Employment
In 2004, there were about 368,000 wage and salary jobs in the motion picture and video industries. Most of the workers were in motion picture and video production. They are involved in casting, acting, directing, editing, film processing, and motion picture and videotape reproduction. Although seven major studios produce most of the motion pictures released in the United States, many small companies are used as contractors throughout the process. Most motion picture and video establishments employ fewer than 5 workers (chart 1).
Many additional individuals work in the motion picture and video industries on a freelance, contract, or part-time basis, but accurate statistics on their numbers are not available. Numerous people in the film industry are self-employed, selling their services to anyone who needs them and often working on productions for many different companies during the year. Competition for these jobs is intense, and many people are unable to earn a living solely from freelance work.
Employment in the production of motion pictures and other films for television is centered in Los Angeles and New York City. Studios also are located in Chicago; Orlando; Irving, Texas; and Wilmington, North Carolina. In addition, many films are shot on location throughout the United States and abroad.
| Occupation | Employment, 2004 | Percent change, 2004-14 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percent | ||
| |||
All occupations | 368 | 100.0 | 17.1 |
| |||
Management, business, and financial occupations | 27 | 7.4 | 24.2 |
General and operations managers | 9 | 2.6 | 17.6 |
Operations specialties managers | 4 | 1.0 | 27.1 |
Accountants and auditors | 2 | 0.6 | 26.3 |
| |||
Professional and related occupations | 148 | 40.3 | 26.7 |
Computer specialists | 6 | 1.7 | 38.1 |
Multi-media artists and animators | 7 | 2.0 | 39.5 |
Graphic designers | 2 | 0.6 | 26.7 |
Actors | 30 | 8.0 | 19.1 |
Producers and directors | 13 | 3.6 | 26.5 |
Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other | 43 | 11.8 | 27.3 |
Audio and video equipment technicians | 8 | 2.2 | 27.7 |
Sound engineering technicians | 4 | 1.0 | 28.2 |
Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture | 7 | 1.9 | 26.4 |
Film and video editors | 10 | 2.7 | 27.3 |
| |||
Service occupations | 107 | 29.2 | 8.5 |
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 3 | 0.8 | 5.2 |
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 7 | 1.8 | 4.7 |
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 33 | 8.9 | 23.0 |
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 4 | 1.2 | 9.7 |
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers | 4 | 1.2 | 4.4 |
Motion picture projectionists | 9 | 2.5 | -16.4 |
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers | 42 | 11.3 | 4.2 |
| |||
Sales and related occupations | 36 | 9.9 | 2.3 |
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 3 | 0.8 | -2.7 |
Cashiers, except gaming | 22 | 6.1 | -5.7 |
| |||
Office and administrative support occupations | 34 | 9.1 | 13.6 |
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 4 | 1.2 | 12.7 |
Customer service representatives | 4 | 1.1 | 29.3 |
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 3 | 0.7 | 15.2 |
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 5 | 1.3 | 19.3 |
Office clerks, general | 5 | 1.3 | 10.0 |
| |||
Production occupations | 5 | 1.2 | 7.1 |
| |||
Transportation and material moving occupations | 8 | 2.1 | 16.5 |
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 6 | 1.6 | 14.6 |
| |||
Note: May not add to totals due to omission of occupations with small employment | |||