How to Become a Film Maker: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Scope, Jobs, Salary 2023

Film Makers are professionals who are incharge of creating, developing various movie productions. Film Making as a career allows an individual to not only use their leadership skills but simultaneously allows them to explore their creative skills to direct motion pictures. A Film Maker, also termed as a moviemaker, is in charge of working in all phases of a movie production. Film Making is considered as one of the most lucrative jobs, considering the high salary it renders after becoming relevant and recognised name. 

In order to become a Film Maker, students can opt for various Undergraduate and Postgraduate Film Making courses. Admission to Certificate and Diploma film-making courses is direct, by simply enrolling in the course. India has some of the top Film Making Colleges who offer UG and PG in filmmaking course. Admissions to these courses are usually done on the basis of merit of class 12th or graduation, or common state/national level Fim Making Entrance Exams like BHU UET, DUET, AMUET, etc. 

Film Making Course Fees usually varies in between INR 10,000 - INR 4,00,000. The job scope for filmmakers is not limited but has a huge scope. A filmmaker is a self employed person, he can work as much as he wants and earn as much money as he wants. The earning for the filmmakers vary from one film to another while on an average the salary varies in between INR 10 LPA – 15 LPARead More: Film Maker Salary

Industry Entertainment Industry
Eligibility 10+2 (from any stream)
Average Starting Salary Rs 1-2 LPA
Job Opportunity Independent, Yash Raj Films, UTV Motion Pictures, Dharma Productions etc.

Who is a Film Maker

A Film Maker is a person who is in charge of creating, leading, and developing movie productions. Following Filmmaker as a career allows aspirants to use their creative , leadership and critical thinking skills to direct various films.

Filmmakers shoot films, motion pictures, advertisements etc with leading actors and actresses. Filmmakers are the backbone of any movie and manage all the work behind the screen.

Check Out: Top Filmmaking Colleges in India

What Does a Film Maker Do

There are a list of activities that are performed by a Film Maker, some of them are listed below for your reference,

  • Filmmaker is a person who comes up with ideas, write scripts, raise money, find location, audition actors and direct the film.
  • Film Makers are in charge of every aspect of film production.
  • Filmmakers help artists showcase their talents on screen.

Find More: About Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)

Types of Film Makers

The study of filmmaking does not restrict your job profile to be a film producer only. Filmmaking also helps one to follow other professions such as the following, 

  • Casting Director: A casting director is a person who helps several actors and actresses to perform in a film. A casting director is a person who gathers various people for an audition and casts them in a film. They are closely related to producers, directors and actors and help in bridging the gap between them.
  • Film Editor: As a film editor, you have to design, film and edit a large number of patient stories together with the learning script that drive organizational goals, often with tight deadlines, in a constantly changing production landscape and are able to bring different projects under one roof. including the coordination of pre-production work.
  • Cinematographer: A cinematographer, also known as a cameraman, can be defined as a head cameraman and lighting crew working on a movie, entertainment television production, news, sports, etc., or other form of live production. The work of the directors involves making artistic and technical decisions related to the image. The area is called cinematography.
  • Dancing Director: Aspirants who have pursued a degree in BFA or BA Fine Arts are also eligible to be dance directors. A film is incomplete without a choreographer as it has become an integral part in the cinematic universe these days. Choreographers are people who overlook the dancing numbers and songs in any film. They run rehearsals and help in perfectioning the presentation of songs in a film.
  • Film Director: After a formal education and degree, film direction is the most common route for someone aiming to become a filmmaker. Filmmakers are the creative heads of a film. They oversee everything starting from direction, production, music, dance, actors etc in a movie. In addition to a formal educational undergraduate degree, a filmmaker must also possess excessive creativity and analytical thinking skills to think and create a good movie.
  • Film Producer: A film producer is a person who oversees the works relating to producing a film. They arrange finances for the film and secure funding and monetary resources for creating the film along with the directors The work of a producer also continues after the release of the film as they have to run tests with audiences, screening and promotions.
  • Music Director: Their job role is to select music to perform, arrange performances and work with musicians as per the needs of the films. They lead rehearsals and performances. They are often also responsible for many of the administrative details of leading the musical group. Music Directors have to work closely with directors and producers to understand the demand of the film and deliver as per the same.

