Not all film production companies require you to have training for film production, but it will certainly help get your foot in the door. The movie production industry is highly competitive and those that have training have an edge over those that do not.

Training for film production:

1. Exposes you to all aspects of the industry. There is an enormous amount of work that goes into feature film production. One look at a movie's credits will tell you this. Attending film school will introduce you to this type of film production information.

2. Allows you to specialize. Whether you want to work shooting the film or in film post production, a good training program will allow you to specialize in the area that most interests you. This allows you to gain the experience you need to get your first job.

3. Helps connect you to the industry. Most people know that it's very difficult to break into the film production industry. Attending classes or other training programs will introduce you to people who are already successfully working in the film industry. Knowing these people can help you get a good job.

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Attend film school to learn movie production information

If you're serious about a career in the film industry, it's a good idea to attend one of the many film schools. Not only will this teach you about all of the different aspects of the industry, but it will also give you hands on experience in film production.

I recommend: The Los Angeles Film School offers programs in film production and animation. The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University is one of the most well-respected film schools in the country.

Attend a short seminar on film production

If you don't have the time to attend full-time film school, or you just want to brush up on your skills, a seminar may be what you're looking for.

I recommend: Stop by the 2-day producing seminar offered by the Insiders Guide to Independent Film Production. Action/Cut Filmmaking also holds periodic seminars that can teach you what you need to know. They also offer home film courses that allow you to study on your own time.

Get hands on training through an internship with a film production company

There's no doubt that hands-on experience is best when it comes to film production. An internship allows you to learn by watching working professionals in action.

I recommend: The Institute for Humane Studies sponsors internships with film production companies, including a small stipend. You can also search for internships at EntertainmentCareers.net.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may also be interested in training for video production as well as film production. If you want to be an independent film maker, you'll find that video is much cheaper to use.

Film production involves hundreds of factors. The categories you hear about during the Oscars constitute only a fraction of the whole job. Everything from editing to sound design to special effects to printing and processing comes into play, and that's just for film post-production, when the filming is complete.

Successful film production companies are quite lucrative, but it took them a while to get there. If you have the right film production information when you start, and surround yourself with the right people, you have a much better shot at building your company into a film production studio like the ones releasing the next big summer blockbustes. Remember three things before you get started and throughout your production:

1. A movie production takes money. Get capital up front and budget so that you make it to the end.
2. You'll be a producer, which means that you'll be involved in some way at almost every step of the process from first to last.
3. Hire the right people. A film production is only as good as the people behind it.

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Find yourself a property worthy of a feature film production

Everything starts with an idea. A promising idea is to scout art and film schools, where lots of eager and enterprising people are looking for a way into the business. Finding someone excited to have a chance at movie production will be easy; deciding whom to choose will be tougher. Pick a person (and idea) that fits into your goal and the kind of film you want to make.

I recommend: Contact the administrators of film schools such as New York University and the University of Southern California and check on their scouting policies. Also, since these institutions have acting schools, cover two things at once and inquire about casting your film.

Pick staff to fill film production jobs

The size of your film crews will, of course, depend on the size of your film, but even a small film can have a surprising number of film production services workers. With production and film post production, you need a lot of specialists. Start finding your crews early; you want to have them ready to go when the time comes. Plan everything you possibly can in advance; organization is key.

I recommend: Register as a producer with Filmstaff.com or Shoots.com to get a start on finding film crews. Keep in mind that different areas have different pay bases; some cities will be cheaper to film in. Compare by city as well as company.

Get your production film to the masses

You will need to find a distributor to release your film, get it to the public and handle the marketing. If you can manage, interest a studio in your film, but be aware that untested film production companies have a harder time selling their products. Consider smaller, independent distributors when you start out. It's better to sell to a small company than no company if it means getting your film released.

I recommend: Contact studios and distributors before sending them any ideas or materials. Companies such as Gold Circle Films and American Zoetrope, though among the smaller studios, won't accept unsolicited materials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  No luck getting your movie production picked up? Enter it into a film festival. Festivals are popular and attract lots of attention. Film industry people regularly attend festivals to look for the latest hot property, so even if you haven't found a distributor anywhere else, this might be your chance.
• •  Keep a sharp eye on your budget. Get estimates in advance for what things will cost, and keep track of every dollar. It's easy for movies to get out of control where funding comes in, so stay involved and stick to your budget.

Film production companies can spend millions of dollars creating a great movie. This means that they need a lot of revenue just to break even. If you work for a production company, then you know how important it is to stay up-to-date on film production news and trends so that you can stay ahead of the curve.

