The Top Three Entry Level Roles in Film & Television

Film and television is one of the most competitive career sectors but it can also be one of the most fulfilling. Many people think that getting into film and television means knowing the right people and getting the lucky breaks. Although there is some truth to this, there are also lots of entry level film jobs that can help you find your way into the industry with no experience.

Today we’ll be looking at three of those jobs, talking about how to get them, and exploring how they could lead into a wider career.

1. Production Assistant

Perhaps the simplest way to kick off your film and television career is as a production assistant (PA for short). The role of a PA on set is, in many respects, a catch all. You help out where you can, learning about all aspects of production on the go and helping to keep things running smoothly.

The major advantage of being a PA is that it can take you in almost any direction. You’ll get to see first hand how a production is put together and what different roles look like in practice. It’s an excellent way to gain a real understanding of the industry.

That said, PA jobs can be particularly competitive. Because they’re one of the most common ways to get into the industry, there are a lot of people looking for PA work and, despite being an entry-level role, you may need to get some basic experience before applying for one.

Many people start with volunteering/unpaid internships as a way to get something on their CV and show that they can provide real value to a production.

2. Lighting Technician

If you’re more into the technical side of things, then lighting may be a good path to follow. Although it can be far more limited than starting out as a PA, being a lighting technician is nonetheless a very important role that’s crucial to any production and could provide great career opportunities.

Often referred to as gaffers, lighting technicians work closely with directors to get the perfect look for the final shot. Lighting teams are often quite large as well, meaning that there’s space for both entry level roles and career progression within the lighting department.

3. Film Production Apprenticeship 

Of course, if you’re hoping to one day be a director then a film production apprenticeship may be the way to go. Combining practical experience with structured education, an apprenticeship will give you an all-round view of the industry, a chance to network extensively, access to resources that will help you understand your future career progression.

Furthermore, apprenticeships mean you’re being paid to get an education. While you won’t earn as much as you would in a minimum wage job, you’ll at least be making some money whilst getting the kind of education a university would charge thousands for. Just remember that if you do go for an apprenticeship, be sure to research the programme extensively beforehand as some will provide far better value for your time than others.

Other Roles You Might Consider

Before we wrap up, we’d like to take a moment to shout out some other roles in the film and TV industry that don’t always get the same attention.

First and foremost, we’d like to talk about post production – that’s everything from video editing to VFX. The post production industry is huge and while it can be very competitive, it’s an industry where merit can get you a long way. Most post production jobs don’t require a degree. Instead they care about two things and two things alone.

They want to know how much experience you have and they want to see a first rate portfolio. While it’s very hard to do, both of these can be acquired from home, in your own time, through your own work. There are lots of learning resources available online and while these tools can take a long time to get proficient in, you don’t need a degree to do so.

While we’re at it, let’s also shout out pre-production. That’s your concept art, development, and script writing. These jobs are a little more risky at the moment because they’re the ones that are by far the most threatened by AI.
They’re also a little more networking dependent – particularly on the writing side of things. That said, once again you won’t need a degree. If you’re interested in a pre-production role then your best bet is to work on your portfolio while doing your best to meet people in the industry.