The Ultimate Film Career Guide Discover your skills and interests to help you determine and achieve your film career goals. The United States box office revenue grew from $10 billion dollars in 2012 to $11.3 billion in 2021. China was the largest box office market in the world in 2020. The U.S. and Canada ranked second with Sony Pictures leading the way behind a domestic box office gross of $500 million dollars. With that type of economic growth, the business side of film has had to change drastically to keep pace. There are more people involved in making a film, with jobs delegated between pre-production, production, and post-production. What are those film careers and how do you get started? To help you determine and achieve your career goals, we have created this comprehensive career guide. Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Film Career Guide is your source to discover jobs in film and learn entry points into the film industry. In this guide, you can begin to explore the jobs that drive the market, then search for your perfect career by area of interest, skills, companies, or industry experts. Learn about your skills and interests, and articulate them confidently to identify film career options within the industry that you might pursue. Then, implement a successful strategy to attain your desired outcomes. In this guide you’ll find the following information: • Overview of the film industry • Future of the film market • Film Career Library • Career Planning Strategy to get into the film industry You’ll also find simple exercises that help you: • form a career planning strategy to get into the film industry • find your passion in film and identify an area of interest to pursue • learn the film industry through top studios and its key players • identify your skills and match them to a film area of interest Whether you’re a novice, a student, or a professional, you can further your career path through this guide that will help you begin understanding opportunities available in the film industry, as well as the skills and qualifications you need to succeed. Yellowbrick.co is on a mission to inspire the next generation to pursue a career that aligns their talents and passions with the universities and brands they know and trust. Working in partnership with the world’s leading universities, brands and industry experts, Yellowbrick creates learning experiences that help tomorrow’s leaders discover and pursue career paths in growing global industries that align with their passions, including fashion, sports, beauty, music and media.

1. THE
ULTIMATE
FILM
CAREER
GUIDE

2. SPECIAL OFFER
2
OUTLINE

3. SPECIAL OFFER
3
04
09
15
19
Industry 101
Prospective Highlights
Future of Work
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production
Makeup & Costume
Distribution & Marketing
Novice Strategy
Alumni Strategy
Expert Strategy
05
07
08
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
22
25
28
35
36
38
CAREER LIBRARY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
GETTING STARTED
Pinpoint Your Passion for Film
Learn The Industry
Identify Your Skills
Brand Research
Set Your Career Goals
General Rules of Exploration
OVERVIEW

4. SPECIAL OFFER
4
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE OF WORK

5. 5 SPECIAL OFFER
OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
The film industry is among the most
lucrative and successful industries in
entertainment. Its beginning dates
back to the late 19th century — when
silent motion pictures had to be stored
on compact film reels. Since then, the
medium has evolved with technological
advancements in how we view them
and how we make them. From jumpy
projections on a wall to taking in epics
on mobile devices, film has stretched the
boundaries of the human imagination
beyond what was ever thought to be
possible.

6. 6 SPECIAL OFFER
The film industry in the United States is the oldest in the world.
In its early history, the industry was controlled by a handful of
studios concentrated in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los
Angeles, California. This time is now known as the Golden
Age of Hollywood. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio
dominated during the 1930s, and actors were locked into
contracts and unable to work with competing studios. The
Walt Disney Company also became prominent during this time
with its innovations in animation. It was a common practice
of the time for studios to have full or partial ownership in
theaters where films were shown, causing a conflict of interest.
The traditional studio system collapsed by the 1960s as film
productions faced complications due to antitrust lawsuits and
directors like Alfred Hitchcock fighting for more creative control.
Now film is global, with billion-dollar markets in North America,
China, and India. With that type of economic growth, the
business side of film has had to change drastically to keep pace.
There are also more people now involved in making a film, with
jobs delegated between pre-production, production, and post-
production. As of 2022, the film industry in North America is
valued at $25.8 billion and supports 423,000 jobs.
OVERVIEW

