Careers by Major - Cinema Studies

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Cinema Studies graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions available to Cinema Studies graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Film Editor*
  • Historian*
  • Director of Photography*/ Cinematographer
  • Casting Director*
  • Art Director*
  • Critic*
  • Special Effects Technician*
  • Set Designer*
  • Lighting Designer
  • Archivist*
  • Curator*
  • Advertising Account Executive*
  • Director*
  • Costume Designer*
  • Teacher*
  • Legal Secretary*
  • Website Designer*
  • Communications Specialist*
  • Graphic Artist
  • Marketing Specialist*
  • Programmer
  • Museum Technician
  • Sound Designer
  • Exhibit Designer*
  • Advertising Copywriter*
  • Consultant
  • Agent*
  • Journalist*
  • Sales Agent
  • Antique Dealer*
  • Appraiser*
  • Translator*
  • Concept Artist
  • Specialist Researcher
  • Draughtsman
  • Post Production Supervisor
  • Script Supervisor
  • Actor*
  • Camera Operator*
  • Broadcast Technician*
  • Writer*
  • Computer Animator*
  • Production Designer
  • Editor*
  • Acting Instructor*
  • Lighting Technician*
  • Producer*
  • Interior Designer*
  • Photojournalist*
  • Distributor
  • Multimedia Developer*
  • Stage Manager
  • Recording Engineer*
  • Sound Technician*
  • Reporter*
  • Activist*
  • Location Manager
  • Media Buyer
  • Technical Writer*
  • Publicist
  • Publisher*
  • Art Administrator*
  • Production Accountant
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Conservator*
  • Demographer
  • Illustrator*
  • Announcer*
  • Heritage Interpreter
  • Librarian*
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Drapemaster
  • Camera Operator*
  • Marketing and Publicity Manager

 

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre account.

Potential employers

  • Movie, video, television, and theatre production companies
  • Film studios and TV/radio stations
  • Theatre, opera, dance companies
  • Museums/ art galleries
  • Advertising agencies
  • Heritage/ cultural organizations
  • Conservation institutes
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Exhibit design companies
  • Non-profit agencies
  • Archives
  • Publishing houses
  • Educational institutions
  • Multimedia firms/design companies
  • Photo agencies/ studios
  • Casting agencies
  • Libraries
  • Model making companies
  • Festivals
  • Consulting firms
  • Government and legal agencies
  • Self-employed/ freelance

Skills developed by Cinema Studies students

  • Thinking critically
  • Thinking visually
  • Interpreting cultures
  • Creativity
  • Researching and writing effectively
  • Presenting theories/ideas
  • Communication skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Conveying complex information
  • Organizational skills
  • Attention to Detail

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates.  To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Agency Assistant, Vanguarde Artists Management
  • Sales Coordinator, Sullivan Entertainment
  • Staff Writer, Longtail Studios
  • Broadcast Maintenance Technician, Astral Media
  • Television Host, The ShootingStar Film Co.
  • Marketing & Social Lead, PTV Productions
  • Rendering Production Assistant, Dayluxe Gallery Inc.
  • Art Sales & Marketing Representative, Sullivan Entertainment
  • Technical Director, DHX Media Ltd. Toronto
  • Communication Coordinator, Gallery TPW
  • Interactive Media Designer, Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Systems Administrator, Re:Sound Music Licensing Company
  • Marketing and Promotions Co-ordinator, Metalworks Institute of Sound and Music Production
  • Technician – Textiles & Costume, Royal Ontario Museum
  • Programmer, Short Cuts Canada, Toronto International Film Festival
  • Videographer, Creative Bube Tube
  • Technical Director, Pixar Animation Studios
  • Distribution Assistant, Octapixx Worldwide
  • Promotional Actors, LiveEuroClean
  • Archivist/Librarian, Royal Ontario Museum
  • Managing Director, Arts Starts Neighbourhood Cultural Centre
  • Media Arts Education Workshop Facilitator, Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre
  • Foreign Language Subtitle Editor, SDI Media Canada Inc.
  • Filmed Content Librarian, E1 Entertainment
  • Freelance Writer, Poize Magazine

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer positions

  • Associate Editor, Grey House Publishing Canada
  • Heritage Programmer, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
  • Exhibition Assistant, UofT- Hart House, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
  • Film Summer Programs Workshop Facilitator, Freeze Frame, Media Arts Centre
  • Marketing and Sales, Sphere Entertainment
  • Digitization Assistant, Multicultural History Society of Ontario
  • Curatorial & Programming Assistant, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum
  • Driver/Production Assistant, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
  • Administrative Assistant, Events, Harbourfront Centre

Part-time positions

  • Audio-Visual Technician, UofT Hart House
  • Freelance Translator, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc.
  • Graphic Designer, Road 2 Direction Inc.
  • Production Assistant, Art of the Danforth
  • Photographer, Imager Studios
  • Book Reviewer, Foliovision
  • Advertising Representative, Vive Magazine
  • Library Clerk, Toronto International Film Festival
  • Art Instructor, Oakville Galleries
  • Indigenous Community Arts Network Assistant, ArtBridges – A project of Tides Canada Initiatives
  • Station  Manager, CFRE Radio
  • Program Coordinator, I Have a Dream – Scarborough Arts
  • Copy & Video Editor, Ontario Association of Art Galleries

