Breaking into the Film Industry: The First Step.

Cudox
Feb 5, 2024
10 min read

So you have decided to join the exciting world of film? Great!

Whether you are just about to or have just finished school, looking at a change in career or just want to know more I will try to cover the first steps on how to get into the industry, what skills, training and certificates you can gain to better your chances and some of the departments you might find yourself looking at getting into.

One of the most common questions I get asked is "How can I get into the film industry?" And whether it's a feature film, commercials, Television series etc. there are a few avenues you can go.

Arguably the easiest way is to know somebody already in the industry who can give you a good reference.
University/Film School. There are a number of universities and even Tafe courses that will give you a certificate or degree in film, a good understanding of why things are done and possibly some contacts to get you on your way.
(In Australia) check out the official "Screen" websites for Australia and each of the states (I will provide links at the bottom of this post for easy access). You can find upcoming productions, and Crew listings. Depending on which department you want to get into, search for the HOD's (Often labeled as "Key") and send them an email, "Hey! my name is x and I'd love to get into the film industry!" don't expect a reply every time (especially if they are currently on a production as they generally have a lot on their plate already), but quite often you will be able to get some helpful advice. They may put you in contact with somebody or better still maybe even a start! Try to keep your email short and to the point, give a brief out lay of your skills and not too wordy.
Find out what studios are near you. Send them an email and ask for a production list, sometimes they will be able to pass on your resume to the HOD's of specific departments but not always. Not all states have major studios but I will provide some links below where I can.
www.Starnow.com! Starnow is a great place to get some experience. You will find a lot of no-low budget short films often advertised by film students or film enthusiasts looking for cast and crew. Don't expect to be paid from these with most offering "Deferred payment" (you wont be paid unless they manage to sell their project) They will normally at least offer some light meals/snacks and only go for a day or a weekend or 2. They are a great way to see what happens on a film set, what the different departments do and meet some creative people.
Crewing agencies. Just like the Screen websites these will have a list of crew with contact details you can contact or for a fee they can add you to their list where others who are looking for crew may contact you.
Production companies. Google local production companies and start sending resumes! There are a lot of companies who specialize in web content, commercials, Drone footage.

This is in no way a be/end-all list way but it will point you in the right direction.

What next?

This one's a bit of a read, so if you're not interested in reading about the different departments, you can click Here to skip straight to Certificates and licenses that might help.

So, you have a list of ways and resources on who to talk to and where to find information on productions. But it is a good idea to know what kind department you would like to push towards. If you have ever watched the credits at the end of a movie you have probably noticed there are Many departments, and hundreds, if not thousands of cast and crew on some of the larger productions.

Here (In no order of importance. Every department is important in their own right!) I will try to cover some of the departments I am more familiar with, but the list is FAR from complete. As the industry grows and technology advances new departments are created, some are amalgamated or split, and others are no longer in existence.

Runner:

Though not really a department of own, I feel in the context of this post they deserve special mention. This role is almost the definition of brand new to film and one of if not THE best place to start - In saying that there are those who love this role and would rather be here than any other. The good ones are praised by every department and do a lot of the legwork getting things to and from the various sets and locations or between departments. Here you will see a little piece of what every department does and a get broader view of the ins and outs. Great for networking with all the departments as you will more than likely be dealing with the majority of them through the life of a production.

Transport:

Love to drive? This is the place for you! Transport does what the name implies. Here you will be transporting cast and crew to and from set. You could be picking up Chris Hemsworth from the airport or driving cast and crew to and from set. Get a Truck license and you might be driving a Grip truck to Far North Queensland, or Alice Springs.

Construction:

They build the sets! There are Carpenters, Plasterers, Painters, Boilermakers, the list goes on. if its a trade they probably have them!

Art:

This is a very vague description but I felt I should add the title so it wasn't missed; a lot of departments fall under Art and will be covered under their own titles. Art is by far the largest of any departments and if its artsy it's probably a part of art. From set decorators to painters, props to Prac LX. its BIG

Set Decorators (Set Dec):

If you like interior design, this might be your calling. The bedroom of Queen Elizabeth, or the hospital ER Room. you put the things in the set to make it look believable!

