Whether you're planning ahead for how to get your first break in the TV and film industry, or you're out there looking for jobs right now, our guide provides some essential info to help you on your way.
What kind of entry-level roles are there in the TV and film industry?
There are so many different career paths in the TV and film industry, and it can be tricky to understand how they all fit together. These ScreenSkills career maps make it all much clearer. There are individual maps for the key areas of TV and film drama, unscripted TV, post-production, and VFX. The maps show all of the different roles and how they fit together.
If you think you want to work in the TV and film industry, but aren't exactly sure what kind of entry-level role would suit you, try looking through these ScreenSkills Job Profiles or try their Job Profile Matcher. It lets you select what kind of things you enjoy, and points you to the roles that could be a good fit.
Joining a TV or film production company or post-production house as a runner is one typical entry-level route into the industry. Working as a runner will expose you to lots of different aspects of TV and film, and help you figure out what kind of career path you're most interested in, as well as giving you a grounding in the fast-paced nature of TV and film.
How do I get started in the TV and film industry?
Here are some resources that'll help you understand the ins and outs of getting your first job in TV or film:
The ultimate guide to getting a job in television: This YouTube video from the Royal Television Society features 1 hour 9 minutes of expert advice, featuring professionals from the BBC, ITV Studios, thinkBIGGER! and more.
The Getting into TV Podcast from Tom Dix, an assistant producer at BBC Studios: there are loads of great episodes in this series, but we recommend starting with Being a runner: an introduction.
Are there any training schemes that'll help me get started in TV and film?
The ScreenSkills Trainee Finder scheme provides offers both training and paid placements. It's open to people with less than 12 months of paid work experience in the part of the TV and film industry that they want to build a career in. Applications to join the prorgramme are usually open from October to November each year.
Where should I look for jobs in TV and film?
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all advertise jobs on their own websites, and include salary info on all for their job ads. Bookmark these links, and sign up to email alerts from the sites if you can:
Here are some places that list jobs with lots of different employers, including runner jobs for production and post-production companies:
ScreenSkills has these links to places to find entry-level jobs in TV and film jobs.
This Careers Resource Directory from the Film & TV Educators' Network has a big list of links to websites to check and social media groups to join
People in TV: Runners (Facebook)
Loving Your Work (LinkedIn)
TV & Film Jobs (LinkedIn)
Look Beyond the List (LinkedIn).
A lot of jobs in TV and film are filled without ever making it onto a jobs board – instead the info gets shared in LinkedIn / Facebook groups and on company LinkedIn pages. And individual employees of companies that are hiring often post info about permanent jobs, freelance opportunities and callouts for CVs to add to talent databases. You'll need to be proactive in seeking out these roles.
Our top tip is to seek out the profiles of people who already work in the companies where you'd like to work, and FOLLOW them so that you see their posts in your feed. Follow is in bold caps because that's the best option, rather than Connect (which you should save for when you have a genuine reason to send a connection request to someone).
Are there any organisations or events that could help me start a career in TV and film?
The RTS Futures Careers Fair takes place in London each February.
These ScreenSkills online training sessions take place online and are completely free to join. Taking part in sessions like this helps to show future employers that you're actively building knowledge about the industry, and taking a proactive approach to developing your career.