Career In Film Industry

To be part of the Film industry an intense interest in the visual medium, a creative outlook, talent, skill and determination are required. Everybody who enters this sector generally does it of his /her own choice and hence the motivation is high. Chances of success and failure are evenly balanced hence an ability to take risks , withstand stress , bear with critics will essentially be required. People who opt for the medium seek self expression hence success could be immensely satisfying.

Introduction

Films have been the most popular medium of entertainment. Bollywood has of late been gaining popularity in several countries . The entertainment industry is expected to cross the 100,000 crore mark by the next decade as this sector is growing at a steady pace with the music industry touching the 3.5 thousand crore mark. Film and television software exports have seen an upturn and infotainment programmes are gaining popular appeal. The charm of the glamour industry has been alive and shall continue to attract the creative performers within its fold.

Nature of work

There are several types of films which are being made such as documentaries, commercial films , art films, offering many opportunities to creative directors , producers and artists .

Film making involves the following three stages.

Pre-production - The film is conceptualised , theme finalised and story line discussed. The producer manages the finance for the production. A director is appointed,the cast selected and the crew commissioned. Crew generally includes camera team, cinematographer, manager production, location manager, estate manager, set designer and art director, boom operator, sound technicians . The shooting locales are decided , equipment requisitioned , shooting schedule decided and budget alloted as per the shoot costing.

Production - This is the real stage of shooting and film making when the entire team is engrossed in the production process. The shots are taken under the Directors supervision.

Post-production - This is the stage of finishing - shots have to be processed in the film laboratory. Visual editing, sound recording, dubbing , titles and special effects are done at this stage.

Film producer

The entire concept of a film is that of its producer. Often reflecting on current social and political issues, books and novels, biographies or real life events, film producers hit upon ideas which can be translated into a film/ serial for the large or for the small screen. They commision script writers to write the screen play, identify the cast, locations for the film shooting ,hire the director and the crew. They arrange to get the film financed . They monitor the entire production process .

Production manager

The production manager is the producer's assistant who handles and manages the real and knitty gritty tasks during the shooting and the day-to-day problems. He is involved in the entire project from the conception to its final stage. He ensures that the equipments , crew are on the sets , executes contracts and oversees the entire functioning on the sets.

Production assistants

PA's make booking for hotels and flights for crews, requisition and get equipment installed and assist the production manager.

Researchers

Research involves going through film archives for relevant material. Historical details are also researched both for factual information and appropriate set location and design .

Film Director
Directors job is to visualise the play or script , advise , audition and select the cast. They guide the actors, give advice for acting, voice and movement , see rehearsals, and guide the camera crew. They give direction for setting up the props,set design, costumes etc.He decides how best to use the technical and artistic resources available. The director is in complete charge of the studio or location floor and manages every aspect of the creative medium.
He may have assistant directors to work on different sections of the filming.

Lighting/Cameraman

The cinematographer or director of photography is in charge of the camera and lighting. The cameraman manages the physical details of each shot.

Sound professionals

Sound engineering professionals work both on location to record the dialogues and in a sound studio where the sound tracks are set, music added and dubbing done Sound Mixer records the sound on location .

Editor

After the film is shot, the editor's job is to cut, edit and assemble the picture. An editor's job is very important - as he has the capacity to correct weak or bad shots or enhance a good one. The editor usually has assistants to put location sound to picture for viewing and to join the cuts together under the supervision of the editor. They keep records of each shot.

Work Conditions

Long working hours

Considerable waiting may be required because actors must wait for parts or filming schedules

Frequent travel.

Evening work is a regular part of an actor's life

Flawless performances require tedious memorising of lines and repetitive rehearsals

An actor needs stamina to withstand the heat of stage or studio lights, the long, irregular hours, and the adverse weather conditions that may exist 'on location.

Actors often face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work.

Directors and producers often work under stress as they try to meet schedules, stay within budgets, and resolve personnel problems.

Personal Qualities

In the film industry reaching a goal takes years and bundles of Patience, commitment and perseverance

A strong will, determination and love for what you are doing will be needed to continue after many rejections.

Working on a production, you have to function as a member of a team.

Work takes long hours, including evenings and weekends, sometimes in bad weather.

You need to stay calm under pressure, be creative and open to new ideas and suggestions.

Breaking into the film industry is not easy, no matter how much training you have.

There is a lot of competition for jobs. You need to be aggressive, adaptable and determined.

You have to keep trying - without that determination and perseverance chances of succeeding are low.

Courses

Direction

Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune 411004
Courses
Basic Course in Film & Television (1 year)

Certificate/Diploma in Film Direction (Film & Television)

Eligibility : Graduation in any discipline.
Selection - Candidates have to clear the written test, aptitude test and interview. Test is held at Allahabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram.
Instruction medium - English

Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Chennai.
This institute conducts degree courses in Direction

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC 14/15, Film Centre, Sector 16A, Noida 201301 U.P.
Course - Duration 3 months and covers the following

Production and Direction & TV Journalism

Academy 18, Studio Kabuki, F-7, Sector 16A, NOIDA 201301
Courses - T.V. Journalism - duration 6 months
T.V. Production & Direction - duration 6 months
Course content includes learning programme formats, production methods with hands on training.

Satyajit Ray Film and T.V. Institute - E.M. Bypass Road, P.O. Garia Calcutta-94 an academic Institution of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Course in Direction duration 2 years

Cinematography

Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune 411004

Basic Course in Film & Television (1 year)

Certificate/Diploma in Cinematography (Film & Television),

Selection - Candidates have to clear the written test, aptitude test and interview. Test is held at Allahabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram.
Instruction medium - English

Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Chennai.
This institute conducts degree course in cinematography of 3 years duration. Those who wish to do cinematography should have studied Physics and chemistry at the +2 stage.

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC 14/15, Film Centre, Sector 16A, Noida 201301 U.P.
Course - Camera & Lighting Techniques Duration 3 months

Satyajit Ray Film and T.V. Institute - E.M. Bypass Road, P.O. Garia Calcutta-94
Course duration 2 years

Motion Picture photography

Audiography

Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune 411004

Basic Course in Film & Television (1 year)

Certificate/Diploma in Audiography (Film & Television)

For specialising in Audiography students with 10+2 with Physics are eligible.
Selection - Candidates have to clear the written test, aptitude test and interview. Test is held at Allahabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram.
Instruction medium - English

Film Processing & Film Editing
Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Chennai.
This institute conducts diploma courses in Film Processing and Film editing.

Satyajit Ray Film and T.V. Institute - E.M. Bypass Road, P.O. Garia Calcutta-94
Course duration 2 years

Film Editing including Video

This is an academic Institution of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Sound Recording & Sound Engineering

Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Chennai.
This institute conducts diploma courses in Sound recording and engineering.

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC 14/15, Film Centre, Sector 16A, Noida 201301 U.P.
Course - Duration 3 months and covers the following
Video Editing and Sound Recording

Acting

Asian Academy of Film and Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC 14/15, Film Centre, Sector 16A, Noida 201301 U.P.
Acting & Presentation 3 months

Imago Acting School, Brahma Studio, Film City, Noida, UP - Full time, Diploma course and part time certificate courses in Acting.

Bharatiya Natya Academy, Lucknow Diploma in Acting, 2 years for graduates

National School of Drama, Bhavalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi-110001 Diploma in Dramatic Arts after Graduation