Freelance projects where you become one of the crew
Welcome to the crew! Working as a professional craftsperson and technician means you are part of the team that makes screen stories come alive. The work is freelance and project-based, meaning that you may work on a teen drama one year and a big budget feature film the following year. The work is different every day.
Working on set in production is not 9 to 5 work. As a freelancer, work patterns are somewhat seasonal, and the workdays are longer, often 12-15 hours long. Work can take place in many different locations, so reliable access to a vehicle is recommended.
Expect to earn well: the median annual wages for below-the-line workers (working full time or part time and inclusive of overtime) is $58,460. That’s 34% higher than median individual wages for full and part time workers in BC in 2017. Source: B.C. Motion Picture Below-the-Line Labour Market Study
Learning from mentors Below-the-Line is key.
“It’s people within the industry that train everyone else.”
~Lead Dresser/Set Decorator, Labour Market Study, 2019