A Career in Film Making – LJ Institute of Media and Communications
Overview: Film making is one of the most creative and broadest career opportunity in mass media. Films are essential for entertainment, act as an informing tool and are used as a mode of communication.
Film making includes:
• Documentaries
• Commercial films
• Promotional films
• Feature films
• Music videos
Film making is not a one man show. It requires collaboration with a large number of skilled individuals.
Film making involves:
• Direction
• Production
• Script writing
• Cinematography
• Choreography
• Audio recording
• Editing
• Casting actors
In India while the employment scopes for a career in film making are lucrative, it is a highly competitive field. With a large number of films released each year, skills such as ability to express ideas, technical knowhow and collaborative talent is vital for film making.
Opposite to the common belief that acting and directing are creative talent that are inherited, training helps to streamline those skills. Professional training is essential in in every profession associated with film making, including sound engineering and audio editing, cinematography and direction.
For those looking to build their career in film making, here’s everything that you should be knowing about this field.
Facts, Hurdles and Future Scopes to be Taken into Account While Choosing a Career in Film Making,
#1. You don’t necessarily require a film making course for becoming a film director – To become a professional film maker, compassion and creativity are the greatest assets. You don’t compulsorily need a course in film making to get into this industry. However a course helps you understand the nitty-gritties of the film making industry.
The best way to start off is by either making your own films (preferable short films) or becoming an assistant director or producer. Because film making is all about teamwork, you need to first learn how to make skilled professionals work in complete synchronization.
Commitment and passion to learn is the best way to become a master in this field. Be on a film set, observe and learn. As said by Nagesh Kukunoor “A lot of direction is intuitive”.
#2. There are many ways to start – To start a career in film making, you can take up any from a number of roles. Start as an assistant director responsible for making arrangements for delivering all requirements in a timely manner. Depending on the size of the film the number of assistant directors vary. Most film makers shoot in a fast, rigorous and aggressive manner hence there’s always a demand for committed, hard-working and passionate assistant directors.
#3. There are many advantages of getting a formal training in film making – There is no educational barrier or eligibility for students wishing to pursue a career in film making. However formal training is important since it makes it easier to comprehend the technicalities associated with the job.
This formal training can then be converted into practical learning. A full course in film making equips with both the theoretical and practical knowledge thereby making you aware about both the hardware and software operations of the shoot.
As a film maker you’ll have to handle camera, edit the script, overlook the recording, manage the pre and post product stage and deal with the actors and sings. Graduating with a film making course helps you master the technical know-how vital for this industry.
#4. Excellent Communication and people management skills are crucial – Excellent communication and people management skills set good directors apart from the average ones. He should be able to tell a story in an engaging way and deal with a large number of people.
The director is responsible for gathering funds, background, editing the film, music and scripting, all simultaneously. While a lot can be learnt by studying these procedures, its only working on the actual shoots that teach you the intricacies.
Working on a real shoot teaches you how to collaborate with different sections to harmoniously work and bring a movie to life.
#5. Funds are often a hurdle in individual and non-commercial film making – Every film needs a budget, which makes budgeting an essential ingredient of film making. For an independent or a new film maker getting the required funding might become a huge hurdle.
A director needs to overlook proper distribution of funds for the film project. Even to start one’s own production -company requires capital for infrastructure, hiring talent and registration.
Skills Required for a Successful Career in Film Making
#1. Writing – It is understood that not every film maker knows how to write an effective script. But he has to be able to recognize how a script adheres to the story and grabs the attention of the audience. Often, a director will rewrite a script, whether it is a simple polish for dialogue or a complete overhaul to meet his creative needs. Whatever the reason, doing this will be difficult without the ability to write.
#2. Visual Storytelling – It is the film makers’ job to translate the script into visuals. Ability to tell a story visually is a critical skill of a film maker. Many film students start out making silent films. This is to learn to convey the meaning with actions and without words. The audience should have an idea of what is happening onscreen, even if the characters aren’t speaking. Dialogue and music will ultimately enhance a film, but cannot save a picture if it is visually unappealing.
#3. Communication – Making a film is not a one-man show. Coordination with a large number of professionals is required. The larger the film, the more people to deal with. Successfully managing different workers — each with his or her own ideas, procedures and egos — requires strong communication skills. You have to successfully convey your vision to each of them to ensure it ends up reflected in the finished film.
#4. Technical Expertise – A film maker doesn’t need to know every moving part of the camera, microphone or the light shutter. But he should have an overview of all the skills people work for. Without the necessary know-how the finished product might not be perfect and the film maker may not be able to spot the imperfections.
LJ Institute of Media & Communications is Ahmedabad’s best institute for film making. With the best professors and film makers helping students train to become the Gen X film makers, this institute is the top most film making institute in Gujarat. If you’re a student wishing to pursue a bright career in film making, LJIMC is the best institute for you.
References –
1. http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/02/career-in-film-making-in-india/
2. http://topyaps.com/career-film-direction-india-facts-hurdles-scope
3. http://career.webindia123.com/career/options/media_entertainment/film_making/intro.htm
4. http://filmschools.com/resources/top-10-qualities-of-a-great-filmmaker