7. 7 SPECIAL OFFER
As of 2022, the
North American
film industry
employed around
423,000 people.
China was the
largest box office
market in the world
in 2021. The U.S.
and Canada ranked
second.
OVERVIEW
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
423,000
PEOPLE
LARGEST
BOX OFFICE
MARKET
United States box office revenue
grew from $7.4 billion in 1999
to $11.3 billion in 2019. In 2020,
the COVID-19 pandemic brought
revenue down to just over $2
billion for the year, doubling to
$4.45 billion in 2021.
In 2021, Disney was the
leading film studio in North
America and accounted
for 25.5% of the box office
revenue. Sony was a close
second with 23.1% of total
box office revenue.
$7.4 BILLION - 1999
$11.3 BILLION - 2019
$4.5 BILLION - 2021

8. 8 SPECIAL OFFER
FUTURE OF WORK
The way films are made
and consumed has changed
with the growth of home
entertainment and the
advent of streaming. Major
studios no longer dictate
who gets to make a film or its
success after release. Instead,
streaming companies like
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon
Prime have become studios in
their own right, financing and
releasing films and television
shows right to consumers at
their discretion.
With newer technology,
the affordability of editing
software, social media, and
crowdfunding explosion,
filmmakers don’t require big
budgets to make movies.
In addition, the rise of the
independent filmmaker has
meant more access to areas
of the industry that were once
surrounded by gatekeepers;
now, a filmmaker can record
a movie on their cell phone,
edit it at home, and submit it
directly to major film festivals.
The film industry has
experienced some
oversaturation, with amateur
and independent filmmakers
occupying more of the market.
However, it’s also led to an
increase — albeit slow — in
diversity and representation.
Black and Indigenous people
of color made up 39% of film
leads in 2021, up from only
10.5% in 2011. Women had
the lead role in 47.2% of films
in 2021 compared to 25.6% in
2011.
OVERVIEW

9. SPECIAL OFFER
9
CAREER
LIBRARY
Many careers can be pursued within the
film industry. The NYU x Rolling Stone x
IndieWire Film and TV Industry Essentials
course gives a holistic understanding of
the film industry, including the careers
responsible for driving the market forward
while understanding how to develop
necessary skills. Below is a list of career
possibilities for students, along with
highlighted industry experts within the
course you could learn from.

10. 10 SPECIAL OFFER
Screenwriter
Storyboard Artist
Executive Producer
Producer
Associate Producer
Casting Director
Casting Assistant
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
YAHLIN CHANG
Executive Producer/Writer
of The Handmaid’s Tale
CAREERS IN PRE-PRODUCTION

11. 11 SPECIAL OFFER
CAREER LIBRARY
Film Director
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Production Designer
Production Assistant
Script Supervisor
Line Producer
Location Manager
Leading Actor/Actress
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
JUDD APATOW
Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter,
Girls, The King of Staten Island,
Anchorman, and Bridesmaids
Extra
Stunt Coordinator
Director of Photographer
Cinematographer
Gaffer
Key Grip
Boom Operator
Props Master
Assistant Props Master
CAREERS IN PRODUCTION

12. 12 SPECIAL OFFER
Film Editor
Assistant Editor
Music Supervisor
Post Supervisor
Composer
Sound Designer
CAREER LIBRARY
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
ANG LEE
Filmmaker
Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain, and
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Sound Mixer
Production Sound Mixer
ADR Mixer
ADR Recording
Foley Engineer
Foley Artist
CAREERS IN POST-PRODUCTION

13. 13 SPECIAL OFFER
CAREER LIBRARY
Makeup Artist
Assistant Makeup Artist
Special/Visual Effects Artist
Costumer Designer
Wardrobe Stylist
Hair Stylist
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
ALFONSO GOMEZ-REJON
Filmmaker and TV Director
Glee, American Horror Story, and Me and
Earl and the Dying Girl
CAREERS IN MAKEUP & COSTUME

14. 14 SPECIAL OFFER
CAREER LIBRARY
Distribution Executive
Sales Agent
Film Publicist
Publicity Director
Publicity Assistant
Marketing Director
INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
EBONY RHODES
OUTshine LBGTQ + Film Festival
Board Member
Marketing Assistant
Communications Director
Communications Coordinator
Social Marketing Coordinator
Festival Programmer
CAREERS IN MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION

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15
CAREER
PLANNING
STRATEGY
There is no set linear path to achieving
your dreams within the film industry.
The following is a three-phase career
planning guide that reflects industry
experts’ experiences and are tailored
to novices, alumni, and experts who
are either considering a career within
film, navigating into the film industry, or
experiencing growth and leadership in
their roles.

