We surveyed 2,120 filmmakers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical filmmaker. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a filmmaker?
Low
High
Working as a filmmaker typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that filmmakers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a filmmaker?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a filmmaker typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a filmmaker?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically quite difficult to find a job as a filmmaker. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for filmmakers.
Do filmmakers work full-time or part-time?
39% of filmmakers work in full-time roles while 61% work part-time.
Is being a filmmaker stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for filmmakers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a filmmaker?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a filmmaker.
How competitive is the workplace for filmmakers?
Low
High
Filmmakers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being a filmmaker require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Filmmakers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are filmmakers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Creativity is intrinsic to being a filmmaker, and a highly valuable part of the career.
Do filmmakers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Filmmakers have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.
Is being a filmmaker physically demanding?
Low
High
Being a filmmaker requires significant physical work, and is not a career for those unable to perform continuous and/or strenuous physical activity.
Are filmmakers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of a filmmaker changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being a filmmaker require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for filmmakers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good filmmaker require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as filmmakers.