Gigniks's video: President of Production Screen Gems

WHAT YOU DO: Work with the president of the studio to produce motion pictures. Help decide where and when films are produced, approve all schedules and budgets, and help the director and producers understand how best to make the movie -- from what locations to use to what sort of lighting and camera technologies, and everything in between. EDUCATION: A university degree in filmmaking and knowledge of film history is helpful. Hands-on experience as a filmmaker from independent productions to studio productions is needed, as well as a solid understanding of budgets and logistics. USEFUL SKILLS: Communication is key so that studio executives and filmmakers understand the challenges involved in turning a script into a finished movie. Also useful is an understanding of the marketplace and an eye for what audiences are interested in at any given time. HOW TO GET IN: It's important to have a track record that includes producing movies or overseeing movies in some way. Start with an internship or any low-level job in the industry. CAREER PATH: Learn every aspect of production from the office, to the set, to post production. Networking and hard work can help you move up from production assistant to coordinator, to associate producer, and on to producer and executive producer jobs. PAYBACK: The opportunity to be immersed in a business and art form that has gained the respect of the world. DOWNSIDES: This can be, and often times is, a fully immersive job that takes up an enormous amount of energy and time. FUTURE OF JOBS: Good management is always needed, but there is an enormous amount of competition in this industry. NETWORKING: The Nichols Fellowship Film Festivals Studio internships Video produced by students at LACES (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) working with Gigniks' careers media program. -- Ali Sanford (LACES 12th grade)