16. 16 SPECIAL OFFER
NOVICE
NOVICE
Begin to
understand your
interests within film
Explore job and
industry options
within the film
industry
Determine
when you want to
enroll in the NYU
x Rolling Stone
x IndieWire Film
and TV Industry
Essentials course,
or relevant
programs,
conferences, etc.
that expand your
knowledge.
Create a
LinkedIn profile
and reach out to
potential mentors
or industry experts
that align with your
area of interest.
Attend
Yellowbrick
webinars to learn
more about the
NYU x Rolling Stone
x IndieWire Film
and TV Industry
Essentials course.
Follow
Yellowbrick on
Instagram and
TikTok to learn
about expert
workshops on
topics related
to the industry,
networking, and job
searching
Identify the
career path(s)
you’re interested in
pursuing
Identify your
interests, values,
skills, and talents
Enroll in
programs, classes,
and attend
conferences that
allow you to gain
first-hand learning
experience about
the film industry
Learn the
timelines and
experiences of
potential mentors
and industry
experts you admire
Understand
recruiting timelines
within the film
industry
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY

17. 17 SPECIAL OFFER
Have an expert
understanding of
how a movie gets
made — from
script to screen.
Complete
storyboards,
assignments, and
work that apply to
the film industry
Upload work
completed onto
your portfolio and
LinkedIn
Review job
descriptions of
positions within the
film industry that
interest you
Attend events
to build a network
Attend
recruiting
events, employer
information
sessions
Connect with
mentors, industry
experts within your
field of interest,
and alumni to
better position
yourself for the job
search
Assess what
you’ve learned
about yourself and
the intersection
between film
career paths and
the alignment with
your skills and
interests
Seek an
internship or entry-
level opportunity
within your field of
interest in film
Determine
the gaps in your
skillset and pursue
opportunities to
build those skills
needed
Revise and
tailor your resume
+ cover letter
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
ALUMNI
ALUMNI

18. 18 SPECIAL OFFER
In-depth,
hands-on
knowledge about
specific careers
within the film
industry
Master
communication
within your
discipline and field
Have your hand
on the pulse with
industry trends and
topics
Develop
and maintain
relationships with
mentors and peers
within the film
industry
Explore
leadership,
speaking
engagements,
and opportunities
within the industry
beyond your 9 to 5
Collaborate
with peers,
companies, and/or
organizations
Celebrate your
accomplishments,
growth, and
opportunities to
learn
Give yourself
permission to
pursue and grow
out of your comfort
zone
Ensure your
professional online
presence is up to
date: LinkedIn,
website, etc.
Prepare field-
specific application
materials (resume,
cover letter, reels/
portfolio)
KNOWLEDGE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
EXPERT
EXPERT

19. 19 SPECIAL OFFER
19
GETTING
STARTED
PINPOINT YOUR
FILM PASSION
LEARN THE INDUSTRY
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
BRAND RESEARCH
SET YOUR
CAREER GOALS
GENERAL RULES
OF EXPLORATION

20. 20 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
IN YOUR NEXT STEPS
The film industry is an ecosystem of
careers ranging from production to
distribution. The possibilities may feel
vast, but you can follow a career planning
process that will help you make informed
decisions beyond completing the NYU
x Rolling Stone x IndieWire Film and TV
Industry Essentials course. Figuring out
what career you want to pursue and
creating a plan to get there involves
assessing your interests and skills,
exploring your options, making decisions,
and taking action to achieve your career
goals. While each person’s experience
will be unique, these key points apply to
everyone.
GETTING STARTED

