How to get into film journalism - the inside scoop

Hold the front row

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Moving On Mag

What does it take to break into an illustrious career in film journalism? Chris Bird talks to two young journalists to get the inside scoop.

BY CHRIS BIRD

Isabel Stevens, Production Editor of Sight & Sound, graduated from Exeter University in 2004 with a BA in English & Fine Arts. The course provided Isabel with a platform to explore different areas: from English driven modules, to writing scripts in others. When I asked Isabel about the importance of her degree she said: “I think you do need a BA, because otherwise I don’t think employers will consider you. We don’t take interns in our office unless they’re at university, normally they’re MA students or have finished their BA already.”

From university, Isabel made the conscious decision to find work experience, rather than continue in education.

She explained her decision, “I did think about doing an MA. I decided that it’s probably better to spend the money doing work experience and interning.”

This decision led Isabel to research and find numerous work experience opportunities. Isabel interned at Thames & Hudson (book publisher), Art Review magazine in London and Aperture Foundation magazine in New York.

After returning to England Isabel found her first job at a magazine called Contemporary. It was during her time at Contemporary that Isabel landed her current job at Sight & Sound.

Isabel’s decision to find internships and work experience clearly paid off. The field of journalism is incredibly competitive and is even more diffucult to break into film journalism. Work experience can be an integral part of a successful breakthrough, as it can make your CV stand out and display to employers your determination and willingness to learn.

Isabel is now in her ideal job: writing about film and working in a fast-paced environment in the heart of London. Richard Jordan is another young journalist who has achieved great success in the competitive world of film journalism. Richard is currently the News Editor for Total Film. I was lucky enough to chat to Richard at the swankyTotal Film offices in London.

Richard graduated with a BA in Film, Television, and Radio Studies, from Staffordshire University.

After graduating, Richard spent a year deliberating on his career choices, before deciding on a career in journalism. He was quick in landing some work experience at Hot Dog magazine in London. It was during his time atHot Dog that Richard was recommended a postgraduate course at Cardiff University.

Richard made the decision to go back to education and acquire a post- graduate diploma. Richard enlisted on the Cardiff postgraduate journalism course, a course that is NCTJ accredited (National Council for the Training of Journalists). The fact that the course was NCTJ accredited was a major attraction.

He explains: “It gives employers confidence. So much of journalism now is having to be mindful of the law around it: defamation laws, intellectual property laws etc. I think courses like that show employers that you know this stuff and the issues surrounding it.”

Much like Isabel, Richard was shrewd in his pursuit of work experience. As well as Hot Dog, Richard carried out work experience with his future employer: Total Film.

“It always looks really good on your CV. Especially as the job market isn’t great at the moment. Several people that we’ve had in on work experience are now our best freelancers.”

Work experience also provides a great chance to get networking. Networking is extremely important, especially when it comes to getting a job in the media. During work experience at DVD Review magazine, Richard landed his job at Total Film.

“Being nice and personable gets you a long way. When I went for the job on Total Film, the Editor asked one of the guys that worked at DVD Review about me. If they had said ‘he was surly, he didn’t want to do much work’ there is no way I would have got this job. You never ever know when things are going to come back round, so I think: treat every meeting as an opportunity.”

Richard has since managed to work his way up the ladder to become the News Editor forTotal Film.

The journalism industry is incredibly competitive and the clouds of uncertainty regarding employment continue to linger. But one thing is certain, the hard work is most definitely worth it.