5 Career Options with a Degree in Film Studies

5 Careers with a Degree in Film Studies

• Film Director
• Film Critic
• Film Archivist
• Film Editor
• Film Producer

There are several good career options with a degree in film studies. A student who wants to focus his or her career around motion pictures can find a use for this degree. The following are just a few of the careers available in the film industry.

1. Film Director

A lot of people who want to enter the film industry dream of becoming a film director. Directors oversee all aspects of the creation of a film and are the primary creative vision behind the project. Film directors then guide all other members of the production team, from the visual effects artists to the actors, on how to fulfill that vision.

Film directors rarely start out directing, unless they can finance their independent feature. Instead, they work their way up in the industry by working as actors, production assistants, cinematographers, screenwriters and just about every other professional involved in the production of a film.

2. Film Critic

A background in film studies is perfect for pursuing a career as a film critic. Film critics view films and then write opinion pieces on them for the education of the general public. With so many digital publications in existence, especially ones centering around entertainment, the opinions of film critics are still highly sought after. Average people use these opinions when deciding whether to spend time or money on a particular film. Film critics can also begin building their reputations and enterprises through blogging or social media.

3. Film Archivist

Film archivists work to organize, manage and preserve the thousands of films that have been created for future generations to enjoy. They are often in charge of managing specific collections, although they may be called upon to assist with individual projects regarding the restoration of a specific film. Film tends to degrade fast so archivists are always active in keeping these works of art around. Because of this, they need to stay knowledgeable of and able to use new technological advances and preservation techniques. Film archivists work with a variety of different media, from traditional film reels to videotapes, DVDs and digital media.

4. Film Editor

Film editors are responsible for taking the scenes of a film, which are usually filmed out of sequence and include unusable takes, and piecing them together into a coherent narrative. They work with the director to determine which sequences should be cut. Film editing is a type of art in and of itself, and is among the best career options with a degree in film studies for students oriented towards tech. Even for students who ultimately decide they do not want to work in film or the path never fully opens up for them, they can still find successful careers as video editors. Film studies degrees teach many of the core principles that go into good film editing.

5. Film Producer

Producers handle much of the business side of filmmaking, making this a good role for someone who may not be as creative but is great at fulfilling the creative visions of others. Producers are instrumental in determining which movies get made, as a significant part of their job is to find and select promising material to develop further. Film production is an exciting and multifaceted career, as noted by the Chicago Tribune, because the genesis and creation of each project is uniquely different.

Related Resource: 15 Best Affordable Film Studies Degree Programs

Careers in the film industry can be extremely competitive. But with solid skills and a film studies degree from a quality program, students should be able to enjoy good career options with a degree in film studies.