21. 21 SPECIAL OFFER
GETTING STARTED
DISCOVER
Dig into your interests,
personal values, skills,
work environment
preferences, lifestyle,
and job responsibilities
to identify different
fields within the
industry you’re
passionate about.
ACT
Get hands-on
experience from
internships, projects,
volunteering, job
opportunities related to
your evaluation.
EXPLORE
Research and learn
a range of career
options that align with
your interests you’ve
discovered.
DECIDE
Assess and evaluate
your options and narrow
down your selections
to a few that match
best with your lifestyle,
work environment
preferences, and wants.
It’s important to practice a growth
mindset and be open to exploring your
passions, interests, wants, and needs.

22. SPECIAL OFFER
22
PINPOINT
YOUR
FILM
PASSION
The most important element in figuring
out your career path and next steps is
understanding your passion and how
your interests relate. This career prep
exercise is your starter guide in exploring
your passion and interests within the film
industry.
CAREER PREP

23. 23 SPECIAL OFFER
1
4
7
2
5
3
6
DIRECTIONS
Take a few minutes to reflect on the
following topics. Come up with 3-5
answers to each. Once you are finished
answering the questions, identify
commonalities, and find themes in your
answers.
During my
free time, I...
I’m an expert at... I’m obsessed with
film because...
I’m energized by...
I like learning
about...
If I can learn
anything about
film, it’d be...
Naturally,
I’m good at...
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION
1
4
7
2
5
3
6

24. 24 SPECIAL OFFER
OF your answers, what common theme(s) are you seeing that
are related to these areas of interest within the film industry?
PRE-PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
POST-PRODUCTION
MAKEUP & COSTUME
MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
ACTION STEP
From the common themes you’ve seen from your answers, who
is one person you can talk to and learn more about your area
of interest?
PINPOINT YOUR PASSION

25. 25 SPECIAL OFFER
25
LEARN
THE
INDUSTRY
How well do you know the film business?
Use this research exercise to learn
more about key players in the film
industry, your favorite studios, and their
competitors. Then, discover what type of
studios or companies you want to work
for (or start!).
CAREER PREP

26. 26 SPECIAL OFFER
first film
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

27. 27 SPECIAL OFFER
LEARN THE INDUSTRY

28. 28 SPECIAL OFFER
28
IDENTIFY
YOUR
FILM
SKILLS
As you understand your interests within
the film industry, you must be aware of
the skills you have developed and already
acquired, especially when planning
your career goals or beginning your job
search.
CAREER PREP

29. 29 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the film industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
PRE-PRODUCTION
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Imaginative
Great ability to develop new concepts
Highly organized
Strong presentation skills
Master of the elevator pitch
Ability to adapt visual ideas into words
Can take feedback
Determination
Resilient
Strategic

30. 30 SPECIAL OFFER
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the film industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement
PRODUCTION
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Strong written and verbal communication
Process-oriented
A strong believer in teamwork
Knack for problem-solving
Thrives under pressure
Adaptable
Can command authority in a room
Creative
Decisive
High confidence

31. 31 SPECIAL OFFER
POST-PRODUCTION
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Learns new technology and software
quickly
Can work independently
Excellent time management
Patience
Open-mindedness
Analytical thinker
Empathetic
Thick skin
Understanding of film theory
Strong work ethic
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the film industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

32. 32 SPECIAL OFFER
MAKEUP & COSTUME
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Attention to detail
Visualization skills
Great interpersonal skills
Ability to work quickly
Willing to experiment with new ideas
Constantly working on technique
Artistic
Highly driven
Sketching ability
Awareness of health & safety protocols
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the film industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

33. 33 SPECIAL OFFER
MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
Business savvy
Can network
Financially responsible
Outgoing
Relationship builder
Negotiation skills
Persuasive
Up to date on market trends
Foresight and ability to project
Natural salesperson
Each box represents a skill and area of interest
within the film industry. Within each box below:
Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled
Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled
Place a “1” if there’s room for improvement

