If cinema is your passion

Shruti Sharma

There are a plethora of graduation and diploma courses available in the present times, which makes it difficult to pick the right one. So, when you decide to choose one for yourself, go for the course that interests you and at the same time, enables you to earn big bucks in the future. Since India one of the largest film industries in the world, the evergreen field of cinema promises several opportunities for the new comers. If you are fascinated with the art of film making and want to pursue it, then film studies is the right pick for you.  It is an academic discipline dealing with the historical, theoretical and critical aspects of the film making. 

Qualification: One should have passed Class XII or equivalent from a recognised organisation to pursue the bachelor’s programme in film studies. 

Scope: A degree in this course will give you expertise in theoretical and technical skills. The skill set is needed to work in the creative industry. Along with script writing, screening, acting, you will be taught to handle camera, control sound, manage location and work as a director or a producer. From making a film or acting in it to working behind the scenes, all comes in the package of ‘film studies’.

Job opportunities: Eligible candidate can apply for direct jobs like film director, broadcast presenter, location manager, television production manager and television camera operator. Also this degree is considered for job of an advertising art director and community art worker. 

Salary: Minimum salary is 22,000 and maximum is 2 lakh per month. 

Since this industry is about tough competition, only hardworking, dedicated and adaptive candidates can make a mark. To get a good package, a person must start building a good portfolio while pursuing the degree. Shooting short films and presenting them at film festivals is the right way to begin the career. These opportunities will provide you a chance to meet people in the field and establish contacts with them.

Film studies v/s visual arts:

People often use the terms ‘Film Studies’ and ‘Visual Arts’ interchangeably. However, these are two separate disciplines. 

Film studies explores narrative, cultural, artistic, economic and political implication of cinema. The degree in this stream is BA (Film Studies). Visual arts covers the three segments i.e. fine arts (sculpture, architecture, drawing and painting), decorative arts (mosaic art, glass art and jewellery art) and contemporary art (art print, video art and photography). The degree in this stream is BA (Visual Arts)

Institute watch

• Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
• Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Kolkata
• The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad
• Mad Arts Jaspal Bhatti Film School, Mohali
• Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
• DeshBhagat University, Fatehgarh Sahib 
• Chandigarh University, Gharaun  
• Delhi Film Institute