How to Get a Job in Post Production

Here's our best employment tips for folks looking to get a job in the post-production field.

So, you're interested in working in the film and television industry, but you're not quite sure where to start. You've come to the right place.

Here's what you can expect to find in this blog:

• An introduction to post-production.

• A discussion on how to get a post-production job in 2022, tips on which degrees can be beneficial, and lastly, a breakdown of which skills will help you land a job.
  
  

What can I expect from the post production industry?

Post-production is a fantastic career path for the cinephiles of the world, and can provide a challenging yet rewarding work life for those passionate about film.

It can also serve as a great launchpad into other industries such as the production side of the film industry, music production, or even a career as a full-time content creator or YouTuber.

While there are a plethora of pros of the industry to shower praise onto, it’s imperative we discuss some of the not-so-glamorous aspects of post-production, in order to truly set expectations.

Don’t consider post-production as a career path if:

1. You’re not passionate about technology.

2. You don’t do well with meeting deadlines.

3. You aren’t good at improvising.

4. You’re not a great storyteller.

5. You need glamour and accolades to feel fulfilled.

Post-production can be a thankless job at times, and those who work in the industry are truly the unsung heroes of the entertainment industry. If you’re not self-motivated, post-production can be a tough career choice.

Which degree will I need?

Now that we’ve set expectations, I can assume that the red flags listed above haven’t scared you off. Great!

Now let’s land you that first post-production job! Our first step, we’re going to consider college/university.

Types of degrees to choose from:

1. Post-Production

2. Media Production

3. Television or Film Production

4. Journalism

5. Media Studies

Any one of these 5 degrees are applicable, and will provide you the knowledge and resume you need to be accepted into an entry-level post-production position.

I’ve Got My Degree, What’s Next?

So you’ve got your bachelor’s degree in a major related to post-production, congrats! What should you be doing now?

Step #1: Apply to internships or volunteer opportunities.

Your first step after receiving your degree (or even during) should be applying to internships.

Step #2: Build out your resume.

Building out your resume means working internships, freelancing, taking online courses, learning skills, making passion projects, and much more.

Any skill (or relevant program) you can learn that is related/required/desired by the career you’re pursuing makes you a valuable asset, and therefore a more attractive job candidate.

---> Pro Tip: Internships.com is a great place to start your internship search.

Step #3: Reach out to your connections to seek guidance, referrals, and advice.

Whether or not you believe it, the vast majority of professors genuinely want to see their former students be successful.

And even better, professors often have decades of experience in the industry, and possess an abundance of connections to reach out to. They’re often ecstatic for the opportunity to recommend a student for an entry-level position. Use this!

You could also reach out to fellow classmates, and inquire on how their career search is going, and where they’ve had success.

You’re not the only one experiencing the pain points and uncertainties of starting a career, do not be afraid to ask for help.

---> Pro Tip: While many professors and fellow classmates would likely be happy to help, it’s critically important to be respectful of others' time. Bombarding them with questions and requests all at once could burn the connection. Keep it professional.

Step #4: Build new connections (especially local).

Research local production agencies and connect with them via social media. Search their website to see if they’re hiring, and even if they’re not, consider sending them an email detailing your work experience, and what value you could add to their team.

Sometimes companies don’t know that they’re hiring until the right person applies. Be bold, and be personable.

How much money should I expect to make?

The golden question: How much money will I make in a post-production job?

Let’s compare average salaries of popular job positions in post-production. This data comes courtesy of Study.com and ZipRecruiter.com.

Post-Production Coordinator
Median Salary (2018): $71,680 (courtesy of Study.com)

Post-Production Engineer
Median Salary (2021): $105,000 (courtesy of ZipRecruiter.com)

Director of Post-Production
Median Salary (2021): $116,000 (courtesy of ZipRecruiter.com)

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what you can expect to make as you progress toward starting your post-production career.

Final takeaways:

• Post-production can be an extremely rewarding, and creatively stimulating career that you can be content working your entire life.

• We hope that these tips have helped you gain an understanding of what’s expected of you in the post-production industry, and what you can expect from it.

• For more information on video and audio production, consider signing up for our newsletter below. We publish articles frequently covering all things media.