Entertainment Jobs

Probably one of the most under-appreciated person who works behind the camera is the casting director. More often than not, the moviegoers only gives credit to the director and the actors of a certain box-office film, forgetting some of the other important people who works behind the scene. Without some of these unsung movie heroes, some movies might fail.

Just what exactly does casting directors do? Well, casting directors are the ones responsible for finding talents for a certain film or show. They pick from hundreds of actors the ones who are best suited to play the part. Part of the casting director's job is to know all of the upcoming stars and the freshest talents.

If you are, for example, an actor who wanted to be cast in a movie, you should submit a resume to the movie or show's casting director. The casting directors in return call these prospects for interviews. It is through the interview that they find out whether an actor would most likely be up for the role. Usually, casting directors choose those whom they are familiar with, so it is really hard for aspiring actors to be immediately cast into lead roles. I think being a successful casting director's cool, since you are able to meet and rub shoulders with the stars.

When a movie hits blockbuster, the credits are given to the thesps who portrayed their parts well. But most of the credits are handed to these film directors who are the brains behind the movie's making. There's a lot of directors that make it to Hollywood, but only a few of them make it to the A-list.

Just one of those well-known directors is Steven Spielberg who gave us some of the greatest films to ever grace the movie screen. Some of Spielberg's work are "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", "Jurassic Park", and "Jaws". Among the directors that are making it big in Hollywood are James Cameron ("Titanic" and "The Terminator") and Quentin Tarantino ("Kill Bill" and "Hostel"). They are just few of the many directors that give us box-office smash films.

But in order to be a prolific director, what does one really need? You have to be a visionary to be a good director. The most successful are the ones who are able to give the audience a groundbreaking movie. You also have to have a great imagination. Steven Spielberg's films appeal to a lot of people because they are very imaginative. Being a blockbuster director doesn't just happen overnight. Most of the directors started from the bottom of Hollywood's movie industry and gradually made their way up. A great deal of passion and hard work are your keys to make it to Tinseltown.

A lot of the movies these days that gross millions in box office are animation. It is not surprising that these CGI-made movies rake loads of money from the popcorn crowd. These movies, after all, do not only appeal to the kids who are fond of wacky characters, but also to grown-ups who come to watch funny animated movies for their tongue-in-cheek humor and sometimes, popular cultural references or spoofs.

When I was a kid, I have always wondered how drawings move on television. I grew up watching Looney Toons, Tom and Jerry, and Mickey Mouse that at one point of my life, I was actually thinking of becoming an animator. Being an animator seems like a lot of fun. With new technological advances like CGI, animating characters and things is the coolest job in the world.

So what does it take to become a good animator? First, you must have a creative mind and bottomless pool of ideas. Second, you must at least have drawing skills. Third, you must be really dedicated to and passionate about your craft, because even though being an animator sounds easy, it is still a job that requires patience and hard work. So do you think you have the talent and passion to become a good animator?

Wardrobe or costume supervisors are commonly hired in big-budgeted productions in Hollywood. These talented people are often in charge with overseeing the costumes or wardrobes including the accessories that are to be used in the set . They work even before the actual production starts brainstorming on ideas and concepts related to costumes to be worn by the actors and actresses in the film.

A pool of people that are responsible for the costumes such as designers, design assistants, and standbys make sure that all the costumes are maintained and function properly. In addition, they also do research on a particular type of costume worn in a period in history associated with the film. They also organize the costumes in order to remain faithful to the movie's sequence of scene. Likewise, the costume supervisor also takes care of the budget allocated for the costumes. While there are some productions that require a good number of costume designers and supervisors, they also need the service of standbys or dailies.

This job requires an ounce of highly technical skills in wardrobe designing as well as organizational and budgeting skills. While it may also be physically demanding, this job also has its good side.

More than just prop or background creators, set designers are artists. We all know that artists play a major role in the entertainment industry. These people are responsible for designing sets for TV shows, movies, music video and even TV ads or commercials. Competition in this area is also fierce since there are lots of talented young men and women who are creative geniuses, while others get their style and techniques through education. Requirement on education is very specific, too. Production outfits for TV and movies require set designers to have a degree in art and design, theater arts, TV or film production or other relevant degrees.

In the United States, this job requires you to work in major entertainment areas such as in New York or Los Angeles. But if you're deciding to be a set designer for TV, then you have more opportunities to be working in different TV networks around the country.

Set designing is a very rigorous and serious job. It requires a lot of skills and talents. There's much painstaking research that has to be done to come up with a design that can please your boss. Although it's a very laborious and demanding profession, set designers receive good compensation.

If there's a Hollywood director that's worth putting up a monument for then that would be Robert Zemeckis. Popular for his movies “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump,” Zemeckis was an Academy Award-winnind director. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Zemeckis graduated from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television.

His first film success was “Romancing the Stone” which stars actor Michael Douglas and features an action and adventure story spanning some of the exotic places in the world, particularly in the desert areas of the Middle East (or was it Egypt?). The film made it big in the box office. “Back to the Future” followed suit. These films were Zemeckis' stone in the Hollywood edifice. He became one of the best directors in the film industry.

