Film (Careers in Focus) - Hardcover

Gr. 9-12. This title in the excellent Careers in Focus series offers a candid introduction to the careers that support the film industry. Following the series format, each fact-dense chapter focuses on a specific job title, such as actor, talent agent, or producer. Subsections in each chapter offer a historic overview of the profession, summarize educational requirements, describe the actual work, and provide tips for starting out and developing a career in the area. "Quick Facts" boxes list statistics, such as average income and expected growth in the industry. Some chapters include substantial lists of resources and related organizations; others feature interviews with successful professionals. The advice ranges from obvious and basic (the screenwriting section notes, "Word- processing skills are also helpful") to strategic and specific, such as the networking benefits of attending various film schools around the country. Teens contemplating glamorous careers in the entertainment industry will come away both sobered and inspired by this rich resource. Gillian Engberg
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Grade 5-9–Two handy, quick-reference sources. The layout is logical and the books cover a wide range of high-profile and behind-the-scenes jobs. The introductions have lists of questions to help readers focus on what they like to do and possible career paths. Each concise entry is two to four pages long and addresses the big topics of interest for this audience, such as "Education and Training," "Earnings," and "Outlook." Some chapters include profiles of people in the profession or tips for those just exploring these career options. The black-and-white photos and computer graphics are not exactly thrilling but they do break up the texts and keep the look more interesting for reluctant readers. Solid additions for career sections.–Laura Younkin, Ballard High School, Louisville, KY
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