What (or who) is behind the spotlight?
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Careers in Film and Digital Media
No matter where in the world you are located, a film and television degree often conjures up visions of Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards for some, while others dream of exotic set locales taken in from the comfort of a director's chair.
Certainly, a film and television degree can lead someone down either or both of those paths. However, the actual title of "film and television degree" does not do justice to film and digital media because the potential careers attached to this industry are not found solely behind a camera or a television screen. There are plenty of other careers in the world of film and digital media.
Animation
Animators use more than pencils and paper to do their jobs. With the availability of advanced industry technology, animators can bring entire galaxies to life with the use of software such as After Effects, Premiere, Flipbook, Flash and Dreamweaver, Autodesk Maya, Anime Studio, Apple Shake and Pixar RenderMan.
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Broadcast design and motion graphics
Broadcast design and motion graphics professionals create main titles for television and film, commercials and network design, as well as design and animation for new formats such as cell phones and iPods.
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- Art director
- Teacher
- Instructor
- Demo artist
- Director
- Broadcast designer
- Creative director
- Motion design for film titles, cable and broadcast networks, new media, commercials
Film and television
Film and television professionals can be found on sound stages and sets but also in the advertising, corporate video production and new media sectors. They work with a variety of genres including narrative, documentary, experimental cinema, music video, television programming and short films.
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Interactive design and game development
Careers in interactive design and game development involve creating dynamically driven rich-media Internet applications, video games, virtual online environments and a variety of computer applications.
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Performing arts
Performing arts degree-holders work in multimedia entertainment, television, film and, of course, the performing arts in a variety of roles associated with acting, playwriting, casting, directing and management.
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Production design
In the expanding field of programming for cable outlets, broadcast networks, independent filmmaking, digital video production, theme parks and other entertainment venues, production designers are in growing demand. Working behind the scenes on sets, lighting and costumes, production designers support productions for film, theater and television.
Careers
- Producer — studio film, television
- Designer — conference exhibition, restaurant, scenic, lighting, costume, retail, theme park, museum
Sound design
Sound designers, composers and mix engineers develop soundtracks for all types of media. Sound designers work specifically with dialog, sound effects and Foley. Composers, music editors and music supervisors develop legal scores. Mix engineers prepare all three stems (dialog, SFX and music) for a variety of release formats.
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Visual effects
Visual effects have become a commonplace tool for films, but also for television programs and commercials. Visual effects artists are employed to produce images that are either impossible or impractical to shoot in the real world. Visual effects artists at studios both large and small help filmmakers achieve their vision.
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A career in film and digital media offers a little (or a lot) of something for everyone—not just future filmmakers and television producers. As the global community continues to get closer with tools such as the Internet, international cell phones and expanded air travel, jobs in film and digital media literally are available around the world.
If your home country doesn't have an institution that offers a degree within film and digital media, all you need is a passport, a plane ticket and a passion to dream big.