Props:

The torches of the cave explorer. Cricket bat, ball and wickets for the backyard cricket. or fins for the diver. If you have any eye for detail this could be a great place for you.

Greens:

All about Horticulture, if you have a green thumb and don't mind getting dirty, why not get paid to do it?

Practical Electrics (Prac LX):

The finer side of lighting, Prac LX is responsible for the lights that you can see. if its a lamp on the bed side, or the pulsing lights on the side of a UFO. Most of those in Prac LX have a background in wiring or electricians. Not as much heavy lifting as LX or Rig LX, but just as important.

Rigging Electrics (Rig LX):

Often working hand in hand with the Rigging Grips with most of the lightning being flown from truss that's hung from the gantries, Rig LX set up the majority of the ambient lighting on any set and can spend weeks to months setting up the bigger lights and running in the power and data infrastructure for the onset lightning to be ready to shoot.

If you end up on the shooting crew in RIG LX, be prepared to hurry up and wait for hours and hours as you can sometimes see days of not a lot happening.

Lighting/Electrics (LX):

Where Rig LX Deals with a lot of infrastructure and ambient lightning and Prac LX are the lights you can see, LX is much more of a there and then as needed. They light the set as required during shooting. You might have a piece of polystyrene chasing an actor around to keep them lit up or flashing a torch in somebodies face.

Grips:

Grips varies across the world and it stands for General Rouseabout In Production. The best description I have heard was "Grips play a part in every thing to do with the camera that isn't the camera or lens. and in lighting that isn't a light". Examples for camera are Tracking Vehicles, Camera Cranes and Camera Dollies. Grips will be responsible for anything the camera is mounted to, Setting up the 20foot dolly track, pushing it around and swinging a crane arm around. Rigging a camera off the car and driving it around. and for lighting ; They help control the light. if its too harsh because of the sun they might have20x20 soft frost diffusion flown over head, or an entire house blacked out by covering it with black Denim. Also responsible for Blue and Green screens that need to be moved around set. Being mechanically minded can help immensely in this role and if that's you, then say no more!

Rigging Grips:

Rigging Grips work closely with Grips, Construction and Rig LX If anything needs to be rigged over head you call the riggers. Blue screens and Green screens and container walls that skirt the outside of a set, the scaffolding for the platform to film off of. They were there weeks or months prior to the onset film crew setting it all up. Again being mechanically minded can help with this role but a rigging ticket is a

Special Effects (SFX):

Big explosions! The eerie haze covering the floor of the haunted graveyard, or the Gimbal The Black Pearl rides on. Special effects is Cool!!

Costume:

The fancy dress of a royal or the tatted rags of a peasant. Costume has been sewing and ageing garments since the start of the production.

Armory:

Weapons. If its Guns and Mortar's for The Pacific, or swords, shields (And maybe chainmail? don't quote me on that one) for A Knights Tale. these guys are responsible.

Hair and Makeup:

Not all about Styling hair and making people pretty, sometimes you will be doing the opposite and the rotting flesh falling from the cheek of a zombie could be your handy work.

Camera:

Camera operator, First AC (Assistant camera), Second AC, Truck Loader. often you will start in the truck and as you learn the equipment you can move up the ranks to the glory of Camera Operator. or even Director of Photography (DOP)!

Marine Safety:

Not on every film set, but if there is a body of water you are filming in there will be marine safety. They have Scuba divers, life guards, boat drivers. Love the water? Marine Safety is for you.

Safety:

Unit:

Often the first to arrive and the last to leave. These guys are SUPER important! There will be riots if they are not around. Responsible for the life blood of a film set COFFEE!! Hot drinks, biscuits (yes! they always have biscuits!!) and amenities. you can thank these guys!

Caterers:

FOOD! They prepare your lunch and if you're in an onset role more often than not your breakfast too!! (Thats right! you get fed!!) Is it Pasta? Is it Roast lamb and vege? Who knows?! You do!