34. 34 SPECIAL OFFER
BECOME
AN EXPERT
These days, hiring managers are
impressed with what you know and what
skills you bring to the table. Making time
for yourself to become an expert is how
you’ll find your lane and make yourself
stand out. This can appear in different
ways: investing in your career with time,
money, and knowledge. While there’s
constant exposure to new information, it
can be overwhelming to figure out where
to start and how to keep up. Begin with
what you know and where your interests
fall — by researching the studios you
gravitate towards or competitors of the
studios you love.

35. 35 SPECIAL OFFER
A24
Amazon/Amazon Prime Video/
Amazon Studios
Amblin Partners
Chesterfield Pictures
Comcast/NBCUniversal
DreamWorks Animation/
Pictures
Focus Features
HBO Films
Lions Gate Entertainment
Lantern Entertainment
Marvel Studios
MGM Holdings
Neon
Netflix
New Line Cinema
Pixar
Relativity Media
RKO Pictures
Saban Films
Sony/Sony Pictures
StudioCanal
STX Entertainment
Touchstone Pictures
Triangle Films
Troma
ViacomCBS/Paramount
Pictures
The Walt Disney Company/
The Walt Disney Studios
WarnerMedia/Warner Bros.
TOP FILM
STUDIOS TO GET
YOU STARTED
BRAND RESEARCH

36. SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS 36
SETTING
YOUR
CAREER
GOALS
You’ve narrowed in your passions and
done some research into the film industry.
Identifying your career goal and creating
a plan around it will help you with your
next steps.
Setting career goals requires planning.
Identify academic requirements,
experience, barriers, and other factors
that would help you prepare for your
career goals on the next page.
CAREER PREP

37. 37 SPECIAL OFFER
SET YOUR CAREER GOALS
ACADEMICS
EXPERIENCE
BARRIERS
OTHER FACTORS
CAREER GOALS

38. 38 SPECIAL OFFER
GENERAL RULES OF CAREER
EXPLORATION WITHIN
THE FILM INDUSTRY
GENERAL RULES
EXPLORE
Take time to
explore how your
interests and skills
intersect with
different career
paths in the film
industry. This will
help you holistically
understand the
whole industry and
communicate your
value to future
employers.
BUILD
Each opportunity
you take on builds
a foundation of
applicable skills
for the next
opportunity.
START
Beginning allows
you to build a
wide range of
experiences,
explore various
fields, and give you
room to change
your mind or pivot
along the way.

39. 39 SPECIAL OFFER
39
READY TO
LEARN MORE
ABOUT THE FILM
INDUSTRY AND
ALL ASPECTS
OF THE FILM
BUSINESS?
Check out Yellowbrick’s Film and TV
Essentials course featuring faculty
from New York University and experts
from Rolling Stone and IndieWire.

40. 40 SPECIAL OFFER
STATISTA | STATISTICS & FACTS
https://www.statista.com/topics/964/film/
NEWSROOM | ARTS & CULTURE
https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/hollywood-diversity-
report-2022/
RESOURCES

41. SPECIAL OFFER
41
FILM
ESSENTIALS
New York University faculty, together with
leaders from Rolling Stone and IndieWire
across the movie industry, will teach you
about the key areas and related career
opportunities in the ever-evolving movie
industry.
This 100% online course will build your
film industry skills and expertise in key
areas such as:
Fundamentals in film
Understanding the production
process
Post-production and the
production business
Marketing & distribution
Learn more at ylearn.co/filmbook.
ABOUT

42. 42 SPECIAL OFFER
EMPOWERING DREAMERS TO
ACHIEVE THEIR CALLING
In partnership with top universities
and brands, we create educational
experiences that tap into interests and
passions to spark success, fuel personal
advancement, and open doors to fulfilling
paths for our students.
Check out our full course offerings at
ylearn.co/ebook.
Join us on social media:
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