Read More: Film Production Courses

Role of a Film Makers

Filmmaking is not an easy task, it might sound very interesting and easy, but it requires a lot of people, a lot of hardwork and a lot of patience apart from the quality of vision. Hence the roles of the Filmmakers are pretty defined here, 

  • Scripting: Filmmaking involves effective communication - the smooth delivery of the idea or story to the audience. Filmmakers can get their story from different places or write it themselves. Based on a real-world idea, hire a writer to develop the script, buy one from a scriptwriter, or adapt the idea from a book or play.
  • Casting: Who will deliver the tale efficiently to the audience? Obviously, the cast– it’s the filmmakers’ obligation to locate the proper solid and determine their roles. Guiding the actors and helping them all through the film is likewise the filmmakers’ obligation.
  • Financing: Idea and the script are the muse on which filmmakers estimate the price range of the film. It’s instead a monetary roadmap of changing the script into a real movie, for example, paying the crew, renting devices and studios, finalizing the location, and lots more. On the premise of the price range, filmmakers can determine monetary assets for the extra cost – whether or not it’ll be from their personal pockets, a third-celebration funding, etc.
  • Hiring People: The film simply doesn’t quit with hiring the actors, it additionally entails hiring make-up artists, choreographers, musicians, editors, directors, marketers, stunt performers, and absolutely each person required withinside the manufacturing and advent of the film.
  • Pre Production: Selecting movie locations, getting props, setting up the capturing schedule, coordinating with the forged and group are a number of the levels concerned in pre-production (earlier than the real shoot commences). The filmmaker ought to make sure that every one elements required for generating the movie are in order.
  • Production: This is the real implementation of the script – the section of real filming. Here, the filmmaker is accountable for coping with the cast, making sure that the whole lot is in the budget, scheduling scenes, and most significantly developing a film withinside the supposed fashion and format.
  • Post Production: The technical segment in which coping with the editors, unique effects, lights, music, and lots greater commences. Here the filmmakers carry out the actual essence of the film to make it prepared for release.
  • Releasing the Film: The job of the fIlmmaker does not end here, it also continues unless the film is released. They filmmakers need to decide on the release date, coordinating with PR and advertising agencies. They need to decide the location for hosting the event for releasing the film, and release the film on time with proper publicity. 

Check Out: MA in Film Studies 

Eligibility to Become a Film Maker 

Candidates who are strong willing to do films and be in the film industry must opt to become a filmmaker. Here are the eligibility criteria to become a filmmaker, 

  • The very basic eligibility is that you must have assisted any director or producer at least once
  • A bachelor’s degree in required to become a filmmaker
  • Depending on the various career interest one can pursue MFA degree
  • After completing 10+2, one can pursue Associate Degree in Film Study, BA in Filmmaking, BSc in Digital Filmmaking, BA in Cinema study and MA in Film Studies

Find Out: Top MA in Filmmaking Courses

Film Making Courses

Here is a list of the certificate courses, diploma courses, UG courses and PG courses that students can take up to become filmmakers. 

Certificate Courses for Film Making

Course Name Average Fees
Certificate in Digital film making INR 2,38,000
Certificate in Ad film making INR 4,50,000
Certificate in Advanced direction INR 4,00,000
Certificate course Advanced Editing INR 3,75,000
Certificate in Stereoscopic Filmmaking INR 4,40,000

Check Out: MA in Film Study Syllabus

Diploma Courses for Film Making

Diploma Course Average fees
Diploma in Cinematography INR 24,164
Diploma in Camera and Lighting Techniques INR 50,000
Diploma in Digital Photography INR 30,000
Diploma in Film Making INR 2.1 L
Diploma in Documentary Filmmaking INR 15,000
Diploma in Performing Arts INR 1,800

UG Courses for Film Making

Course Name Average Fees
BA in film making and television, Multimedia in Film Production, Multimedia (Film Art), Multimedia – Screenwriting, Multimedia – Film Production INR 20,00,000 – 35,00,000
B.Sc (Visual Communication) INR 10,000 – 1,00,000
Bachelor of Visual Arts INR 50,000 - 4,00,000

PG Courses for Film Making

Course Name Average Fee
MA in Arts and Aesthetics INR 10,000 – INR 50,000
Master of Performing arts  INR 2,000 – INR 1,00,000
M.Sc (Visual Communication) INR 30,000 – INR 1,50,000
Master of Visual Arts INR 2,000 - INR 50,000

Find Out: Jobs Scope After doing MA in Film Studies 

Online Film Making Courses

Online filmmaking is another best course that one can do at their own suitable time, it has various advantages. The online courses help the students to attend classes whenever they have time and also they are available for cheaper rates. 

