Get Reel-Ready: How to Prepare for a Film Making Career After 12th

For years films and television shows have been the go-to entertainment avenues for people . And now you can add web series to this rapidly evolving entertainment arena.  Suppose you're wondering how to become a director after 12th. In that case, the film and television subsector of the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry is an oyster of opportunities for creative individuals – plush with innovative content. With the evolution of the digital content channels and OTT platforms, this domain has become a rewarding place for young content creators to channelize their creativity and earn a livelihood.


If you have been contemplating a filmmaking career after completing your 12th grade and aren’t quite sure how to get started, here are a few pro tips to get the camera rolling.


“When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them, ‘No, I went to films.’”


– Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained)


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Preparing to Be a Film Maker: 5 Excellent Tips for Aspirants and Amateurs

  • Learn about all the different functions involved in film making

Contrary to popular belief, film making is not restricted to the process of direction. It involves several other functions that together create magic on screen. As a film making aspirant, interested in how to become a director after 12th, take the first step and understand these functions – writing, casting, planning, production, lighting, costume, art direction, set design, cinematography, editing and music.

  • Understand and learn filming technology

To build a successful career in film industry after 12th grade, it's crucial to understand every piece of equipment involved in making a film. If you aspire how to become director after 12th, or if your interest lies in a specific subset like direction, it's still essential to be familiar with every aspect of filmmaking. This includes knowledge of the types of cameras used for filming, sound recording gear, music production tools, VFX equipment, and more.

  • Work on your writing skills

Ask any great film maker, and they will tell you that good writing makes a good movie. The plot, story arc, characters, and presentation – make all the difference. So, if you have your heart set on a career in film making after 12th grade, work on your writing skills! There are several blogs and websites that offer fantastic information around topics like story writing, character development, script or screenwriting, screenplay writing, storyboarding, and more.

  • Figure out how postproduction works

Postproduction is a massive part of modern-day film making, and it is almost impossible to imagine a mainstream production that does not involve a bucketload of visual effects. Digital editing is an indispensable cog in the wheel, and contemporary software has made the process fast and convenient. Focusing on postproduction can be a great choice if you're considering a career in the film industry after 12th grade.

  • Develop your visual thinking abilities

Orson Welles once said, “Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable to others.” Develop your ability to imagine what a thought, idea, or written material will look like on-screen. Learn from the masters. Watch and analyse films, shows, series, commercials, and different kinds of videos – you will find lots of Greatest of All Time… lists online


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If you have a camera at your disposal, becoming a director is far too easy. Hey, you don’t even need a budget to get started!

“Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small or cheesy or your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director.”

– James Cameron (The Terminator, Judgment Day, Titanic, Avatar)


Being well-read and socio-politically aware will also help you when you start learning the nuances of filmmaking.

“Having an excellent understanding of history, literature, psychology, sciences – is very, very important to actually being able to make movies.”

– George Lucas (Star Wars, Indiana Jones)

While these pieces of advice are great starting points for those who wish  to build a career in the film industry after 12th, formal training in the subject is equally important. That doesn’t necessarily mean lots and lots of theoretical learning, rather it implies understanding the fundamentals of film making and applying them to practical projects. At Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism, this is exactly how we enable young minds to learn film making and guide them on how to become an director after 12th.

Once you complete your 12th, you can pursue a career in the film industry after 12th by enrolling in a  professional film-making course like the degree in film-making we offer at our Pune, Bengaluru, and  Chandigarh  campuses. If you're specifically interested in how to become a director after 12th, you might consider our film-making diploma in Pune or Bengaluru, which provides a focused pathway into this dynamic field.

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Written by: Utkarsh Salunkhe

Last updated: 26-08-2024

Utkarsh was honored with the 7th Dadasaheb Phalke film award for his short film "Grey," and presently, he is working on post-production of a Trilogy feature film project called 'SHADES' for which he is responsible as a Writer, Director, Editor and Art Director.