What is the smallest job on a film set and how can I get it? What qualifications do I need etc?

I hope to work my way up the Film business. What job could I get with a uni degree in Film?|||Did you have any kind of specialty? Set construction, lighting, etc. The lowest level would probably be a laborer on the set construction crew. A little higher up would be the grips/best boys. On the production side there are the production assistants.|||A university degree in "film" will NOT get you a job in the professional industry.





Most film schools will teach you a lot of theory and some practical production. But most will not teach you the first thing about how the professional industry truly works and how you can put your education to use.





There is no single way to get in. Even if you have a friend or relative who can get you your first job, the best way for anyone to find success is to learn how the business actually operates. Once you know who everyone on set and off actually is and what they actually do all day long, then you can use that information to figure out what path is best for you.





For some people, volunteering to work on indie movies to gain experience is what they can do and need. For others, finding some kind of entry-level job in a movie-industry related company is best. If you want an "on set" job, you'll likely have to spend weeks to months working for free or very little money until you have met enough people who will like you and call you for a paying job. If you want some kind of "off set" job in post-production or an executive style area, then you likely won't volunteer for anything, but you will be starting at the bottom and not making much money.





Any road into the business takes patience, passion, and perseverance. While you're still in filmschool, make the time to learn everything you can about the actual professional industry so that you can better tailor your own education to guide you toward your ultimate goals.





An important part of your question above is that you want to work your way up. Up to what? What specific job is it that you want to have and spend your life working towards and doing? Just being a "filmmaker" isn't enough of any answer. Do you want to write? Direct? Produce? Be the Cameraman? An Editor? An Actor? An AD? A Focus Puller? A Special Effects Technician? A Visual Effects Supervisor? A Sound Mixer? A Prop Master? YOU must decide precisely what it is you want to do...THEN you can find out what it takes to get there and only then can you search for that entry-level job that will get you there. Starting on the wrong path could mean that you waste valuable time and never get to where you'd like to be.





For EVERYTHING you need to know about the professional film industry, each job on set and how to get there, check out What I Really Want to Do: On Set in Hollywood at the website listed below.





Good luck!








Brian Dzyak


Cameraman/Author


IATSE Local 600, SOC


http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com