Udemy Film Making Courses 

Course Name  Duration  Fees
Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator 5.5 hours INR 455 
Cinematography Masterclass 6 hours  INR 455
Film using any camera: Basics of Shooting video correctly 3 hours INR 3200
The Complete Video Production Bootcamp 9 hours  INR 455

Coursera Film Making Courses

Course Name  Duration  Fees
Getting your film off the ground 25 hours  Free
Photography Basics and beyond: from Smartphone to DSLR 6 months  Free

Skills Required to Become a Film Maker

Some of the major skill sets that are essential to become a successful Film Maker are tabulated below for your reference,

Dedication Observation Time management Patience
Creativity Efficiency Hard work Leadership

Tips to Sharpen Film Making Ability

Here are some of the tips to sharpen your film making abilities, these skills actually help one to become extraordinary filmmakers in future, 

  • Identify your style – Where do you spot yourself running withinside the lengthy run? Do you choose making documentaries, blockbuster movies, brief films, commercials, song and creative videos, or characteristic films? Once you perceive your style, the adventure of filmmaking becomes easier.
  • Look at the larger picture – The subsequent tip is to broaden more than one angle – whilst operating as a filmmaker, you may broaden numerous perspectives. For example, imagining yourself as a scriptwriter, actor, group member, set developer, and most significantly the audience; whilst retaining your private innovative touch.
  • Watch all movies – Want to be concerned in all of the magnificence discussions? Watch all of the movies, examine it from every and each angle, recognize the attempt placed into cinematography, sound, unique effects, acting, directing, and scripting. What's next? Get that bucket complete of popcorn and begin the marathon of classics, blockbusters, action, and all others.
  • Develop your aptitude for aesthetics – Observation is the important thing to getting suggestions for filmmakers. Don't relax your eyes, allow them to wander and examine easy duties and be aware of them down in your journal. Even a easy stroll can provide you with sufficient meals for thought – preserve a document of your thoughts, the type of association that thrilled you, the colours that introduced vibrancy. Your filmmaking faculty will provide you with possibilities to show those thoughts into films.
  • Learn from the achievement stories – Read approximately the directors, producers, and artists who've done their desires withinside the global of filmmaking and analyze from their experiences. This will show to be tremendous ultimately whilst you are strategizing and laying the basis in your movie.

Scope in Filmmaking Industry 

India is the most important manufacturer of movies with Bollywood's fee being $2.28 billion (138 billion rupees). The call for movies in each countrywide and worldwide markets has risen – this requires expert filmmakers.
Not simply Bollywood, however Marathi, Bengali, Tamilian, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Punjabi filmmaking come below the large umbrella of local movies.

Other famous filming systems consist of the neighborhood tv channels, commercial industries, brief movies, and media channels, like Amazon Prime and Hotstar, appoint a humongous quantity of directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and plenty more.

  • Related Occupation in Filmmaking- The movie enterprise is part of the huge leisure and media world, that involves television, music, video games, and different humanity and cultural sectors. It likewise unfolds throughout different regions of cable television, net streaming, cellular applications, virtual platforms, at the side of telecom and verbal exchange industries. The requirement of filmmakers in different commercial regions has escalated as a prime as a part of the target target market prefers visible mediums.
  • Reaching out to the masses – Creative ideas, creative approach, and powerful verbal exchange – prepare in an engaging visible medium draws the masses. Whether schooling or fashion, quick films; nowadays, assist companies attain their goal target market.
  • Researchers, Professors, and Academicians – All require professional filmmakers to report and file their studies and findings.
  • Vlogging and Blogging – Who isn't acquainted with the needs of the brand new generation that's probably to affect the future? Yes, filmmaking has already unfolded its wings in social media withinside the shape of vlogs, blogs, etc.

