20 Exciting Careers to Pursue with a Filmmaking Degree

Are you curious about what you can do with a film degree? The dynamic world of movies, video and television offers a wealth of professional possibilities — over 2 million people work in jobs supported by the industry. So, is filmmaking a good career? For students weighing what to do with a film degree, the answer often comes down to range. Whether you’re drawn to the technical side of lighting and film editing or a more creative role in set design and cinematography, film major careers span a wide variety of paths.

Key Takeaways

• Filmmaking careers extend beyond the movie set into corporate video, social media, live events and marketing.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, producers and directors earn a median salary of $83,480, film editors $70,980 and camera operators $68,810.
• Live events are a genuine growth area, with concert and event promotion revenue growing 11.1% annually since 2021 to $58.6 billion (IBISWorld).
• Physical production has spread beyond LA and NY, with states like West Virginia offering film tax credits up to 31%.
• A filmmaking degree builds range, not one path. Marshall’s BFA pairs studio training with an internship for careers across the industry.

Where Does the Film Industry Stand Today?

The film industry looks different than it did even a few years ago, and being upfront about that helps prepare you for it. In February 2026, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a merger agreement to form a combined media and entertainment company, after Warner Bros. Discovery also weighed a competing deal with Netflix before ultimately moving forward with Paramount. Consolidation on this scale reshapes who greenlights projects, how many films get made and where jobs sit within the industry.

At the same time, streaming has changed which films make it to theaters at all. Mid-budget films — the kind that once gave new directors and original stories room to grow — have increasingly shifted toward streaming platforms rather than a traditional theatrical release. Current data suggests quality mid-budget films can still find a theatrical audience when studios commit to giving them a proper window.

None of this changes what makes someone valuable in this industry. Studios and production companies want people who can move across formats, adapt to new distribution models and bring hands-on skill to whatever screen the story ends up on. That’s exactly the kind of training we build into our filmmaking program, and it’s why understanding film degree jobs starts with understanding the industry you’re stepping into.

What Do Film Majors Study?

Film majors study far more than just film. The specifics vary by program, but a comprehensive curriculum typically includes:

• Film theory
• Film editing
• Screenwriting/playwriting
• Animation
• Special effects
• Photography
• Video art
• Motion design
• Acting
• Audio engineering
• Post-production

What Can You Do With a Film Degree?

If you’re asking what can I do with a film degree, the honest answer is more than most people expect. You can absolutely choose to work on movies and in television, but this degree carries just as well into any medium. Lead corporate video production, create social media content, direct live event coverage and work in marketing departments across nearly any industry, from advertising and public relations to journalism and higher education. That range is a big part of what makes film degree jobs so varied. It’s also why so many people ask what jobs you can get with a film degree long after graduation.

Popular career areas include:

• Acting/directing
• Production
• Editing
• Makeup/props
• Lighting
• Sound
• Marketing
• Social media content
• Corporate video
• Logistics
• Writing

Careers to Pursue with a Filmmaking Degree

If you’re chasing a traditional on-set role or one of the growing number of adjacent careers built around video, here are some of the most common paths for graduates with a filmmaking degree, plus what each one tends to pay.

Actor

While many actors pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, Theater or Drama, a filmmaking degree can provide industry knowledge and insights that can enrich your overall film comprehension and influence the choices you make in front of the camera. If you’re interested in acting but you’re also open to other careers in the industry, a filmmaking degree is probably the right fit. The median hourly wage for actors was $23.33 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Animator

An animator crafts a series of images that, when displayed in quick succession, create the illusion of movement, a process known as animation. These roles aren’t just for cartoons, but are available within sports teams, media and entertainment companies, retailers, technology enterprises, gaming companies and social media platforms. The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $99,800 in May 2024, per the BLS.

Camera Operator

As the name implies, a camera operator captures images or video with highly specialized equipment. In this type of position, you could work for a film company, television production studio, a news network, advertising agency or sports entertainment company. The median annual wage for film and video editors and camera operators was $70,570 in May 2024, per the BLS.

