Digital filmmaking is an exciting and growing field that requires a variety of technical and conceptual skills. Villa is helping students prepare for a career in filmmaking by offering a number of certificates and a digital filmmaking BFA degree program. The program focuses on the key roles involved in creative film production, from the technical to the creative and everything in between. Certificates provide an overview of specific aspects of the production process and prepare students to work on set. Receiving an education in filmmaking can help you earn an entry-level job in the field that can act as a springboard to a filmmaking career.
WNY’s film industry is expected to grow in the coming years and will need to fill a number of roles with talented and qualified individuals. Check out the following list of entry-level digital filmmaking jobs and the job responsibilities typical of each.
On-set grip and electric
Gain valuable on-set experience in this certificate program in on-set grip in lighting and electric by Villa Maria College. Each of our certificate programs, including on-set grip and electric, features approximately four instructional hours, including two hours of mini-lectures and two hours of guided lab work.
Register now to learn job-ready skills including:
- Proper and safe function and operation of film equipment, including stands, lights, flags, and related accessories
- Basic rigging of camera and lighting equipment
- Basic equipment terminology
- Set safety
On-set production assistant
Also a certificate program through Villa, the on-set production assistant program certifies participants in some of the essential activities of the position. Working as a production assistant is a great way to learn all about film production and break into the local film industry.
Topics covered include:
- On-set communication flow and chain of command
- On-set protocol and etiquette
- Basic film set terminology
- Set safety
Assistant sound production mixer
Sound production on a film set involves the technical setup and configuration of sound equipment to capture and begin processing audio elements related to a film. An assistant may help with the physical and technical setup of equipment and software.
These assistants play an important role in helping the head of on-set sound mixing to capture high-quality sound. Using equipment like boom mics, sound mixers, and acoustic materials, on-set sound production captures dialogue, background noise, and sound effects generated on-set (as opposed to in post-production) that are used to convey elements in a digital video. Assistants may also work as boom operators ensuring the boom microphone remains properly positioned and functional.
Video production assistant
Video production assistant is a video production job that involves working with a production crew in each phase of production. These can include setting up lighting and audio equipment, filming, and post-production editing.
As a video production assistant, your responsibilities include physically setting up and configuring video production equipment. This may involve transporting gear to each film set, working lighting, operating the camera and related audio equipment, and preparing the content for editing.
Other job duties could include administrative tasks, such as sending emails, answering phones, updating calendars, and filing expense reports.
Assistant cinematographer
The assistant cinematographer is a job available in cinematography and assists the director of cinematography to give a film an on-screen visual style. They may help oversee elements like sets, lighting, and framing of a shot. It is often a creative or technical position with the objective of developing the approach needed to capture the aesthetic feel of a film.
Assistant film editor
Film editors and their assistants are in high demand as they perform post-production video processing to bring together all the film elements and prepare them for publishing. They can combine footage, special visual effects, graphic designs, and sounds like music and effects to craft a captivating experience for the viewer. They also help process raw footage to prepare it for final editing by adjusting shot frames, enhancing images, and modifying scene length and order.