by Samuel Cook
Can you go on and on about the stylistic choices and themes in the work of popular or indie directors? Do you enjoy giving TV show suggestions to your friends and prefer inviting them for a movie night instead of a wild outing? In this case, your cinephilia can not only brighten your life with new shows or films, but also add some more weight to your wallet. Through this article, you can learn ways to combine your interest in the latest cinema and TV with financial rewards!
Become a movie or TV show extra
You can witness a movie or TV show production even without becoming an actor or actress. Regardless of whether directors work on creating massive blockbuster movies or indie short films, they all need extras. These individuals blend seamlessly with the background, lending every production a sense of realism and authenticity.
Joining a movie or TV show production as an extra is also not impossible. Your best bet is looking for local agencies that accept extra applications. You provide your photo and some general details, and they contact you if any opportunities arise.
Of course, you can take more proactive approaches: follow local directors or movie production companies on social media. They may be the first to announce upcoming projects and provide instructions on how to apply.
Get paid for watching and reviewing content
You can earn for re-watching your favourite movies and catching up on the latest TV show episodes. In this case, you can get paid to watch videos, such as various advertisements, social media content (such as Reels or YouTube), or pilot episodes. JumpTask specialises in providing micro-tasks, such as watching product reviews or how-to videos. After completing such tasks, you receive your reward and can immediately start a new task.
Similarly, you can reinvent the way you approach your hobby. Movie reviews or deep-dive analysis into content are a lucrative field. Thus, you could launch a social media career, positioning yourself as a successful blogger or a TikTok/YouTube creator.
In both cases, you can generate earnings from affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, ads, and various partnerships. A variety of monetization options are relevant for bloggers or social media creators.
Become a stunt person
Stunt people are incredibly important to a film or TV show production, but they often go unnoticed by the general public. These professionals typically resemble the main leads (or other characters) and take up more risky scenes. For example, a scene where the main character falls or performs a dizzying karate routine is likely to be a stunt person doing all the work.
Of course, a career as a stunt person is not for everyone. You need some physical preparation to perform complex and physically demanding activities.
However, many activities can open doors to stunt doubling. For example, some requirements might be particular, such as a production looking for an expert horse rider for the stunt double gig.
Besides establishing their physical skills, stunt people are also actors, so learning how to perform believably and fluidly helps them secure roles more quickly. Additionally, there are some risks involved with stunt work; therefore, avoid more risky projects and prepare with an extensive health insurance policy for any work-related accidents.
Becoming a writer for TV shows or films
If you’re always thinking about plots and character development ideas, joining TV writer crews could become your goal. Of course, some opportunities may require specialised education, such as a focus on screenwriting at colleges or universities. However, such jobs are possible even without a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The most achievable approach would be to join a TV or movie production crew as a regular member. Then, after you warm up to how things work, you can position yourself as a potential writer. Applying for internships and fellowships can also help network with people and foster meaningful partnerships. In general, entry-level opportunities will be the most accessible for beginners. For example, screenwriting jobs on Upwork offer a variety of opportunities, including scriptwriting for YouTube videos.
Try voice acting
Animated TV shows and movies require several voice actors, and you could become one of them. However, if stunt people need to focus on believable performance through their physical movements, voice actors must train their voice and diction, and pair it with excellent acting skills.
You might have seen some shows where characters’ voices sound flat, and they do not convincingly portray emotions. Your job as a voice actor is not only to have a captivating and clear voice, but also to infuse it with more acting talent.
Translate movies and TV shows
Another excellent opportunity for bilingual people is to find opportunities to translate TV shows or movies. Local networks or other services will likely seek individuals willing to translate such content. Of course, they might already have their go-to people, but even local movie producers could need subtitles to show their films to a broader international audience. If you speak multiple languages, consider becoming a translator, which also means getting paid as you watch the latest titles. Besides translation, some services pay people to transcribe videos or add subtitles. The pay might be lower, but it still counts as additional income!
Start your own production
If you have an idea for a short film or TV series, don’t let it slide. Prepare a script and the estimated budget. You could start crowdfunding campaigns to gather the necessary funds or apply for various assistance programs. For instance, your local media providers could announce contests that offer funding to winners.
Conclusion
Spending an entire day watching movies or TV shows is not the most productive use of time. However, if we add the ‘earning’ element to it, things change rather significantly. Instead of simply rewatching your favourite movie, you could be looking for clues and quotes for your YouTube deep-dive video. So, don’t forget that you could earn additional income by becoming an extra or a stunt person, writing for TV or movies, voice acting, translating or subtitling, or even starting your own project!
