Get inspired with our top 10 Creative Industry careers

Does a career in the creative industry appeal to you? We’ve compiled our top selection of creative careers within the screen industries to help you get started.

At Capital City College (CCC), we’re dead set on supporting creativity, both through our Creative Skills Academy and our wide range of courses. We see creativity as essential to innovation and value fresh perspectives that can provide unique solutions to a whole host of challenges.

So how can you use your creative mind to build a rewarding career? We’ve put together our top 10 creative careers, with a specific focus on the screen industries, to help you explore some of the exciting professions on offer.

3D Artist and Animator

The job of the 3D artist or animator is to create three-dimensional models, animations, and visual effects. These are used across various media including video games, films, television, and advertisements. This role requires artistic talent, technical skills, and creativity to bring characters, environments and objects to life.

3D Artist and Animator courses:

• AI Image Generation with Adobe Firefly (Creative Skills Academy)
• 3D Applied Design: Architecture – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL)
• Animation and Games Design – Level 3 Extended Diploma
• Games Design and Animation – Level 3 Extended Diploma
• Creative Media Production and Technology (Game Design and Animation) – Level 3 Diploma
• Games Animation and VFX Skills [NextGen] – Level 3 Extended Diploma

Camera Trainee

Camera trainees work within the camera department to learn the basics of camera work. As a camera trainee, you can expect to be responsible for preparing camera equipment, assisting with camera setup and operation during production, and helping to wrap things up after production has finished. Camera trainees work usually closely with other team members such as the second assistant camera or focus puller and tend to take on more responsibilities as they build their skills and gain experience.

Camera Trainee courses:

• Photojournalism and Documentary Photography – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL)

Photographer

Being a photographer is about more than simply capturing an attractive image. Photographers have to discuss project briefs with clients before finding and preparing an appropriate location for a photo shoot. On the day of the shoot, the photographer usually sets up all the equipment and carefully arranges suitable lighting for their subject. Once the photos have been taken, they are also responsible for checking, editing and processing images as required before selecting the best shots to present to the client.

Photography courses:

• Product Photography – Introduction (Creative Skills Academy)
• Photography – A Level (Pearson)
• Photography – A Level (Eduqas)
• Photography and Communication – Level 3 Diploma

Costume Trainee

As you might expect, a costume trainee supports the costume department by helping out with research and fittings to help develop and create costumes for a production. They may be asked to set up work areas, assist with costume fittings and alterations, dress actors, and help to look after costumes through maintenance or by managing costume care. Costume trainees work closely with costume designers and other team members to support actors as they step into their roles. 

Costume Trainee courses:

• Costume and Wardrobe Work Experience Programme (Creative Skills Academy)
• Sewing Machinist – Level 2 Apprenticeship
• Fashion and Textiles – Level 3 Extended Diploma
• Fashion and Textiles – A Level (Pearson)
• Textiles and Fashion – A Level (Eduqas)

Production Accountant

A production accountant does everything a regular accountant does, but they get to do their job on film and TV sets! This role involves assisting with budget preparation and management, working closely with producers, directors and other key production team members to ensure that the production is delivered on time and within budget. To learn more about becoming an accountant, check out our blog on how to become an accountant.

Production Accountant courses:

• Production Accounting for Film and Television – Introduction (Creative Skills Academy)
• Accountant Assistant – Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (AAT)
• Accounting, Legal and Finance – T Level

Hair and Make-up Artist

A hair and make-up artist helps to build a character by crafting their unique visual appearance. Their highly creative work involves collaborating with directors to understand and reflect the visual style of a production. They do this by looking closely at the script to prepare for different looks and planning hair and make-up requirements. During production, they are responsible for applying make-up and styling hair with precision to ensure continuity. Hair and make-up artists require technical proficiency, creativity, attention to detail as well as strong communication, and organisation skills.

Hair and Make-up Artist courses:

• Media Make-Up – Introduction (Creative Skills Academy)
• Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up – Level 3 Diploma
• Cosmetic Make-Up – Level 2 Certificate

Runner

A runner works on the front line of production and plays a crucial role in all aspects of the process. They help out with paperwork and administration as well as taking an active role on set helping the cast and production crew with anything they need. Runners are expected to be ready to muck in and lend a hand to ensure production goes smoothly. Working as a runner is a great way to start out in the film and TV industry as it offers a unique insight into the production process and the chance to gain valuable industry experience.

Runner courses:

• Creative Media Production – Level 1 Diploma
• Creative Media Production – Level 2 Diploma
• Creative Media Production – Level 2 Diploma (UAL)
• Performing and Production Arts – Level 2 Diploma
• Performing Arts and Production Arts – Level 3 Extended Diploma

Visual Effects (VFX) Producer

Visual Effects (VFX) producers are responsible for managing the creation of VFX for TV or film productions. They are responsible for making sure that their client, usually a director or producer, is satisfied with the work of the VFX studio. From bidding for a piece of work to building a team of artists and technical staff, the VFX producer oversees every aspect of the project including budget and scheduling. The VFX producer also works alongside the live action production crew during filming and the editors responsible for post-production.

Visual Effects (VFX) Producer courses:

• Film and Visual Effects (VFX) – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL)
• Games Animation and VFX Skills [NextGen] – Level 3 Extended Diploma
• VFX – Assistant Technical Director – Apprenticeship
• VFX – Junior 2D Artist – Apprenticeship

Marketing Assistant

If you’re a creative thinker who likes to craft content or written communications, then you might be interested in becoming a Marketing Assistant. Every creative company or organisation requires marketing in one way or another, so the marketing team needs to offer innovative and inspiring ideas. A marketing assistant supporting team members by monitoring and building strategies to reach new people as well as communicating with partners and clients through email, social media and the organisation’s website. This role can often involve helping to set up and run events so you’ll need to be organised and willing to roll up your sleeves to support your team.

Marketing Assistant courses:

• Creative Content Email Marketing – Introduction (Creative Skills Academy)
• How to Become a Successful Content Creator (Digital Skills Academy)
• Social Media Marketing – Introduction (Digital Skills Academy)
• Web Design and Content Creation for Marketing (Digital Skills Academy)
• Marketing – Level 3 National Extended Certificate
• Marketing – T Level

Video Game Designer

Video game designers create the concept, story, and gameplay for video games. Their role involves working closely with a talented team of artists, sound engineers and programmers to bring their unique vision to life. To become a successful video game designer, you’ll need excellent storytelling skills, a strong understanding of game mechanics as well as design principles and you’ll need to work effectively with others.

Video Game Designer courses:

• Computer Games Design with Animation BSc (Hons) – With A Foundation Year (Staffordshire University)
• Computer Games Design BSc (Hons) – With A Foundation Year (Staffordshire University)
• Creative Media Production and Technology (Game Design and Animation) – Level 3 Diploma

Choosing a creative career path that makes the most of your skills and passion can lead to an exciting and varied professional life – but taking that first step can be daunting. If you’re looking for support in getting hired then take a look at the Stand Out – Get Hired! Employability Coaching course, a free course offered by the Creative Skills Academy. If you’d like more information on arts-related opportunities, you can also draw inspiration from our round-up of 10 fantastic arts careers.

No matter what route you take, the creative industry offers a vast variety of exciting and fulfilling careers. Ready to get started? 

Take a look at our Creative Skills Academy and see how our Creative Skills Academy courses can support you in finding your feet within the creative industries.

Alternatively, you can also explore our range of Art, Design and Fashion courses and Digital Media and Creative Computing courses which could help you take your next steps towards a truly creative career.

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