
Delivering
the news in an informative manner is very important
for success as a professional Televison news anchor. As a news person.
you will also be involved in on the spot news bulletins at the actual
scene. News is current and factual information that keeps the audience
aware of up to date situations as they arise. You will be a respected
prominent member of your community, attending civic and special
meetings where important issues are resolved. Most importantly you will
receive news before anyone else and become the primary source of
information for the entire community. Unlike a print journalist, a
televison newsperson must also be a performer. In addition to good
writing and news-gathering skills, the newsperson must also possess
announcing abilities and be capable of presenting the story on-the-air.
According to a recent survey, the qualities that most appeal to news
directors are enthusiasm, aggressiveness, energy, and inquisitiveness.
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Commerical Announcer / Voice
Over Artist
Potentially
one of the most lucrative broadcasting positions,
a commercial announcer/ voice over artist may work for one or more
stations, networks, clients or producers. Their delivery style needs to
be energetic, alive and convincing in order to sell the advertiser's
products or services. The regular 9 to 5 job is over if you become a
success as a professional commercial announcer. It can take as little
as an hour of your presence in the studio for you to do a voice over
for a commercial that may air many times on radio and TV stations
throughout the country. Announcers often receive residuals which means
you make money every time the commercial is broadcast.
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Sportscaster
/ Play-By-Play Announcer
Knowledge
of sports along with a conversational delivery style
is important for success as a sports anchor person. You'll be reporting
live from the dugouts and benches as the coaches and players develop
strategy that often determines the vital lose or win situation. You
will also highlight the more human side of famous professional athletes
when you do in-depth interviews as part of your televison sportscast,
and maybe eventually your own sports show! The smallest cities and
towns can provide opportunities for the aspiring sports announcer. In
fact these days high school football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and
hockey broadcasts often attract sizeable listening audiences for the
stations that carry them. In addition the vast amount of sports
coverage on networks like ESPN provides a tremendous source of
education for the aspiring sports announcer. All of that accumulated
sports knowledge can be put to use when applied toward a sportscasting
career.
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Copywriter
Your
job is to create the commercials which are heard and seen
on both radio and television. Your imagination can be the starting
point for an award winning and money making commercial. You're in
charge of writing scripts which communicate the client's message to the
public and promote his business. Successful copywriters often expand
their careers and advance to writing scripts for TV shows and movies.
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Gaffer
The
gaffer is the on-set lighting director--a very challenging
and creative position. Working in this area you first have to become
familiar with all the lights used on a shoot. Then you will learn how
to use the light--front-light, back-light, key-light--in many different
ways and, most importantly, how using it effects the particular image
to be photographed for each camera shot.
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Key Grip
If you are mechanically inclined then this is the area for
you. As a grip on the shooting set you will work with dollies to move
the camera during a shot, operate camera cranes, install mounts on cars
to hold the camera steady while driving and very often be called upon
to use a combination of your mechanical and creative skills to make a
camera shot work the way the director envisions it.
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Script
Supervisor
To succeed as a script supervisor requires a very sharp eye
for detail and continuity. Ever see an actor in a movie when he has
something in his hand in one shot, then a second later it's gone? As
the script supervisor it is your job to make sure that does not happen.
During the shooting you will watch each actor's movement very carefully
and make sure that movement is matched in every shot. You also keep a
written record of every shot taken that will be used as a guide by the
editor to piece the film together.
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Art Department / Set
Designer
The
Art Department is responsible for the look of the film
where sets and locations are concerned. On many occasions, the Art
Department will be asked to design and build a set entirely from
scratch or may simply be required to "dress" a set in accordance with
what is called for in the script. As an apprentice in the Art
Department, individuals will be involved in scouting locations,
purchasing and or renting props, dressing sets, and in some cases
participate in the actual construction of a set.
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Make-Up
& Hair
These
two departments have one very important thing in common:
their talents, along with the actor's performance, contribute to the
creation of a distinct character in the film. Where Make-Up is
concerned, it is often said that the best job is one we can't see. In
effect this is true, but the make-up used on film (both its type and
application) is far different than that used by, say, a woman on a
daily basis. As a Make-Up intern you will assist in all phases of the
process and in certain cases even work on extras on especially
high-volume days. The hair apprentice should also expect to learn the
special techniques and materials of the artist, including styling and
the use of hairpieces.
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Wardrobe
The Wardrobe Department is
responsible for the acquisition,
through rental or purchase, of various wardrobe items. You will assist
with the coordination and organization of these items during shooting,
as well as have the opportunity to learn some tailoring. As a Wardrobe
and Make-Up apprentice you will be required to deal with the talent on
a regular basis.
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Sound
The
Sound Department is responsible for the recording of all
location sound. In this department you learn microphones and their
functions: which mics are used where, and why. You will work with sound
recording equipment and learn how sound behaves in particular settings
(a closed set versus an existing location). You also will cover what
the best approaches are to record sound effectively, and how to mic
both individuals and sets for optimum quality. As the Sound apprentice
you will also be asked to run cable for the Boom Operator, help mic
talent, learn the sound paperwork required in editing, and in some
cases operate the boom.
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Stunts / Pyrotechnics / Weapons

Stunts and Pyrotechnics are responsible for some of the most
memorable and exciting moments in any given film. From stair falls to
high falls to burns, car crashes to boat chases. This department is
responsible for executing the effects that get our adrenaline pumping.
You'll have the opportunity to learn the techniques of highly trained
and experienced Stuntmen and Pyrotechnicians and receive detailed
explanations of every stunt or effect completed in the film.
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Many other jobs are available and described in the Film
Connection Course, including:
Property Master
Special Effects
Computer Animation
Set Construction
Production
Accounting
Projects Our
Students Have Worked On!