Some of the best reasons to read the latest film production news and trends are:

1. You can increase your earnings. The film production information that you learn from industry news sources can help you to save money on your production costs. For example, you can now use computer animation instead of costly props.

2. You can make a movie that people like. By following the consumer trends, a film production has a better chance of making a movie that people are excited about. This typically translates to higher earnings.

3. You can stay competitive. It's important to know what other movie production companies have in the works. This can help you plan your own production styles and release dates.

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Keep track of other film production companies through news sources

You don't want to miss a potential hot trend in film, so it's a good idea to pay attention to the decisions that other studios make. This includes what types of scripts they option as well as the technology that they use.

I recommend: Keep track of the independent film industry through Filmmaker Magazine. This could alert you to up-and-coming writers, directors or actors in the industry. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter are the industry standard for film production news. You can learn about both pre-production and film post production there. Variety offers both a newsletter and print magazine.

Get behind-the-scenes movie production information

You should know that most of the work happens off-camera. Make sure that you also stay up-to-date on the latest technology if you want to stay competitive as a film production studio.

I recommend: Check out the articles in the latest issue of Lighting & Sound America to see if it's a good option for you. Animation Magazine offers excellent resources for using animation in movies, television or commercials.

Know consumer trends for preferences in film production

As a movie production company, it's incredibly important for you to pay attention to what consumers want. They are the ones that determine whether a movie is a success or a flop.

I recommend: Rotten Tomatoes allows consumers to post reviews of the movies that they've seen. This is a good way to get feedback for what consumers like and don't like in current movies. However, the real test of a movie's success is how much it grosses at the box office. Box Office Mojo offers daily reports on earnings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  News sources are great for learning about film production, but the best source is always someone that currently works for a film production company. If you work in the film industry, always look for chances to network with others.

Film production is teamwork, and the best teams produce the best entertainment, educational material and documentary work. Audiences see a product, but the people who make films know that the collaborative efforts include writers, technicians, lighting experts, actors and other players. In fact, the audience is the end of the line in the production of a film.

Although few film producers complete their projects quickly, some producers spend years perfecting their work. One film may have a small cast while another may include thousands of people. Most films follow a similar production pattern starting with planning and script development. After the production of the film, talented editors work for a perfect product until it is locked and distributed.

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Property master

The property master is sometimes in charge of millions of dollars in goods. The property master first scours the script to determine the props needed to film a movie. Every movie is different so the property master might have to take care of diamonds, weapons and other items.

I recommend: Original Prop Blog gives a first hand account of the job of a property master working in the film industry.

Gaffer

A gaffer is the chief lighting technician for film productions. Gaffers are the electricians in charge of the production, so their role is important for the lighting and the safety of all of the others involved in the daily work.

I recommend: Twyman-Whitney explains the role of many of the players involved in the industry so their website is a great place to learn about the many facets of film making. Imdb explains the duties of a gaffer.

Dolly grip

Pictures of directors and camera operators moving around on an impressive device to get action shots in the latest movie seem most exciting, but these important people would be sitting still without the dolly grip. These important players must ensure that the cameras can get into position to take shots of the highly paid actors and actresses.

I recommend: Wisegeek has fascinating information about the important roles in creating films including the role of the producer.

Best boy

The best boy in any movie department has a lot of responsibility and is an important part in any film production.

I recommend: Media College.com has information about the Best boy. The best boy grip also performs a vital function during film production.

Compositor

During filming, compositors accumulate hours of film footage to be manipulated into the finished product when filming is completed. Although every job in film production contributes to the final film, the compositor is the one responsible, together with the director and film editors, for the finished product.

I recommend: Find out more about compositors and their educational background requirements at Skillset. Highend. Learn more about this interesting film production career at Creative Cow.

Post production

Most jobs in the film industry are fascinating and, although post production jobs might not be quite as glamorous as others, these jobs are challenging and lucrative.

I recommend: Tisch Undergraduate Film & Television is a leader in the education of people who work in the industry so their website is valuable tool. DoHistory provides detailed information on post production processes. IFP provides detailed explanation of post production work which is so important to delivering a final, polished product.

Distributor

The movie section of the paper has advertisements full of dramatic pictures and stars. Some ads are bigger than others and list showings in an area. Movie makers license a distributor once a film is complete, and the distributor gets the film to an appropriate number of theaters for the right number of weeks.

I recommend: How Stuff Works is a great website to learn the basics of film distribution.