Career Opportunity After Filmmaking Courses

The movie making profession gives each industrial in addition to innovative and inventive opportunities. You want to discover the undergraduate program that fits you and aligns together along with your passion. Here are a number of the essential task roles you may pursue

  • Production Designers: They are accountable for looking after the general visible attraction of the film. The function of a manufacturing fashion dressmaker is to coordinate with the director and manufacturers for designing and developing props, costumes, graphics, lighting, make-up and plenty more.
  • Screenwriters: The movie world's novelists, storytellers, playwrights – their duty is to convert thoughts into stories. Compelling narratives regularly attain the administrators and manufacturers, who make the choice of turning it right into a film. In positive cases, screenwriters are employed to re-paintings on an already present idea, story, or script for extra dialogues or amusement material.
  • Cinematographers: They paint intently with the administrators and percentage their creative and innovative imaginative and prescient – regularly at the back of the digital digicam taking the real photographs. They also are called digital digicam specialists, pictures administrators, or DP. In case of large units of massive movies, the cinematographers coordinate with a big institution of digital digicam technicians, mild operators, and others concerned with inside the shoot.
  • Actors: Lead actors, helping actors, comedians, extras – on-display screen skills withinside the movie world, whose task is to carry thoughts, dialogues, scripts, and the expected film moves to live.
  • Producers: In literal terms, they produce the film – budgeting, figuring out the actors and making them signal contracts, hiring a director, elevating finance, coordinating with off-set sports, motivating and supporting the administrators, and being part of the innovative system are a number of the obligations of a producer.
  • Editors: They belong to the post-manufacturing crew and their task is coordinating intently with the director to dispose of scenes and maintain the desired pictures for the very last film. Currently, editors even paintings on-set to provide real-time pictures to get the very last photographs geared up and get the film running.Apart from the aforementioned roles, there are the opposite roles without delay related to filmmaking that you may pursue
  • Film Directors: With a mix of powerful communique skills, technical knowledge, aesthetic sense, and organizational abilities, a administrators imaginative and prescient creates the film! They coordinate with the designers, manufacturers, actors, sound engineers, unique impact technicians, editors, and all of us concerned withinside the project – their duty additionally exceeds in the direction of budgeting and economic monitoring of the movies. 

Salary of Filmmakers 

There is no fixed salary for a filmmaker. It may vary person to person. However, following table brings a clarity about the salary trends in the Indian film industry:

Experience Wise Salary

Fresher INR 19,000
Experienced INR 36,153 

Specialization Wise Salary 

Specializations Average Salary
Film Director INR 5,08,682
Casting Director INR 4,91,120
Film Producer INR 9,82,635

Note: The salary in the film industry is not fixed and changes as per the audience response

How to Become a Filmmaker: FAQs

Ques. Is it mandatory to attend film schools for pursuing a career as filmmaker?

Ans: It is not mandatory. There were a lot of renowned directors who neither attended film schools nor have any degree in film studies. If you are interested in filmmaking, you can definitely pursue a career in filmmaking.

Ques. What are the good qualities of a filmmaker?

Ans: A good filmmaker comes up with a good story and a good director will always have control over what he creates on screen.

Ques. Can anyone be a filmmaker?

Ans: Anyone can become a filmmaker by picking up a camera and shooting film, becoming a professional filmmaker is a different thing altogether. One with natural talent and good content will get notified fast.

Ques. Is it good taking filmmaking as a career?

Ans: It is up to the person who chooses filmmaking as a career. Taking a career that one loves will benefit you a lot. A person with passion for movies and songs and interest in directing good art can make a lot of difference.

Ques. Who is considered a filmmaker?

Ans: A filmmaker is a person who is in charge of the production process of a film. He writes scripts, auditions actors, and visualizes the script into motion pictures.

Ques. How many times is the FTII JET entrance exam conducted?

Ans: FTII JET is a national level exam conducted by Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata, once every year.

Ques. What is the duration of BFA in filmmaking course?

Ans: A BFA degree usually takes four years or more to complete, depending upon student's specialization.

Ques. Is going to film school worth it?

Ans: Film school helps in building your skills. It's a great place to build your abilities and define your style and taste, but it won't guarantee you a great career in the film industry worldwide. It will definitely give you an edge to know the fundamentals of filmmaking, however, if your work, movies etc is not liked by the audience, there is no point in your films.

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