Cinematographer

A cinematographer is typically in charge of the overall feel and style of a film or show. They work closely with the directing and production teams and other key departments to bring the project vision to life. Responsibilities may include helping with lighting or camera setup, assisting with camera angles and framing shots, and solving technical issues and challenges as they arise. The BLS groups cinematographers with camera operators, where the median annual wage sits at $70,570.

Corporate Videographer/Editor

Not every filmmaking career leads to Hollywood. Companies across every industry now produce their own video content — training modules, product demos, recruiting videos, internal communications — and need people who can shoot and edit it. This role gives graduates a stable, in-house alternative to freelance production work. The average annual pay for a corporate videographer is $63,930, according to ZipRecruiter.

Digital Artist

A digital artist is similar to a graphic designer but, instead of designing static images, uses online tools and computer software to create video and graphics with motion. In this position, your work could involve short films, websites, social media platforms, advertisements and video games. This role falls under the BLS’s special effects artists and animators category, with a median annual wage of $99,800.

Director

A director is involved in every stage of a film’s creation and wears many hats, including establishing a film’s tone and voice, working with departments on set, reviewing and adjusting the script, watching auditions and choosing actors, overseeing all aspects of production, and much more. The median annual wage for producers and directors was $83,480 in May 2024, per the BLS.

Documentary Filmmaker

This type of filmmaking focuses on narrative journalism, nonfiction stories and real-life experiences. Your goal may be to highlight a particular problem or issue, document a person’s life or visit a historical event. Some of the most popular documentaries chronicle everything from major historical events and true crime to social justice issues and celebrity profiles. Documentary filmmakers fall under the same producers and directors category, with a median annual wage of $83,480.

Educational Media Designer

Learning modules, educational video content and how-to videos are all examples of multimedia content you may create as an educational media designer. In this position, you’ll design learning resources for public schools, higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more. Instructional coordinators had a median annual wage of $74,720 in May 2024, per the BLS — the closest tracked category to this role.

Entertainment Marketer

Beyond promoting a single film, entertainment marketers build campaigns across streaming platforms, gaming and brand partnerships within the media industry. This broader field draws on the same storytelling instincts as film marketing but applies them across a wider set of platforms and clients. The median annual wage for advertising, promotions and marketing managers was $159,660 in May 2024. Entry-level entertainment marketing roles typically start well below these management-level figures.

Film Archivist

If you enjoy preserving the historical aspects of filmmaking, consider becoming a film archivist. This position allows you to obtain film, television shows or other forms of video, determine whether they fit your archiving criteria and catalog them according to certain specifications. Film archivists work at a variety of companies, including film studios, government agencies, libraries and TV stations. The median annual wage for archivists, curators, and museum workers was $57,100 in May 2024, per the BLS.

Film Crew

The crew is a crucial component of any successful production, and the responsibilities will likely vary depending on the circumstances. For example, you may work with lighting experts, help develop set designs or assist with equipment setup. The term “film crew” may also encompass other positions such as assistant director or the head of a department, such as hair and makeup. Pay varies widely by role and production budget, from entry-level production assistant work to department-head rates.

Film Critic/Reviewer

Love watching films? A film reviewer typically watches new films ahead of their release, whereas a critic analyzes a film, sometimes even years after it’s been out. Both positions require attention to detail, good communication, solid analytical skills, insight and knowledge of the film industry. The average annual pay for a film critic is $37,714, according to ZipRecruiter, though top critics at major outlets earn considerably more.

Film Editor

In this role, your main responsibility will be to compile raw film footage into the final edit. This includes incorporating all visual and audio aspects, such as music, graphics and animation, and deciding which scenes and takes to include. The median annual wage for film and video editors was $70,980 in May 2024, per the BLS.

