THE

ULTIMATE
FILM
CAREER
GUIDE
OUTLINE

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04 05
07
08
OVERVIEW
Industry 101
Prospective Highlights
Future of Work

09 10
11
12
CAREER LIBRARY
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production
13 Makeup & Costume
14 Distribution & Marketing

15 16
17
18
CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY
Novice Strategy
Alumni Strategy
Expert Strategy

19 22
25
28
GETTING STARTED
Pinpoint Your Passion for Film
Learn The Industry
Identify Your Skills
35 Brand Research
36 Set Your Career Goals
38 General Rules of Exploration

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OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY 101
PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE OF WORK

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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.

OVERVIEW 5 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 6 SPECIAL OFFER

 $7.4 BILLION - 1999

$11.3 BILLION - 2019

In 2021, Disney was the $4.5 BILLION - 2021

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.
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.

PROSPECTIVE
HIGHLIGHTS

423,000 LARGEST
PEOPLE BOX OFFICE
As of 2022, the MARKET
North American China was the
film industry largest box office
employed around market in the world
423,000 people. in 2021. The U.S.
and Canada ranked
second.

OVERVIEW 7 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;
OVERVIEW
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.
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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.

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 INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
YAHLIN CHANG
Executive Producer/Writer
of The Handmaid’s Tale

CAREERS IN PRE-PRODUCTION
Screenwriter
Storyboard Artist
Executive Producer
Producer
Associate Producer
Casting Director
Casting Assistant

CAREER LIBRARY 10 SPECIAL OFFER

 INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
JUDD APATOW
Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter,
Girls, The King of Staten Island,
Anchorman, and Bridesmaids

CAREERS IN PRODUCTION
Film Director Extra
First Assistant Director Stunt Coordinator
Second Assistant Director Director of Photographer
Production Designer Cinematographer
Production Assistant Gaffer
Script Supervisor Key Grip
Line Producer Boom Operator
Location Manager Props Master
Leading Actor/Actress Assistant Props Master

CAREER LIBRARY 11 SPECIAL OFFER

 INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
ANG LEE
Filmmaker
Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain, and
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

CAREERS IN POST-PRODUCTION
Film Editor Sound Mixer
Assistant Editor Production Sound Mixer
Music Supervisor ADR Mixer
Post Supervisor ADR Recording
Composer Foley Engineer
Sound Designer Foley Artist

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 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

Makeup Artist
Assistant Makeup Artist
Special/Visual Effects Artist
Costumer Designer
Wardrobe Stylist
Hair Stylist

CAREER LIBRARY 13 SPECIAL OFFER

 INDUSTRY EXPERT HIGHLIGHT
EBONY RHODES
OUTshine LBGTQ + Film Festival
Board Member

CAREERS IN MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION

Distribution Executive
Sales Agent
Film Publicist
Publicity Director
Publicity Assistant
Marketing Director
Marketing Assistant
Communications Director
Communications Coordinator
Social Marketing Coordinator
Festival Programmer

CAREER LIBRARY 14 SPECIAL OFFER

 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.

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

CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY 16 SPECIAL OFFER

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

Revise and
tailor your resume
+ cover letter

CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY 17 SPECIAL OFFER

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

CAREER PLANNING STRATEGY 18 SPECIAL OFFER

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

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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 20 SPECIAL OFFER

 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.

DISCOVER
Dig into your interests,
personal values, skills,
work environment
preferences, lifestyle, ACT
and job responsibilities Get hands-on
to identify different experience from
fields within the internships, projects,
industry you’re volunteering, job
passionate about. opportunities related to
your evaluation.

It’s important to practice a growth

mindset and be open to exploring your
passions, interests, wants, and needs.

GETTING STARTED 21 SPECIAL OFFER

 CAREER PREP

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.

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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.

1
During my
2
I’m energized by...
3
Naturally,
free time, I... I’m good at...

4
I’m an expert at...
5
I like learning
6
I’m obsessed with
about... film because...

7
If I can learn
anything about
film, it’d be...

PINPOINT YOUR PASSION 23 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 24 SPECIAL OFFER

 CAREER PREP

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!).

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 first film

LEARN THE INDUSTRY 26 SPECIAL OFFER

LEARN THE INDUSTRY 27 SPECIAL OFFER
 CAREER PREP

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.

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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

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

IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS 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

PRODUCTION

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

IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS 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

POST-PRODUCTION

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

IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS 31 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

MAKEUP & COSTUME

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

IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS 32 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

MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION

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

IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS 33 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.

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

BRAND RESEARCH 35 SPECIAL OFFER

 CAREER PREP

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.

SET YOUR CAREER GOALS 36 SPECIAL OFFER

 ACADEMICS

EXPERIENCE

BARRIERS

OTHER FACTORS

CAREER GOALS

SET YOUR CAREER GOALS 37 SPECIAL OFFER

GENERAL RULES OF CAREER
EXPLORATION WITHIN
THE FILM INDUSTRY

EXPLORE BUILD START

Take time to Each opportunity Beginning allows
explore how your you take on builds you to build a
interests and skills a foundation of wide range of
intersect with applicable skills experiences,
different career for the next explore various
paths in the film opportunity. fields, and give you
industry. This will room to change
help you holistically your mind or pivot
understand the along the way.
whole industry and
communicate your
value to future
employers.

GENERAL RULES 38 SPECIAL OFFER

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.

39 SPECIAL OFFER
STATISTA | STATISTICS & FACTS
https://www.statista.com/topics/964/film/

NEWSROOM | ARTS & CULTURE

https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/hollywood-diversity-
report-2022/

RESOURCES 40 SPECIAL OFFER

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.

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ACHIEVE THEIR CALLING
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and brands, we create educational
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advancement, and open doors to fulfilling
paths for our students.

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