What You Should Know If You Didn’t Attend Film School

You’re not interested in attending film school, are you? Here are three possibilities for your professional life that you should think about.

Everyone is aware of how difficult it may be to land the job of one’s dreams in the industry. The bulk of employment need completion of specialised education or training programmes, as well as, probably most importantly, a large professional network within the sector. A few roles in the film and television industries require expertise and experience from sectors unrelated to those industries. This is due to the fact that the film and television industries are extremely diverse workplaces.

The three career paths we’ve selected to examine in this article do not require any prior expertise in directing, acting, screenwriting, or editing; nonetheless, they have the potential to be incredibly rewarding and successful endeavours.

Designer of the Set

Most productions with a medium to high profile in cinema, television, and theatre have a set designer. This person is in charge of analysing the screenplay and creating a design for the set where each scene will take place.

Set designers often have a background in architecture, interior design, or 3D design, as well as a higher national diploma (HND) or a degree in a field related to one of these design fields. To become a designer, however, one must first work their way up through the ranks of the art department, either as an apprentice or an assistant.

A competent set designer is more than just a clever architect when it comes to designing a set; they always make sure to consider the needs of all of the other departments, such as lighting, photography, make-up, and costume design.

My line of work is never boring because no two sets are ever the same. Despite the fact that there are strict deadlines and a large amount of labour that frequently extends past normal work hours, the satisfaction of creating something from scratch is well worth the effort. A Set Designer’s salary ranges from around £40,000 to much more or less than that, depending on the production budget and freelance labour rates.

Designer of Costumes

Whether the production is a period piece or a sci-fi action film, costumes are a crucial aspect of effectively depicting a different world on screen. Costume designers are the people in charge of ensuring that this accuracy is maintained while also incorporating contemporary preferences and fashions.

Fashion design, graphic design, and the fine arts are the most prevalent educational courses for aspiring costume designers. The majority of professionals in this role have a degree or qualification in one of these professions. Following that, they begin their employment in the costume department, usually as a costume assistant and working their way up the ranks.

Significant research abilities, as well as rigorous sewing machine practise, soft skills in connecting with actors and team members, as well as ingenuity and hard work, will be required. The task necessitates a cross-functional approach.

For someone coming from a fashion background, though, this work may be immensely rewarding because you get to witness your creations come to life and then on film. You also get to apply your creative flare to an entire production rather than individual pieces of clothes, and you have some say over the end result by applying your own taste and eye.

Ceremony Master

The property master, or prop master for short, is the manager of the entire property department. This person is in charge of furnishing the set with all of the objects, furniture, and… props needed to make the scene appear coherent, consistent, and realistic.

Prop Masters often start out as assistants or runners in the department and work their way up to the position of Prop Master. Prop Masters often have a background in design or fine arts. Before beginning a career in this field, it is critical to become acquainted with every aspect of the art department and the duties that come with it.

A good prop master can not only conceive a set with all of its portable objects and efficiently source or manufacture them, but also mend or substitute anything that unexpectedly breaks down, calmly addressing any situation that may happen. All of these characteristics contribute to a skilled prop master’s craftmanship, attention to detail, and ability to operate under pressure.

Despite the fact that it is not the highest paid job in the industry and there are very few high-profile opportunities that pay more than £40,000, this position is suitable for people who have a passion for craftsmanship as well as solid budgeting and management skills.