Starting a career in the film industry can feel exciting, overwhelming and confusing all at once. There are hundreds of different roles across film and television production, and each department has its own expectations, career path and skill set. Because of this, the most important first step in your journey is simple but often overlooked: research.

It might sound boring compared to the excitement of being on set or working on a production, but skipping this stage can slow down your progress significantly. Too many aspiring filmmakers rush straight into applying for jobs before they truly understand what those jobs involve. This often leads to frustration, rejection and confusion about why applications are not successful.

We’ve supported aspiring film professionals to secure new careers for over 15 years, and we’ve found three key questions consistently determine whether someone can move forward effectively in their career.

First: Do You Know Which Entry-Level Film Job You Want?

The film industry is divided into departments such as camera, sound, production, art department, costume, lighting and post-production. Within each department there are several entry-level roles. Then there are the non-production roles like development, distribution, talent agencies etc.

For example, someone interested in production may aim to become a Production Assistant (PA), while someone interested in producing might want to focus on internships at a production company. Understanding, your chosen department is essential because it determines the type of experience, skills, and networking you need to build.

Too often we are told the immortal lines 'I want to be a director, writer, cameraperson and producer, anything creative!'. To put it simply, getting one job in the film industry is hard enough, trying to establish yourself in multiple is making life very very hard for yourself. We know your response 'but how do I know which career I want until I have done it and experienced it?' 

Well do your research and it will become obvious which are more suited to you. 

Second: Do you know the career path and entry level roles for your chosen job?

This is crucial. So many people say to us they want a career in development for instance but are busy applying for jobs on a film set. Why? The two are not connected. It is essential you focus on right jobs for your career path.

Third: Do you understand the skills, qualifications and experience required for that job?

Every role requires different technical skills and professional behaviours. Some departments prioritise technical training, while others value organisational skills, communication or creative ability. Researching job descriptions, speaking with professionals in the industry and reviewing successful CVs can help you identify what employers expect. When you know what is required, you can begin building the right experience rather than guessing.

Fourth: Do you know what a strong entry-level CV looks like for that job?

A CV for a camera trainee looks very different from one for a production assistant or assistant editor. Recruiters expect to see relevant experience, even if that experience comes from short films, student projects, independent productions or passion projects. A well-structured CV demonstrates that you understand the role and that you are serious about working in that department.

If you can confidently answer “yes” to all four of these questions, you are already ahead of many people trying to break into the industry. However, even then, having an experienced review of your CV and career strategy can reveal small but important improvements that make a big difference in competitive applications. 

If you cannot answer “yes” to these questions yet, that is completely normal. Everyone begins their career without knowing the full picture. The film industry can be difficult to understand from the outside because much of the information about career pathways is informal and based on personal experience. 

This is why guidance can make such a difference in the early stages of your career. When someone with industry knowledge reviews your goals, CV and experience, they can quickly identify what is missing and what steps will help you progress. 

The Rumsfeld Dilemma: Unknown Unknowns!

One of the biggest challenges when starting something new is that you don’t know what you don’t know. You may believe you are ready to apply for certain roles when in reality there are key experiences or skills still missing. Alternatively, you might underestimate yourself and delay applying for jobs you are already qualified for.

The purpose of proper research is to remove this uncertainty. When you understand the role you want, the skills required and the expectations of employers, your career journey becomes much clearer.

Instead of applying randomly to dozens of jobs, you can focus on building the right experience and preparing strong applications. This targeted approach saves time, reduces frustration and dramatically increases your chances of success.

Breaking into the film industry is challenging, but it becomes much easier when you start with the right foundation. Taking the time to research your chosen career path ensures that every step you take moves you closer to your first professional role.

The MFJF Career Service

If you want structured support while doing that, MFJF is designed to guide you through exactly this process. Use code BLOG to get 50% off your first PRO subscription.

From there, you’ll be able to access 1:1 mentoring sessions whenever you need, CV feedback, workshops, and industry guidance designed specifically for early-career filmmakers.

Get the guidance and support you need today: https://myfirstjobinfilm.com/UK/signup