Film Marketer

If you’re interested in advertising, media campaigns and film, a related marketing role might be the answer. As a film marketer, you may work on movie trailers, help create advertising campaigns and coordinate publicity events and promotions to promote the film and create audience buzz. This role falls under the BLS’s advertising and promotions managers category, with a median annual wage of $159,660.

Film Professor

For those who value teaching, working as a film educator, instructor or professor allows you to connect with students over a love of film. Colleges, universities and high schools hire qualified professionals with college degrees. You will need to obtain a teaching license to work in a public school, and many higher education institutions may require a master’s degree. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $93,440 for postsecondary art, drama and music teachers.

Interactive Media Designer

This design position works with animation, sound, visual effects and other digital media to create everything from games to websites. You may also work with virtual reality and augmented reality applications, visual design and interactive features like games and quizzes. This role also falls under the BLS’s multimedia artists and animators category, with a median annual wage of $78,790.

Lighting Technician

As a lighting technician, you help set up, program and operate lighting equipment during filming. You may help install a lighting system, conduct repairs and confer with others to determine what lighting techniques and positions are needed. Lighting technicians work for a variety of companies, including broadcast networks, theaters and concert venues. The BLS lists lighting technicians among broadcast, sound and lighting technicians, with a mean annual wage of about $56,600.

Live Event Producer/Technical Director

Concerts, corporate conferences, award shows and livestreamed events all need someone who can manage cameras, staging, lighting and run-of-show logistics in real time. This role draws directly on production skills learned in a filmmaking program, applied to a live setting instead of a recorded one. The median annual wage for meeting, convention, and event planners was $59,440 in May 2024, per the BLS, with technical-director-specific roles often paying more depending on production scale.

Location Manager

A location manager is in charge of finding, securing and maintaining a set location for filming. Responsibilities might include scouting locations, securing the appropriate permits, collaborating with other key members of the production team and negotiating contracts with the property owners. The average location manager salary within the film industry specifically is $109,525, according to Salary.com.

Screenwriter

This type of writer has a knack for the written word and the ability to tell a story effectively within the screenwriting format. A screenwriter may create an original script or adapt an existing tale from a book or theatrical production. The role may include research, character development, working closely with the director and producer and revising the script as needed. The median annual wage for writers and authors was $72,270 in May 2024, per the BLS, the closest tracked category for screenwriters.

Set Designer

From suburban neighborhoods and bustling corporate offices to alternate realities and magical kingdoms, a film’s set adds another layer of visual storytelling and can make or break a production. As a set designer, you’ll work closely with the production team to ensure that all aspects of the set meet the film’s creative vision. Responsibilities typically include overseeing the construction of set pieces and securing props and furniture. The average annual pay for a set designer is $64,069, according to ZipRecruiter.

Social Media Producer

Brands, studios and streaming platforms all need short-form video built specifically for social feeds — trailers cut for TikTok, behind-the-scenes content for Instagram, franchise marketing built entirely around shareability. This is one of the fastest-growing adjacent paths for filmmaking graduates, since it applies the same visual storytelling and editing skills to a different distribution channel. The average annual pay for a social media specialist is $54,455, according to ZipRecruiter.

Video Game Designer

Video gaming is now a $205 billion industry. In this role, you can combine your interest in video games and design with your ability to create visual content that impacts character design, world-building, narrative flow, and gameplay mechanics. The average salary for a video game designer is $99,894 according to Indeed.

Who Hires Film Majors?

A film major allows you the opportunity to secure a job at a variety of companies and organizations, including:

• Film production companies
• Broadcast networks
• Colleges and universities
• Public relations firms
• Marketing agencies
• Sports teams
• Entertainment or media companies

Many businesses and organizations have relevant video or film positions within their marketing or public relations departments. For example, Apple’s marketing department has areas of work that include production, creative operations, and video and motion graphics.