Zemeckis made an innovative approach in film-making by combining special effects and animation with live action. The first film to feature the technique is “ Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” The drama starring award-winning actor Tom Hanks, “Forrest Gump” also used the technique. You can see historical figures that seem to be alive in the scene of the film. He won an Academy Award for the movie. 2004's “The Polar Express” was the director's most recent film. It's an animated movie adaptation of the children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Hollywood publicist: a job that is as glamorous as it sounds is not as easy as it looks like. It brings to mind notions of getting to see big movie months ahead than others, of knowing what's in the closet of Julia Roberts, of a luxurious Caribbean cruise, and a lot more. The job of publicists to the stars is closely related to sales because a publicist works for a person who wants to shout to the public "Hey, I'm here!" In addition, a publicist infiltrates into the media to create the right kind of headlines for your star-client. He can also be the front-man to answer sarcastic and at times scornful questions about your client.

On the other end of the spectrum, a publicist can be in for some mundane and perennial anxiety. It will surely give a publicist a sleepless night when paparazzi caught her client not wearing make-up in a posh cafe. It is the publicist's liability to keep her talent photo-worthy at all times. At times, a publicist also acts as a superhero for his client. He releases press statements to cover up for his client's involvement in a scandal or pitches his client to TV media, magazines, and newspapers to get the nation's attention.

The job of a publicist is one of the most exciting in that he gets regular access to the stars. All one needs is his imagination and ingenuity to make a star shine. If a person has such skills then he can have a future in the said profession.

Landing a job as a TV show production assistant isn't as easy as it seems. Many writers, producers, and even TV directors start out as P.A.’s. Each year, there are thousands of college students who line up hoping to qualify for the P.A. post; surely, the competition is fierce. But what does a Production Assistant exactly do?

The job of a production assistant is one of the most exciting jobs on television. On a day-to-day basis a P.A. acts as the link to the whole production team. A P.A. coordinates and communicates production resources and facility arrangements in tandem with the production managers, attends and times production rehearsals, checks copyright and permission issues, deals with artists' payments and expenses, and organizes the production and distribution of scripts among other things.

This type of job entails you to do a lot of tasks but may not be as financially rewarding as other jobs. In addition, it may not be a steady job because anytime a show may be cancelled. You might think that this job may be too boring or asks too much from you but only determined individuals can fit the criteria to be a P.A.

Television networks are always in dire need of Promotions Managers. It's a thriving industry that needs smart, adaptive, and active multi-taskers. Although it may seem like a difficult job for those wanting to work in the entertainment industry, it proves itself rewarding because PMs are guaranteed a career where they could use their talents. So what does a PM do?

Promotions Managers oversee organization, distribution, and administration of TV promos and materials. They also manage and assess incoming requests for dubs, project info, comp reels, and schedule info. They partner closely with Managers of Marketing, Programming, Affiliate Marketing, and Press to clarify and ensure that project needs are addressed. They attend weekly Promotions Marketing meetings to gather sponsor updates and arrange with Design, Programming, and NOC efficiencies around live on-air testing of design graphic elements.

Experience is, of course, a great deal helpful in your getting this kind of entertainment job. However, beyond that, survival will always have to depend upon your flexibility and professionalism. The PM must also have the ability to prioritize, multi-task, delegate, and work well under deadlines. Communication skills are also of first importance. This job may not be for the faint of heart, but it is just one of the most rewarding jobs in the field of entertainment.

If you're into story-telling and creative writing, and you're currently employed in the banking world, then i think you're on the wrong side of the tracks. You're wasting your talents and skills, not all people are capable of making up interesting story lines or even scripts. Maybe you have not yet tried to apply in the entertainment business, then you should.

Almost all entertainment productions are hiring for fresh, new storyline producers, or creative writers! Who knows, the next thing you know, your ideas might be the next big thing to "Friends" or "Sex and the City", you wouldn't know unless you've tried, hey, if it comes naturally, let the ideas flow, don't be afraid to try! You can even start out as a film staff, c'mon, you only get to live life once, do something that you love.

Do you like cartoons and entertainment a lot? Are you into advertising or are you just very creative? Well, if you've got what it takes, then join the Cartoon Network team. I bet everyone has heard of Cartoon Network and watched it. Well, who hasn't? I still watch it until now. It's very entertaining, so to speak. Cartoons nowadays aren't just for kids anymore. The humor in cartoons caters to people of all ages.

The cartoon network is looking for promotions marketing coordinator, which means that you'll be in-charge of formulating and implementing marketing strategy for cartoons. Ain't that fun? It's also based in LA, the land of the stars. So if you're interested, just go online and visit the cartoon network web site. Don't forget to make your resume stand out. You'll never know, you might be the next big thing in advertising!

Actors, plays, movies, gossips, anything on entertainment have always been my cheap thrills! And I bet many of you cannot get enough of them, too. If you're inclined to think and work with your creative side, and you want that Hollywood exposure, you can work with the stars! Be a Hollywood intern to your favorite director, favorite show or your favorite actor! There is an opportunity for you, you just have to look at the job advertisements. Many productions are hiring interns and even permanent positions. Now that's the best backstage pass!