Five Reasons to Earn a Filmmaking Degree
Posted: April 11, 2023 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 4 minutes
While film and cinema are barely over one hundred years old, the industry has grown exponentially during that time frame. Moviemaking is one of the most successful industries in the world, and while acting is important, the people behind the scenes are the ones who make it all happen. Southern Utah University’s new filmmaking degree is the best choice for aspiring filmmakers. Below are a few reasons why a film degree is a great degree to provide endless career options after you graduate.
Five Reasons to Get a Filmmaking Degree
1. It’s a fun, creative environment.
Working on a movie or television show takes a lot of people who are all working for the same goal; to make something lasting to move audiences. Film and television are places for people to express themselves and tell stories that stay with audience members. It’s the career of changing lives.
2. It’s a great place to learn teamwork and other career skills.
There are lots of opportunities to learn different aspects of television and filmmaking. From learning the uses of technology, to managing a team, to helping write the story, film and television can help people develop job skills that make them a more well-rounded individual.
3. Networking creates great partnerships and friendships.
Success in the filmmaking industry is as much about skill set as it is about networking. People in your classes may one day go on to direct a hit, blockbuster film and you could potentially work with them. Not to mention that you’ll make lots of friends along the way.
4. There are endless job opportunities.
Again, it takes a lot of people to make a movie. Sitting through the end credits of any film is evidence enough of that. As the filmmaking industry expands and evolves, more and more people are needed to help with projects all over the country and even the world! Having a filmmaking degree lets companies know that you have basic knowledge and experience in the field and will most likely help you get hired faster.
5. The majority of jobs have high-paying salaries.
Of course, people higher up on the film food chain are going to make the big bucks, but even wages for starting out aren’t that bad. Find more information about jobs in film that pay well.
Six Careers With a Filmmaking Degree
Don’t know where to get started career-wise? Here are some examples of jobs that benefit from having a filmmaking degree.
Producer
These are the people behind the launch of film, movie, and television projects. They are in the room for the writing, hiring, directing, and editing processes. They also manage the finances of the project, provide adequate marketing, and distribute the project to various theaters and streaming services once it’s finished.
Film/TV Director
Directors are the creative minds who help come up with ideas for projects. They can also help write scripts and come up with stories. Casting directors find people who can contribute both in front of the camera and behind it. Directors on set help designate location and lead the crew. Once the project is in post-production, they work with editors to finalize the project.
Photographer
Set photographers are in charge of taking photos during the filming process that can later be used for marketing purposes while promoting the movie and its release date. The better the photos, the better the press.
Videographer
The people behind the camera. They make sure that they have enough good footage to put the movie together. A videographer’s job can often bleed into editing and splicing the takes together. In addition to shooting and editing, they also know a lot about lighting and sound.
AV Technician
The experts in sound. AV technicians are useful in many settings that require a lot of sound and visual management, like concerts, sporting events, theater productions, and, of course, film. They are the ones who set up and manage all the sound equipment to enhance what the audience hears.
Production Manager
The production managers are primarily responsible for scheduling. They lay out how long the filming process will take and how long the editing process will take–in theory, anyway. They also help coordinate all the activities and operations of the production. They decide on the resources needed for the project as well.
And there are so many other opportunities out there.
Bachelor's Degree in Filmmaking at SUU
Earning a filmmaking degree at SUU is the first step to getting your work up on the silver screen. A collaboration between SUU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Performing and Visual Arts, the filmmaking degree emphasizes theory, storytelling skills, aesthetic concepts, visual organization, and strong production skills to create successful filmmakers. And by earning a BFA, students have the opportunity to focus on a professional degree that will prepare them for a career in film. Learn more about SUU’s filmmaking degree.
Tags: College of Humanities and Social Sciences Filmmaking College of Performing and Visual Arts