Other companies that are hiring film-related positions include:

• Live Nation Entertainment
• The Walt Disney Company
• Yale University
• Netflix
• Amazon MGM Studios
• NBCUniversal
• Warner Bros. Discovery
• Major League Baseball
• National Football League
• Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
• TKO Group Holdings (WWE)

Do You Have to Work in LA or New York to Have a Career in Film?

While Los Angeles and New York remain the industry’s creative and corporate centers, physical production has spread across the country. States offer competitive tax incentives to attract film and TV projects, and cities including Atlanta, Austin and Chicago have built real infrastructure to support them. Georgia’s film industry alone spent $2.6 billion in the Atlanta metro area in 2024, and Chicago has become a steady hub for both studio productions and streaming projects.

West Virginia is also part of that shift. The state offers a 27% to 31% transferable tax credit on qualified in-state production and post-production spending, and it’s already attracted major productions. We Are Marshall was filmed right here on our own campus. Netflix has continued expanding production in West Virginia in recent years, drawn by the same regional infrastructure and incentives that make the state increasingly competitive with larger markets.

Remote and virtual production workflows have widened the map even further. Editing, animation, sound design and visual effects work can often happen from anywhere with the right software and a reliable connection, which means a film career no longer requires relocating to a coastal media hub before you’ve even graduated.

Should You Major in Film?

The industry looks different than it did even a few years ago, but a filmmaking degree still opens far more doors than the traditional list of on-set titles suggests. From production companies and broadcast networks to corporate video teams, social media production, live events and postsecondary teaching, the versatility of this degree is what makes it worth pursuing.

Consolidation among major studios, the ongoing shift toward streaming, and the rise of production hubs outside Los Angeles and New York all mean today’s film majors need to be adaptable.

This major is ideal for anyone who is both passionate and adaptable. Filmmaking combines creative and technical skill, and the right undergraduate program should reflect that reality with a curriculum built for the industry as it actually exists today, not as it looked a decade ago.

FAQs

Is a filmmaking major difficult to pursue?

An education in filmmaking is as challenging as you make it, depending on your background and interests. Students with strong technical instincts may find editing or cinematography straightforward, while others need more practice building those skills. Your study habits, ability to pick up new software quickly and the specific program’s curriculum all shape how difficult the major feels day to day.

What is a typical film major salary?

Film major salaries vary widely by role, from around $57,100 for archivists to more than $83,480 for producers and directors, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Camera operators and film editors typically earn in the high $60,000s to low $70,000s, while marketing and management-track roles can pay well over $100,000. Location, employer size and experience level all shift these numbers considerably.

What is the average screenwriter salary?

Screenwriters fall under the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics category for writers and authors, which reported a median annual wage of $72,270 in May 2024. Pay varies significantly by project type, since screenwriters working on studio features or streaming series often earn far more than those writing for smaller independent productions. Many screenwriters also work freelance rather than salaried.

What is the average film director salary?

Directors fall under the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics category for producers and directors, which reported a median annual wage of $83,480 in May 2024. Pay increases significantly with experience and project scale, since directors typically work on a per-project basis rather than a salaried structure. Established directors working on major studio productions can earn well beyond this median figure.

What’s the difference between a film degree and a video production degree?

A film degree, often a Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasizes creative storytelling, cinematography, screenwriting and directing within a studio art framework. A video production degree typically focuses more on the technical and broadcast side of video, such as camera operation, editing and content creation for television, corporate or digital platforms. Many programs, including at Marshall University, blend both approaches.

What skills do employers look for in film graduates?

Employers look for a mix of technical and creative skills, including:

• Camera operation and lighting
• Editing software proficiency
• Storytelling and script development
• Project management and collaboration

A strong portfolio or demo reel showing finished work often matters more to employers than coursework alone.

What is the job outlook for film and video careers?

Growth varies by role, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a generally positive outlook across film and video careers. Producers and directors are projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, while camera operators and film and video editors are projected to grow 3% over the same period. Rising demand for video content across streaming, corporate and live event platforms continues to support job creation industry-wide.