The TV industry is seemingly more accessible than ever before, with anyone able to pick up a camera and start creating their own content. So, is a formal education in production the right path for you to enter the industry?
Max Whittard is an aspiring filmmaker currently studying his first year of his Masters Degree in Directing and Producing Science and Natural History at the National Film and Television School.
Max says, “What’s really good about the course is it says it’s directing and producing, but we’re actually doing a bit of everything. We’re not just the cinematographer, we’re not just directing it, we’re not just producing the film. We get that whole experience from pre-production during production and post-production.
“We’re the ones who actually go out and do it, we edit it, we do the sound and everything in pre-production.
We learn a massively broad range, which is really important.
“If you want to be hired by experts in the industry, they want to know that you have a wide range of skills. From what we’ve been told by our tutors, you’d start off in a researcher role, and then build your way up, so you want to be able to build that broad range of skills up before you start climbing your way up and focussing on a more specific role.”
The educational route could be beneficial for those unsure about what exact role they are interested in.
Max says, “I came into this course not really knowing specifically what I wanted to do, except I knew natural history was what I’m interested in. So in that sense it’s given me a massive range of things I’m learning that I can then figure out what I am enjoying and what I’m not.”
A formal degree can also offer networking opportunities and industry experience that would be hard to secure independently. Often, universities have links to production companies and broadcasters. They also tend to have large production facilities with high-end equipment and software.
Max says, “We had Louis Theroux in the other day and we had Brian Cox in with his team of directors and producers who came along and they had a great talk with us. Things like that are amazing opportunities to listen to industry experts and learn from them.
“A lot of our tutors are external tutors who are big directors who have done stuff for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4. The best thing about the course, industry wise, is these collaboration opportunities we have.”
Many know that a degree isn’t the only route to success in the TV industry these days. Production courses can come with financial and physical difficulties.
Max says, “A lot of universities expect you to fundraise your project’s budget yourself. So it’s suddenly incredibly unfair, somebody from a really wealthy background can spend twenty grand to go and film their film for a month with the most expensive camera and do whatever they like, whilst someone less well off might struggle more with raising enough funds. It isn’t an option that’s available to everyone sometimes.
“Here, the school gives us a specific budget for our films which we’re not allowed to go over. It’s great in itself for learning how to project manage, but it’s great because it makes it fair for everyone.
“I’d say when it comes to the idea that you feel like you have to go to university and do a Bachelors or Masters in film, you don’t. Sure it’s a help as it pushes you in a very specific direction and can open you up to better networking opportunities, but at the end of the day it can be expensive and time consuming. It’s a full time job. I’m here from nine to five.
“If that isn’t worth it for you and you have the motivation to do it yourself, you definitely can.”
Regardless of the path you choose to get into the industry, there’s one requirement that’s essential.
Max says, “If you’re not passionate about it and you’re not willing to go the extra mile, there’s kind of no point. I knew this degree would really push me and force me to do certain things. I don’t think I’d have the balls to go out and just make a film myself.
“Also, you’re going to be told no so many times. We’re taught that when you’re pitching to commissioners to fund your next film, that they’re going to say no to you 99% of the time. If you’re not passionate, you won’t go the extra mile, and it’s the wrong industry for you. It’s not an easy jump in and suddenly you’ll be making millions.”
For a link to UCAS’ page of TV Production courses, click here
For more articles about behind the scenes wildlife production, click here