Work-Study positions

  • Video Editor, UTM Institute of Communication & Culture
  • Technical Assistant, Department of English & Drama
  • Copy Editor, The Medium, UTM Student Affairs & Services
  • Editorial Assistant, Department of Historical Studies
  • Cinema Studies Website Coordinator, Department of Visual Studies
  • Fine Arts Visual Resources Assistant, UTM Institute of Communication and Culture
  • Promotions and Advertising Coordinator, The Medium, UTM Student Affairs & Services
  • Curator Research Assistant, UTM Blackwood Gallery
  • Digital Imaging Assistant, UTM Institute of Communication & Culture

Volunteer positions

  • Jr. Graphic Designer, Sullivan Entertainment
  • Creative Script Writer, Virtual Team Builders
  • Audio Volunteer, Virtual Team Builders
  • TV Distribution & Marketing, Kelencontent
  • Video Reporter, Chernobyl Foundation
  • Film Festival Planning Committee, Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival
  • Publication Designer, Varsity Publications, Ltd.
  • Assistant Art Director, Arbitrage Magazine
  • Marketing Video Designer, Second You
  • Gallery Sitter, The Latcham Gallery
  • Illustrator, Jam Van inc.
  • Volunteer Docent/Museum Teacher, The Bata Shoe Museum

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Film Production, Bandersnatch Pictures
  • Art Director – Advertising, TAXI
  • Exhibit Designer, Ontario Science Centre
  • Broadcasting, CFTR-AM (680 NEWS)
  • Curator, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at U of T Mississauga

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Other ways to get involved

UTM Clubs and Community Associations: Join on-campus clubs and community associations that demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for particular industries. Check out the UTM Visual Culture & Communication Association and the UTM Artistic Resource Team.

Professional associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one ay to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

http://www.academy.ca/ Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television

“Established in 1979, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a national, non-profit, professional association dedicated to the promotion, recognition, and celebration of exceptional achievements in Canadian film and television.”  Their mandate is to “heighten public awareness and increase audience attendance, viewership, and appreciation of Canadian film and television productions, as well as preserve and promote Canada’s film and television heritage.”

http://www.dgc.ca/ Directors Guild of Canada

“The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organisation that represents over 3,800 key creative and logistical personnel in the film and television industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The DGC negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies extensively on issues of concern for members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and ensuring that funding is maintained for Canadian film and television programming.”

http://www.csc.ca/ Canadian Society of Cinematographers

“The purpose of the CSC is to promote the art and craft of cinematography and to provide tangible recognition of the common bonds that link film and video professionals, from the aspiring student and camera assistant to the news veteran and senior director of photography.  CSC members are involved in the production of feature films, documentaries, television series, specials and commercials.  Its mandate supports a full agenda of training, education, and dissemination of the latest in technical and product information.”

http://www.actra.ca/main/ Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists

"ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the union of more than 22,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada including TV, film, radio and digital media.  We are actors, recording artists, comedians, announcers, stunt co-ordinators & performers, dancers, narrators, voice performers, hosts, choreographers, models, singers, background performers, puppeteers and more.  ACTRA’s principal role is to negotiate, administer and enforce collective agreements to provide performers with equitable compensation as well as safe and reasonable working conditions."

http://www.adg.org/ Art Directors Guild

“The IA, as it is commonly known, is an international union, which exclusively represents employees in the entertainment industry, spanning the United States and Canada with more than 104,000 members.  It is comprised of Art Directors, Graphic Artists, Illustrators, Matte Artists, Model Makers, Scenic Artists, Set Designers and Title Artists.”

http://www.cmpa.ca/ Canadian Media Production Association

“The CMPA is Canada's leading trade association for independent producers.  They represent almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films and digital media.  The CMPA works on behalf of members to promote and stimulate the Canadian production industry.  Their goal is to ensure the continued success of Canada's independent production sector and a future for Canadian content.  On behalf of their members they actively lobby federal and provincial governments on various policy areas including broadcasting, copyright, taxation and trade.  They negotiate labour agreements with key unions and guilds and we support producers when dealing with these agreements.”

http://www.criticschoice.com/bfca/ Broadcast Film Critics Association

“The Broadcast Film Critics Association is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing over 250 television, radio and online critics.

Resources

Career Centre Library resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Top Careers for Art Graduates
  • Careers for Film Buffs & Other Hollywood Types
  • Careers for Culture Lovers & Other Artsy Types
  • Breaking into Film
  • Opportunities in Television and Video Careers
  • Starting Your Career in Broadcasting: Working On and Off the Air on Radio and Television
  • From Shortwave to Widescreen: Careers in Film and Broadcasting

Web links:

UTM Career Centre panel packages:

  • Lights, Camera, Career!  How to Network so that the Spotlight Shines Brightest on You (2007)
  • The Keys To A Successful Career As An Independent Artist (2010)
  • Stagestruck: Careers in Theatre & Drama Studies (2006)

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).