How to launch your career in the film and TV sector

The BT Sport production gallery. Image: SEENIT.
The BT Sport production gallery. Image: SEENIT.

There’s no doubt that the British film and TV sector is one of the most exciting in the world, and that’s probably why so many people are always looking to build a career working within the industry.

One of the many reasons for the popularity of the industry is that it offers a diverse range of opportunities across a wide spectrum of disciplines, and this results in a huge number of career options for people with many different skills and talents.

Creative
The worlds of film and TV attract some of the most creative people operating in any field of media or entertainment.

Whether your own talents or ambitions lie in performing in front of the camera or making the creative decisions behind it, there is almost no end to the ways in which talented individuals can create a career for themselves.

Actors, presenters and performers across the board are always in demand and some of the biggest names in the entertainment world got their first breaks in small roles which then led on to much greater things.

Likewise, some of the most accomplished movie directors and writers began on TV and had the chance to hone their talents before making the leap to the big screen

Technical
Of course, there would be no results for any creative vision if not for the army of technical personnel that bring it all to reality.

From lighting and sound technicians through to set designers and riggers, across to post-production digital editors and animators, the list of technical professionals who work on most film and TV productions is extensive.

However, the specialisations involved can require extensive training or targeted educational qualifications.

Qualifications
As it is such a popular industry in which to work, it is also one of the most competitive, which means that anything that can offer an advantage to help a candidate stand out from the crowd is always welcome.

Some universities such as Bolton offer great courses across a range of different disciplines, which can provide the groundwork needed to launch a career in these fields.

It is in the top 50% of universities in the UK for student satisfaction levels, according to the Complete University Guide 2017. You can learn more about exactly what is on offer by checking out the Bolton University profile.

Vibrant industry
Although many questioned how the film and TV industry would survive the digital revolution, the fact is that the proliferation of online delivery platforms and constantly updated consumer tech have combined to breathe new life into the sector.

Demand for top quality content is now higher than ever and the film and TV industry in the UK continues to lead the way in terms of creativity and innovation.

Without doubt, it is an exciting time to think about getting involved, and making sure you take the right first steps can be the crucial factor in setting off on a successful career path.

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