A variety of opportunities is available to those working in video production. While some work on the film or TV show sets, others assist with live productions and broadcasts. And because video production skills are pretty broad, including things like attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, adaptability, immense creativity, and troubleshooting skills, there are tons of job roles worth considering as the field offers ample growth.
With this, you might be wondering how to get a job in video production and what opportunities are out there to look forward to.
Working in video production will be worth your while to obtain qualifications to help kickstart your career. Even though you can get an entry-level position and work your way up, qualifications boost your chances of starting in a well-paid position.
Video production degree programs focus on areas such as multimedia, digital video production, filmmaking, or broadcasting technology. So, you can expect degree programs to include studying topics like audio and video editing, lighting design, directing, producing, sound design, motion graphics, and several others.
Additionally, with the rise of AI video creation, programs are starting to include this cutting-edge technology in their curriculum, preparing students for the future of automated and AI-assisted video production.
Alternatively, you can also find an internship within the field and access highly relevant experience.
But with that said, if you are considering a career in video production, you’ll have the following career opportunities on your path.
Director
Many professionals in this field ambition to become directors, as it is one of the highest-paying opportunities out there for video production professionals. On average, directors make around $92,000 per year. However, this can increase dramatically depending on project successes; as we all know, celebrity directors take home pretty handsome paychecks.
Some of the highest-earning celeb directors include Gore Verbinski, David Yates, and Ridley Scott. And when it comes to job role responsibilities, directors are tasked with managing all personnel on set while also overseeing every detail of the production.
Videographer
Videographer vacancies can pay around $76,000 per annum. With responsibilities like handling the light and audio setup, filming, and even doing the final edits of projects, videographers address all areas of video production on their own.
Of course there is a long list of filming equipment you are going to need in order to become a successful filmmaker.
Especially for beginners, it might be a wise decision to rent filming equipment. This allows you to test, experiment, and find the options that align most closely with your vision and needs.
Beyond that, there are opportunities for videographers within companies, although many of these professionals choose to freelance.
Special Effects Coordinator
A special effects coordinator is a professional that both develops and executes various special effects during the filming and editing process. These professionals oversee the creation of special effects during pre-production processes as well.
They also set up and manage special effects rigs during production while assisting with the process of editing the final product. As a result, special effects coordinators are critical professionals in the field.
As a special effects coordinator, you can expect to earn around $66,000 per year. Nevertheless, this can also increase dramatically along with project success or accessing higher paid opportunities.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters get paid roughly $62,000 each year on average. These professionals are responsible for developing the storylines for projects and are also required to assist with most areas of video production projects.
Often, screenwriters start with initial script creations that include complex descriptions, sequences, and story scenes. These professionals also need to work closely with directors and performers to develop the script’s dialog, images, and actions.
Broadcast Technician
The average annual salary for a broadcast technician is around $54,000 per year. These video production professionals manage and operate equipment for radio and television broadcasts.
Location Manager
The primary responsibility of a location manager is to find filming locations. As a result, these professionals are not always considered vital role players in the video production process, although they can contribute enormously and make over $52,000 per year on average.
Location managers are expected to build and manage relationships, oversee filming logistics, and consider things such as time constraints, contracts, parking, travel, and others. Therefore, these professionals are exceptionally beneficial for large-scale filming projects.
Casting Assistant
A casting assistant earns around $48,000 per year on average and assists casting directors with the process of casting performers in different roles. Of course, these professionals can progress to casting directors as a growth opportunity.
Cinematographer
The average annual pay for a cinematographer is roughly $48,000 per year as well. These professionals are responsible for overseeing the entire camera crew, instructing camera operators, assisting with shots and angles, and overseeing the types of cameras used for filming. Often, cinematographers also specialize in animation or special effects.
Boom Operator
The boom operator is the individual responsible for operating the boom microphone required for audio capturing. That said, these professionals don’t just hold the boom; they also need to understand lighting and framing to avoid mishaps on set.
As a boom operator, you can make around $48,000 per year on average, and you can expect to work closely with sound mixers and act as a representation of the entire sound department during the process of filming.
Assistant Editor
As an assistant editor, you can bring home around $47,000 each year with the opportunity to progress to film editor and earn more. Nevertheless, assistant editors work with film editors by supporting their roles with admin, practical, and creative duties.
These duties include organizing footage for review, organizing workspaces, handling communications, and managing quite a bit of paperwork. Furthermore, as an editor, you will need to sort out some technical issues, oversee synchronization during filming, take notes on processes, and help with rough cuts and some creative decisions.
Video production can be a lucrative career choice. Because you don’t need a qualification behind your name to get a foot in this doorway, it’s one of many excellent options to make money in 2021; if you have video production skills, you can create your own YouTube videos, sell your content online, and create your own filming projects.
Nevertheless, whether you decide to pursue video production to make extra income as a freelancer or as a professional career path, be sure to consider relevant hiring trends in the industry to secure opportunities. And beyond that, video production is also a career choice that is exceptionally rewarding for creative individuals who have an inherent passion for film and everything that goes into creating a visual work of art.
To further enhance your qualifications for a career in video production, consider leveraging resources like ExamCollection to gain additional certifications and skills.