Crafties:

Similar to Caterers, they prepare and deliver lighter meals and snacks like sandwiches, burgers, noodle and rice bowls, springrolls and if we are really lucky we might even get ice cream!

Locations:

These guys are in charge of the locations, they scout out suitable locations for shooting. You could see yourself driving up to a vineyard on Mt Tambourine, or being flown to Hitchen Brooke Island in Far North Queensland. Its not all travel though, if somebody is going to get mad at you for walking off the beaten track it will be these guys. They want you to leave the location as you found it as best you can.

Stunts:

Not so much of an entry level department but if you are excited by the thought of jumping off a 5-story building or driving a car through a burning building, get started on working your way to being graded as soon as you can! Click Here for the requirements! It's a lengthy process!

Security:

Keeping people out and making sure the location and equipment is safe. Thats these guys!

Animal Wrangler:

Do you like Puppies and kittens? These guys train and look after the animals! that's their job! How great is that?!

Buyers:

Though also not a department of their own. many departments do have their own buyers. Construction might have you responsible for buying all the materials, Costume and Set Dec might have you thrifting or Op shopping for clothing or furniture from the 80's.

***As stated at the start of this section, this is in no way a complete list and is not meant as an Indepth description of each department. Please let me know if There is anything I should add or if I'm way off base with any of my descriptions. These descriptions are only from my understanding, and I am in no way an expert at Allll!!***

Certificates, Tickets, Licenses

Forklift! By far the most useful ticket you can get is for Forklift. at some point almost every department could use the aid some one who can drive a forklift, why not be that someone?

EWP (Under 11meters) more useful than the (Over 11meters) and almost a requirement -not quite but almost- for Rig Grips, Rig LX and LX, and very handy for construction, Grips, SFX, Greens.

EWP (Over 11meters) more situational than the (Under11meters) but still good to have. Rig Grips, Rig LX, LX, SFX, Construction, Grips.

Telescopic forklift/tele-handler. A forklift on steroids, you can extend your tines and drive over most rough terrain. again Rig Grips, Rig LX, LX, SFX, Construction, Grips, Greens,

Heavy Ridgid truck license. Always handy to have someone with a Heavy Ridgid license. Rig Grips, Rig LX, Grips, SFX, Unit, Transport.

Again, please let me know of any that are going to help!

And lastly,

The world of film is arguably the most diverse industry in the world, there are people from all walks of life and some of the most accepting and amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, working with and calling my friends.

Watch films and TV Series, pay attention to the costumes, the lighting, the way the camera moves, the sets. There is so much more to what's going on on screen than just the plot or characters and when you start to look at the finer details and think about all the hundreds of people that have come together and dedicated their time and expertise to make it happen you can really appreciate how much work goes into them.

Thanks for reading!

Websites:

QLD Studios:

Village Roadshow Studios (Gold Coast)

Screen Queensland Studios (Brisbane)

Screen Queensland have plans for studios to be built in Cairns and the Gold coast in the future*

NSW Studios:

Disney Studios Australia (Sydney)

Victoria Studios:

Docklands Studios (Melbourne)

South Australia Studios:

South Australian Film Corporation (Adelaide)

Tasmania Studios:

There are various production companies and smaller studios. The top google results are:

Roar Film (Hobart)

Adam Walker Film (Hobart)

Western Australia Studios:

"World Class Studios" are in the works for Freemantle in WA! At the time of this writing (4th February 2024) in the meantime there are various production companies and smaller studios. The top google results are:

Atlas Film Studios (Perth)

Limitless Studios (Perth)

Buffalo Film Studios (Perth)

Northern Territory Studios:

A little harder to find information but top results for production companies and smaller studios are:

Alice Springs Film and Television (Alice Springs)

Darwin Innovation Hub (Darwin)

Official Screen websites:

Screen Australia

Screen Queensland

Screenwest (Western Australia)

VicScreen (Victoria)