Film, Television, and Theatre

Brief Overview

Film

Today’s motion picture industry remains the tent pole of Hollywood operations. Film production continues to be the largest and arguably most important segment of the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry, due in large part to a successful movie’s ability to sell products in enormously profitable ancillary markets. Each of the eight major film studios (Disney, Dreamworks SKG, MGM/UA, Paramount, Sony Columbia, Universal, Warner Brothers, and 20th Century Fox) releases between 20 and 30 films per year at an average cost of roughly $30 million per movie, and independent (“indie”) studios release hundreds more.

The film industry is overwhelmingly centered in Los Angeles, though recent governmental tax interventions have given film producers and executives a financial incentive to increase production in New York City, Michigan, and various overseas locations. Though major Hollywood players have recently faced increased competition from independent studios (including Artisan, Fine Line/New Line, Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Sony Pictures Classics, and USA Films), the film industry retains much of its original, vertically-integrated structure, and job opportunities exist at each of the industry’s three tiers – production, distribution, and exhibition. From highly technical computer-aided design engineers, to advertising and budgeting executives, a host of varied positions exist for students enrolled in a number of majors beyond Film, Television, and Theatre; for inspiration, one need only to consult the list of job titles found in any film’s credits.

Television

With over 99% of the United States population owning at least one television set, TV remains arguably the most powerful media vehicle in the contemporary entertainment industry. Today, the television landscape is undergoing rapid shifts, as increased competition from new digital media technologies demands constant flexibility and adaptation on the part of network executives who have been forced to seek out new and increasingly specialized audiences. Where once three networks existed, now thousands do, and this is good news for job-seekers, as the surge in niche programming and channels (E!, Lifetime, ESPN, and the like) has meant a surge in career opportunities.

While many trends in broadcasting overlap with those in the film industry, as both industries are owned and operated in large part by a handful of multimedia conglomerates, the highly competitive television industry is significantly distinguished from its film counterpart by its near total reliance on advertising revenue. This translates to an abundance of sales and marketing positions in television that, while not necessarily ideal, can be a great springboard to jobs on both the creative and business sides of the industry. In the face of reality television, YouTube, Hulu, and similar technologies, the television industry has been forced to dramatically retool each of its four major divisions – development, production, programming, and network affiliation – making it an exciting, albeit challenging, time to pursue a career in the industry.

Theatre

Having always been an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of society, the theatre today remains a highly active and important institution. From stage management, to lighting, and scenery building to the allure of seeing one’s name in lights, the theatre is a varied and undeniably exciting industry in which to work. Of course, it is also a highly competitive field that is not always well paid. However, in spite of increased competition from increasingly sophisticated entertainment technologies, the contemporary U.S. theatre industry is thriving, with one in four adults regularly attending live performances, making it as good a time as any to pursue a career in the industry.

Whereas the film and television industries are heavily centered in New York City and Los Angeles, career opportunities in theatre span both the nation and the globe, as myriad positions exist in local and traveling theatre troupes, at civic theatres, performing arts centers, and at colleges and universities. The varied locales in which theatre is performed speak to the diverse array of positions available to those interested in pursuing a theatrical career; from carpentry to make-up design, the industry has a niche to suit individuals of every talent and interest. Of course, while few other industries offer newcomers as much variety and creative input as the theatre, there are equally few industries into which entry is as unique and nuanced. While it is true that having a college degree will not guarantee you a position in theatre, it is certainly the best way to prepare yourself and in turn increase your chances in the job market.

Helpful Tips

  • Read about the careers of alumni from the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre
  • Breaking in to all areas of film, television, and theatre is highly competitive. Consequently, an internship is a “must have” on your resume. Like the industry itself, the majority of these positions are located in New York and Los Angeles. However, there are local internship opportunities available as well, and these internships can be completed up through your senior year in the “FTT 496 Course”:http://ftt.nd.edu/major/internships/.
  • Have an idea of what type of position you are seeking and in what location you desire to work, but remain flexible, as opportunities exist in all sorts of capacities. Use the following websites to generate ideas:
    - Film and Television – Filmmaking Careers
    - Theatre – Theatre Folk
  • Generate a list of companies within your desired location using “CareerSearch":https://careercenter2.nd.edu/library/ which allows you to search by location and industry.
    - Film – Click on "Motion Picture Production & Allied Services” in the Motion Picture section of “Industry.”
    - Television – Click on "Television Stations” in the Broadcast Media Organizations section of “Industry.”
    - Theatre – Click on “Theater Groups” in the Performing Arts section of “Industry.”
  • Join a professional association as a student (see listings below).
  • Update your resume, and tailor it to the particular industry you’re interested in pursuing. Have it reviewed at The Career Center. Use one of our 15 minute walk-in appointments which are offered daily from 1 – 4:45 p.m, or call 631-5200 to make an hour-long appointment.
    - Resumes for Theatre Majors
    - How to Write Your Film CV
  • Attend both the Fall Career Expo and the Winter Career and Internship Fair to meet prospective employers, but note that the entertainment industry does not typically adhere to traditional on-campus recruitment practices. This means that independent research, networking, and obtaining summer internships in your desired field is all the more important.
  • Continually look on Go IRISH for companies posting various positions (inside and outside of your desired industry) and apply.
  • If a production company, radio station, or theatre group grabs your attention, look at the website for interesting positions and apply.
  • When writing a cover letter for a particular position within the film, television, or theatre industry, it is important to direct the cover letter to someone. Try and locate a hiring manager or someone within your division of interest by using an organization’s website, CareerSearch, and CareerShift. Read more about cover letter writing.
  • Be patient, but persistent – hiring in the film, television, and theatre industries is fiercely competitive and considered “just-in-time” hiring. In other words, these companies hire on an “as needed” basis.
  • Theatre majors can gain hands-on experience by participating in one or several of Notre Dame’s annual on-campus theatre productions, be it an FTT production, a PEMCO Musical, or a DPAC special event.

Networking

  • Begin networking early with people in the Film, Television, and Theatre industries. All three industries can be very much about who you know, rather than what you know.
  • Join the Notre Dame FTT Cothalum Alumni Listserv
  • Attend the Notre Dame FTT Talks series and other FTT-related events, as these often attract accomplished professionals from the Film, Television, and Theatre industriez
  • Utilize the following ND-related networking sites:
    - Irish Online – Access the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s online network of alumni. Using the Directory Search allows you to search for alumni in a variety of ways including by name, company, major, geographical location, and alumni club.
    - LinkedIn – Join the online network of experienced professionals from around the world. The “Notre Dame Alumni Network” group is growing rapidly, with over 10,000 members at last count.
    - Go IRISH – View positions posted by employers on Go IRISH. These positions include contact information for their specific recruiter. Even if a job posting has expired, the contact at the company can be located by utilizing the “Employers” tab.
    - CareerShift – Search this national job-hunting website for job listings from multitudes of job boards and company postings. CareerShift also can help you obtain up-to-date contact information for various companies.
    - CareerSearch – Explore this powerful networking database that gives fast, accurate, and up-to date information about potential employers and contacts in a wide range of national fields and industries.

Job Databases

Film and Television

Theatre

Professional & Student Associations

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Actors’ Equity Association
American Screenwriters Association
Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers
Association of Moving Image Archivists
Directors Guild of America
Dramatists Guild of America
International Documentary Association
Literary Manager and Dramaturgs of America
National Association of Broadcasters
National Communication Association
Screen Actors Guild
Society for Cinema and Media Studies
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
University Film & Video Association
Writers Guild of America, East