What Can You Do With a Film Degree? Top Careers and Industry Roles

Depending on your focus, a film degree can lead to potential careers in directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, film criticism and more. Graduates can work in film, television, advertising, media production or even academia.

In This Article:

• Is a Film Degree Worth It?
• Careers in Film 
• Film Degree Options for the Entertainment Industry at GCU

Is a Film Degree Worth It?

Only you can determine if pursuing a film degree could be worth it for you. Even if you’re not sure about your intended career path yet, you might decide to major in film simply because you’re passionate about this art form.

There are plenty of people with careers in film who earned film degrees, although it’s also possible to pursue a film-related career with a different academic background. 

Some celebrities who studied film-related subjects in college include:¹

• Spike Lee: Earned an MFA in film production
• Kathryn Bigelow: MFA in film
• George Lucas: BFA in film
• Terrance Malick: MFA in film
• Bong Joon Ho: Diploma from KAFA
• Denis Villeneuve: BA in film

Careers in Film

You have many options to consider — from the top-level job of director to the highly creative roles of the set and prop designers.

Bear in mind that many of these film-related jobs are not entry-level positions. In the entertainment industry, in particular, it’s quite common for future producers, directors and set designers to start out as assistants. On-the-job training and experience is critical for higher-level film roles.² Along the way, look for opportunities to volunteer for extra responsibilities to gain valuable hands-on experience.

1. Director

Directors hold an important place in the filmmaking industry. They are responsible for everything that occurs on set. As the main decision-maker, the director must possess a unique blend of creativity, leadership skills and technical proficiencies in various aspects of filmmaking.²

A director is responsible for bringing together a diverse range of elements to create a cohesive artistic vision. 

For example, the director makes decisions about the following:

• The look of each character
• How lighting will be used
• What props will be used
• How each scene unfolds
• How the screenplay is interpreted

An effective director can bring out the actors’ best performances and create a masterpiece.

2. Producer

Producers are responsible for all the off-set details of turning a script into a movie. Their job involves everything from identifying promising scripts and purchasing the rights to them to marketing the movie’s launch. 

Other common tasks of producers include the following:

• Securing funding for the film by liaising with investors and studios
• Establishing film budgets and keeping the entire project within the overall budget
• Setting the production schedule
• Hiring and managing personnel, including the director, talent and crew
• Supervising post-production, including movie editing and music composition

Producers rarely begin their careers as producers. Like many people in Hollywood, they tend to start out as interns or assistants. They might have also worked as background actors and in low-level and mid-level producer roles.³

3. Set Designer

On a movie shoot, the set refers to the physical surroundings. Some scenes might be shot on location. For example, a movie about a mountaineer might be shot on or near a mountain. Other scenes are shot on completely fabricated sets, such as partially built rooms.

It is the job of the set designer to take an idea for a set and turn it into realistic-looking surroundings for the film. The set, or environment, establishes the tone for the scene.

Set designers must be effective problem-solvers as well as creative artists. They must work within the vision of the director and producer while staying within the budget. Furthermore, set designers may need to do extensive research to ensure consistency. For example, a film set in the 1960s may require the set designer to research furnishings and décor from that era to create a realistic-looking set.

4. Prop Designer

The prop designer on a movie shoot is responsible for creating the props used in each scene. Like the set, the props for a film help the story come to life. The props can sometimes become as famous as the film and its actors. Think of the ruby slippers in “The Wizard of Oz” or the volleyball in “Cast Away.”

Every prop used in every scene must be aligned with the historical era the story is set in and the film’s production design. In addition to researching and designing the props, prop designers are also typically responsible for making them. The creation of props can involve sculpting, carpentry, welding, painting and sewing.

5. Film Editor

There are also careers in film that involve working on the movie after it’s been filmed. This stage of the filmmaking process is known as post-production. One post-production career you might consider pursuing is the role of film editor.

The way in which the raw footage of a film is ordered and assembled plays a significant role in the overall pace, mood and storytelling. The film editor is responsible for collaborating with the director and producers in order to develop a strong understanding of the artistic vision for the movie. Then, the film editor uses sophisticated editing software to cut, splice and rearrange the raw footage.

Traditionally, a film editor’s job begins when shooting ends and the movie enters the post-production phase. However, in some cases, a film editor may begin working with the raw footage even as the shooting continues. Sometimes, film editors may set up a temporary office close to the location so that they can begin working with the raw footage almost as soon as it’s created.

6. Screenwriter

Another behind-the-scenes career in the film industry is that of the screenwriter. Screenwriters are responsible for writing the scripts that are then turned into movies or TV shows. They create the storylines, develop the characters and figure out the plot.

Screenwriters often need to revise their work according to the feedback of other professionals working on the film, sometimes under tight deadlines. They often collaborate with directors, producers and other professionals.

If you decide to pursue a career in screenwriting, you might consider specializing in a specific genre. Some options include horror, action, comedy and fantasy.

Film Degree Options for the Entertainment Industry at GCU

Now that you have a better idea of some of the available film degree jobs, it’s time to think about your career pathway. Individuals in the film industry come from a wide background of fields and experience. Film degrees are designed to teach the skills needed for various areas of expertise.

Screenwriting Emphasis

If you are interested in working in the written aspects of film, consider a film degree with an emphasis in screenwriting. This degree gives a look into the world of writers and editors for film and provides plenty of opportunities to practice the craft of writing. 

Digital Film Production Emphasis

A digital film degree with an emphasis in production is another option to consider. This type of degree focuses on narrative storytelling and modern cinematography. You can expect to examine many different aspects of film production, including overseeing a film project through its life cycle, marketing and distributing the film, creating visual effects and many others. 

Editing and Visual Effects Emphasis

If you are interested in visual design, you might consider a film degree with an emphasis in editing and visual effects. In this program, students take classes in topics such as lighting and drone photography, advanced editing and visual effects and genre film writing and editing. This degree teaches students to refine their artistic expression by creating an understanding of film as it relates to culture and human expression. 

Pursue your passion for cinema at Grand Canyon University, where you can choose from an array of performing arts and digital arts degree programs. Enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Production, for example, or earn a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Screenwriting.