INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Film Production positions are at a 24% growth rate, which is much faster than average. With that said, there are currently 131,000 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 31,600 to 162,600 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Film Production jobs was $76,400 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,070, and the highest 10% more than $184,660.
Our conclusion? The Film Production job market is wide open for candidates.
Top Film Production sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Film Production resume experience section
Film Production Resume’s Job Experience Checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Film Production resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Record dialog on-set
- Edit and mix dialog, SFX, foley, BGs and music
- Record and perform foley
- Produced +20 original TV series
- Produced +5 documentary films released in national theaters
- Made +10 partnerships with national & regional channels
- Director & Co-Producer: “The Far East Side: Coffee Joints” Web series (shot and edited 02/2014, Bangkok).
- Director & Producer: “Strength and Beauty” corporate commercial (shot with SFX in HD on Phantom Flex). Client: Intergems Claes Group (completed 08/2012, Belgium).
- Director & Producer: VDC TVC Laos national television commercial. Client: Vientiane Diamond Cutting Ltd. (completed 01/2012, Bangkok & Vientiane).
- Director: “DIFTAR Kalmthout” recycling awareness campaign with Belgian TV personality Martine Prenen; a viral and local Television project with company Starplanet (completed 03/2011, Antwerp).
- Director & Co-Producer: “Building your future in the capital of Europe” commercial (35mm). Client: Vesalius College (completed 05/2010, Belgium).
- Director: “Don’t Spoil the Party” commercial, viral awareness campaign (camera: Lou Berghmans). Agency: Duval Guillaume; Supported by Unicef; *Nominated at Benelux Event Awards (completed 05/2009, Belgium).
- Freelance Production Assistant for television promotions department at Belgian National Broadcasting Company (VRT). Productions included: Top Gear, National Sports Awards... (2010, Brussels).
- Freelance Production Assistant for film production co. Latcho Drom. Roles included: Casting Director, Production Assistant and Coordinator, 2nd Directors Assistant. Productions included: Cote D’or, European Commission, BNP Paribas... (2010 & 2008, Brussels).
- Created and voted on motions directly affecting the course structure.
- Catered for student coplaints.
- Exposed the student' views to couse leaders and student union staff, creating solutions for said problems.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Teach modules for BA Hons degrees in Film Production, TV, Documentary & Film, Sound Design, Audio and Visual Technologies.
- Conduct seminars and practical workshops to assist students' learning.
- Monitor students' progress through ongoing project assessments.
- Directed three 2017 Drama Bites to be broadcasted on Lancashire TV.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Managed all elements of studio episodic and independent feature film live action Production Accounting including: budgeting, cashflows, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Partnered with producers to manage day to day on set financial demands while reporting and delivering studio requirements.
- Deep collaboration with all departments to deliver long term financial goals and solve for ad hoc urgencies.
- Worked for Cynthia Lopez, former Executive Vice-President and producer of the PBS documentary series.
- Responsible for her IMDB and Wikipedia page - consolidating listings of her credits at POV.
- Researched vital information for a film in development.
- Helped her work on her Puerto Rican Initiative project.
- Clerical work such as setting appointments and scheduling calls and travels.
- I scouted for locations.
- Created shooting schedules and drafted call sheets.
- Was in charge of the transport for the cast and extras.
- Finished constructed sets with paint, hardware, and fixtures
- Dressed locations with fabrics, pictures, decals and furniture
- Accurately placed props according to guidelines
- Kept up with all props to ensure shoots proceed on schedule
- Sketching sets with photoshop, illustrator and Sketch
- Finished constructed sets with paint, hardware, and fixtures
- Dressed locations with fabrics, pictures, decals and furniture
- Accurately placed props according to guidelines
- Kept up with all props to ensure shoots proceed on schedule
- Sketching sets with photoshop, illustrator and Sketch
- Time Management
- Crowd Control
- Continuity
- Driving Crew and Talent
- Building Sets
- Handling Production paperwork
- Co-founder and co-owner - start up film company
- Writer, director and editor for first feature length film, Drake & Wayne
- Multiple screenplays cataloged for future projects
- Pursuing VMA at Emerson College to further skills for the company
- Founder and managing producer for NWMP studio and productions.
- As managing partner, I helped to lead NWMP from a fledgling startup to one of the largest and most comprehensive studios and post facilities in the region.
- Produced and coordinated on feature films, over sixty commercial shoots, five music videos, several short films, documentaries, and numerous live events.
PRO TIP
Check the Film Production job description for inspiration. Look for similarities between your employer’s values and your experience.
Action Verbs for your Film Production Resume
Recommended reads:
Film Production Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Resume Skills Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Skills for your Film Production resume
- Pro Tools
- Logic Pro Studio
- EdiCue
- EdiPrompt
- EUCON
- Self confidence
- Creativity
- Humor
- Innovation
- Storytelling
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Film Production Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices
CHECKLIST For Your Film Production Resume Header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Film Production resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
Film Production Resume Summary Best Practices
Checklist: What to include in your Film Production resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume Summary Formula:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
Recommended reads:
Listing Your Education, Certifications and Courses
Resume Education Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Certifications for your Film Production resume
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you hold a certain major and a minor, your majors should be mentioned first.
Film Production Resume: Additional Writing & Formatting Tips
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Film Production Resume Summary best practices
Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:
- Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
- Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
- Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.
To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Film Production resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Film Production resume:
Film Production Resume: How to Make Yours More Creative & Stand Out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Film Production resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What Makes a Great Film Production Resume: Key Takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.