TV or film director

You could take a degree or postgraduate course at university to get into the industry.

Courses include:

• film or television production
• broadcast production
• filmmaking
• directing
• drama
• TV, film and theatre studies

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You may find it useful to take a filmmaking or media production course that helps you to build practical skills and make contacts in the industry.

Relevant courses include:

• film and television production
• performing and production arts
• creative and digital media
• T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could start out as a runner, working on film or TV sets, and learn on the job. As your experience and contacts grow, you could work your way up to become a 3rd, 2nd then 1st assistant director or floor manager.

You might also move into directing after gaining experience in camera work, screenwriting and acting, or from working on theatre productions.

It's important to get as much experience as you can in film and TV, and to develop a good understanding of the production process.

For example, you can:

• work on student film or TV productions
• get involved with community film projects
• find work experience placements with production companies

You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge .

You can learn some of the skills needed in film directing by making your own films, known as 'shorts'. You can market these to agents, post them online or enter them into film festivals and competitions.

You'll need access to equipment, crew and actors to make your own films. The contacts you make through student or community filming projects may help with this.

You can also take short courses in production skills for directors run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers. You can search for relevant industry approved courses through ScreenSkills.

Career Tips

Get as much experience of amateur filmmaking as you can to develop your skills. This will give you insights into the creative process and help you to make industry contacts.

You can also create a portfolio to showcase your talent.

Further Information

You'll find more details about directing in film and TV through ScreenSkills .

You can get more information about careers in the film industry from My First Job in Film and Get Into Film .

As a TV or film director, you could:

• develop a script and ideas with screenwriters
• establish a vision of how the production will look and feel
• meet with producers, designers and technical teams to plan filming schedules, locations and resources
• work with casting directors to select actors
• direct actors and crew during rehearsals and filming
• attend regular meetings to discuss progress and iron out problems
• supervise editing, sound and visual effects in post-production
• handover the finished production for approval by producers, a studio or broadcaster
• take part in promotional activities

You could work at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.