From script to screen: Careers in film production ilms are more than entertainment. They inspire, inform, and may even F become part of our culture. And for many people, films also offer jobs and a career path. The glamour of Hollywood and the cre- ativity of filmmaking attract droves of people looking to work on the next big blockbuster— and for good reason. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, box office revenues in the United States and Canada reached $10.8 billion in 2012, a 6-percent increase from 2011. And thanks to advances in technology, it’s never been easier, faster, or more affordable for people to make their own films. But working in this industry is not always as glamorous as it seems. For example, find- ing steady work is difficult and wages are auditioning the actors, and planning how each generally low. A passion for film helps work- scene will be shot. ers overcome these and other challenges. “The Occupations involved in preproduction work is hard,” says supervising sound editor include screenwriters, producers, and direc- Sara Royster Kevin Hill, “so if you love it, you’ll be more tors. and Dennis likely to stick through the tough times.” Vilorio This article describes many of the occupa- Screenwriters tions in film production. The first three sec- Screenwriters write or adapt the film’s story tions describe the typical work duties of and into a script. The story may exist in another training required for key occupations in each form, such as a novel or play, or may be based phase. Other sections offer pros and cons of on actual events. Other times, screenwriters working in the film industry, jobseeking tips write the script from their own ideas. for starting a film career, and resources for For an adaptation, screenwriters must additional information. first obtain the legal rights to use the mate- Sara Royster and A graphic on page 18 follows the lifecycle rial and then rewrite this material to suit their Dennis Vilorio of a film. It shows the work performed during purposes. They may keep much of the source are economists in each phase of the filmmaking process: prepro- material or make big changes and insert some the Office of Oc- duction, production, and postproduction. of their own ideas. For scripts based on actual cupational Statis- Although the article focuses mainly on events, screenwriters research the events and tics and Employ- feature film production, the information gen- then write the script based on the research. ment Projections, erally applies to other types of video produc- For an original story, screenwriters brainstorm BLS. Sara can tions, such as TV shows, music videos, and ideas before beginning to write. They may other kinds of film. have a colleague edit the script and make sug- be reached at gestions. (202) 691-5645 When the script is done, screenwriters or royster.sara@ Occupations in find a producer willing to fund the project. bls.gov. Dennis They work with the producer and director dur- can be reached at preproduction ing preproduction to discuss, edit, and develop (202) 691-5711 or Preproduction is the initial phase of a film’s the script. vilorio.dennis@ creation and can last months or even years. bls.gov. This work includes developing the script, (Continued on page 19) www.bls.gov/ooq • Summer 2013 17 Lifecycle of a film Filmmaking typically involves three phases: prepro- minimal involvement in one phase and do most duction, production, and postproduction. In prepro- of their work in another. Filmworkers’ tasks are duction, preparations are made for recording the described in the article but are not included in the film’s footage. During production, the film is shot on graphic. set with the cast and crew. And in postproduction, the This graphic follows the lifecycle of a film from footage is edited and refined to complete the film. script idea to final approval. Every major step is Different filmworkers have varying degrees of outlined for each of the phases. Although the com- involvement in each phase. Some workers, such as plete lifecycle can last a few months to a few years, producers and directors, are involved throughout the the steps shown in production repeat daily during that lifecycle of the film. Others, such as visual effects phase. In addition, some steps happen simultaneously artists who work with completed footage, may have within each phase. Preproduction Production Postproduction Script written Set prepared Footage edited Electrical, lighting, and Financing secured Visual effects added sound set up Actors’ makeup applied Cast and crew hired Sound effects added and hair styled Locations scouted Camera angles selected Musical score created and selected Sets and props built Scenes rehearsed Audio tracks mixed Wardrobe designed Audio track combined Video and audio recorded and made with footage Production schedule Film approved created 18 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2013 (Continued from page 17) Producers’ financial Skills and training. Writing down ideas responsibilities include and transforming them into scripts is one of making sure a film stays the easiest ways to begin screenwriting. “The on budget. great thing about screenwriting is that it’s easy to get started,” says screenwriting teacher Matt McNevin. “All you need is a pen and paper.” That doesn’t mean screenwriting itself is easy. “Learning to write a screenplay is like learning a new language,” says McNevin. Because screenwriting is its own style of writing, taking a screenwriting class is often useful. But a single class is often not enough to learn all the skills necessary to turn ideas into scripts, so many screenwriters have a bach- elor’s degree. A master’s degree in film or a related field also may be beneficial. Producers and directors Producers and directors make the business and creative decisions for a film. Usually, their hiring the director, creating a budget, and responsibilities remain largely separate. But approving changes made to the script, budget, occasionally, their work overlaps—and one or filming schedule. person may do the job tasks of both occupa- Producers may hire other workers to help tions. with some of these tasks. For example, line Producers. Producers are a film’s manag- producers disburse the money and keep the ers, beginning with securing the financing in film on budget. preproduction to approving the completed film Directors. The director develops and in postproduction. “You shepherd the project implements the artistic vision for the film. from script to screen,” says producer-director In preproduction, the director helps Michael Merino. “You are responsible for audition and choose the cast and works with everybody and everything.” production designers to create appropriate Producers’ financial responsibilities sets and wardrobe. He or she also collaborates include finding the money to fund a film, with the producer to write the production making sure the film stays on budget, and schedule. being accountable for the film’s financial suc- When a film is ready to begin production, cess. In preproduction, producers take a script the director oversees the shooting of each that they are interested in making into a film scene. To ensure that each take is captured and meet with potential investors to ask for properly, the director works closely with the their financial support. If someone agrees to cinematographer. The director also guides invest money in the film, the producer and the the actors to help them better portray their investor sign a contract so that work can begin characters. on the project. After shooting is complete, the postpro- From preproduction through postproduc- duction workers, under the director’s guid- tion, producers are responsible for the overall ance, design the music, sound, and visual supervision of a film. Their duties include effects. www.bls.gov/ooq • Summer 2013 19 Skills and training. Producers and direc- They prepare the cast, crew, and set for shoot- tors need to be organized and be comfortable ing each day. with multitasking. Creativity, leadership, and Assistant directors are liaisons between communication skills are also important. And the director and the cast and crew. Before money management skills are useful to help shooting begins each day, assistant direc- keep a film within budget. tors prepare the “call sheets.” Call sheets are Producers and directors usually have a detailed schedules of what scenes are being bachelor’s degree. They can major in nearly filmed each day, which actors and props are in any field, but popular choices include commu- each scene, and what the actors’ makeup and nications, business, and fine arts. wardrobe needs are. Assistant directors also Producers and directors often have years announce the beginning and end of shooting of work experience in a related occupation, for each take, and they report any problems such as actor or cinematographer. Because of that arise during filming to the director. the nature of their work, they need knowledge Production assistants perform miscella- of the film production process. “You have to neous tasks for the assistant directors, includ- understand every aspect of film,” says Merino. ing running errands or bringing actors and Other producers and directors have experience props to the set. working in business or management. Skills and training. Assistant directors and production assistants must be organized and should communicate well to keep the film Occupations in production set running smoothly. They also need to be Production is the filmmaking phase that resourceful to do a diverse assortment of tasks includes shooting of the footage. It usually as needed on the set. Leadership skills are lasts about 1 month for smaller films and up useful for assistant directors because they are to a few months for larger films. This work in charge of most of the other workers on set.