Careers in Media and Entertainment

As our society becomes more and more connected and digital, unprecedented opportunities for a career in media and entertainment are emerging. Careers in film, video, games, and animation are bursting onto the scene as technology immerses the entire entertainment industry.

A far cry from the past, when only a chosen few got to attend expensive film and television production schools, today the opportunities for media careers are widespread and growing fast. Not only that, but as the digital age advances it is creating even newer and better career areas that combine adventure with art and science.

New Opportunities in Media and Entertainment

“Entertainment” is all about the way we fill our spare time. As we grow into the digital age, we are using productivity tools to create more leisure time. So it is not surprising that our societies are becoming more and more entertainment oriented. People are looking for new and better ways to spend their spare time, money and energy.

We are spending more time, money and energy than ever before on entertainment products: film, television, video games, and animations. Entirely new forms of entertainment are beginning to take shape, such as multi-player online video games, video chatting, and even “virtual travel” through online streaming video.

Not only that, but today even “traditional” and “mainstream” jobs are using entertainment and media technologies to improve their productivity. Teaching and training are being revolutionized by video, online delivery and simulation. Architecture, manufacturing, and construction are moving rapidly to embrace computer drafting (CAD).

Skills You’ll Need for a Dream Career in Media and Entertainment

If you see the possibilities of the entertainment media, the career opportunities are nearly unlimited. Far beyond the limits of the old days, when film and television graduates had to hope they could latch onto a minimum wage and minimal skill job with a studio, work for years at menial and meaning less labor, and then hope for a “big break.”

Today, you can make your own big break. Entertainment producers (film and television production companies; game development companies; event producers and promoters) need people with technology skills, and not just computer programming, but also animation, video editing, camera operation, 3d modeling, and storytelling.

Specifically, if you are interested in working in the new digital media arena, consider developing skills in:

• Digital video editing - by getting training using editors such as Adobe’s Premiere, Sony’s Vegas system or Apple’s Final Cut Pro)
• Digital animation and 3d modeling by getting training using programs like Autodesk’s Maya or 3dsMax)
• Camera operation and videography - by getting training in digital videography or photography
• Computer graphics and art (by getting training using Adobe’s Photoshop)
• Storytelling (by getting training in screenwriting or script development)
• Game Design (by getting training in game programming, level design, interactive storytelling)

Where to Get Training in Media and Entertainment

There are many great outlets for getting training in media and entertainment. We believe that the key is to combine techology (especially learning to operate high-level software) with storytelling. If you can use digital skills to tell great stories, you will be in great demand.

Be Self Taught
If you are a self-motivated person, one great option is to use fairly simple tools to learn the key skills of digital media creation, then apply those skills across a variety of career opportunities. There are even many free programs you can use to learn the essential skills.

To learn the skills of digital video editing, you can use Microsoft’s Windows MovieMaker software. It comes bundled with many versions of Windows XP. However, if you do not find it on your computer, you can find it online for free download (note: Microsoft no longer supports the program, but it works fine). You can also find free Windows MovieMaker tutorials at from Atomic Learning. The tutorials are great, as are all Atomic Learning products.

To learn the skills of animation and 3d modeling, you can use an incredible open source program called Blender, provided by the Blender Foundation. Blender is well-supported by an online community, including tutorials, product support, user forums and great online content.

Finally, to learn digital effects (including film special effects), you can use the emerging Jah Shaka Editing and Special Effects system. Jah Shaka is supported by an organization and community with a vision to do no less than invent a “New Hollywood.” Whether they actually invent a new Hollywood or not, they’re on an incredible ride. You might want to join them.

Find A School
If you prefer a more structured approach to learning, you can consider a school or training program. Check out the Art Institute Online, for example. We are also intriged by the programs offered by the Ames Media Institute.

The Entrepreneurial Edge: Freelance and Self-Employment Options for Media and Entertainment

For years, the media and entertainment business has been perfect for entrepreneurs and freelancers. Film and television projects have long been characterized by project teams that assemble, complete a project, then dissolve. The teams are made up of specialists (cast and crew) who perform their particular task for that film or TV show, then move on to another adventure.

It is the much the same today--although some of the digital producers (game companies, animation studios) work a little harder to lock in talent. However, in the digital media arena, there is still plenty of opportunity for freelance, project and entrepreneurial work.

Especially in the age of the Internet, independent filmmaking, game development, animation production are done by freelance teams and small design firms. Increasingly online learning, simulation, architectural drawing, visual design, and certainly computer graphics are very attractive areas for independent work.

Check out Rend-A-Coder or e-lance to learn more.