The film industry isn’t dying. It’s exploding and it’s happening closer to home than you think.
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I want to work in film, but I don’t live in Los Angeles,” it’s time to update that story.
Netflix just announced it will spend approximately $20 billion on content in 2026, a 10% increase over the previous year and a figure the company’s CFO says is “not anywhere near a ceiling.”
The streaming giant now supports more than 425,000 jobs worldwide and claims an estimated $325 billion in total economic impact.
But here’s what doesn’t make the headlines: a significant chunk of that production is happening right here in North Carolina.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Film Is Booming in Your Backyard
In 2022 alone, filmmakers spent $258 million on productions in North Carolina. That figure has only grown as major studios, streaming platforms, and independent producers continue to scout the state for locations, crew, and talent.
And the demand isn’t theoretical it’s showing up in job boards today.
As of this writing, there are:
- 52 open film production jobs in North Carolina on Glassdoor
- 103 film jobs available on Indeed across the state
- 367 video producer positions currently hiring in Charlotte alone, with salaries ranging from $53,000 to $147,000
The average hourly rate for film industry work in North Carolina sits at $25.39, with experienced crew members earning up to $34 per hour.
Real Jobs Hiring Right Now in North Carolina
If you think “film jobs” only mean directing blockbusters, think again. The industry needs camera operators, editors, producers, content managers, and production assistants and employers are posting those roles this week.
Here are actual listings currently open across the state:
Charlotte, NC
- Video Editor – Charlotte Hornets (posted July 30)
- Brand Video Content Manager – Charlotte Hornets (posted July 30)
- Senior Director of Production – Charlotte Hornets (posted 7 days ago)
- Broadcast Video Production Associate – Charlotte Knights (AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) (seasonal, March–September 2026)
- Content Workflow Analyst – Tegna (posted 6 days ago)
- Program & Content Specialist – Hearst Television (posted February 2026)
Winston-Salem, NC
- Creative Services Videographer / Promo Producer – Hearst Television (posted 3 days ago)
- Digital Content Producer – Hearst Television (posted 8 days ago)
Wilmington, NC
- News Reporter / MMJ – Gray Television / WECT (posted 3 days ago)
- Weekend Anchor/Reporter – Gray Television / WECT (posted 2 days ago)
Raleigh & Research Triangle
- Principal Software Development Engineer in Test (Media Player) – Disney (Morrisville, posted 7 days ago)
- Communications Director – Epic Games (Cary, posted 7 days ago)
Greenville & Eastern NC
- Multimedia Journalist – Nexstar (posted 3 days ago)
- Creative Services Director – Gray Television / WHNS (posted 3 days ago)
And that’s just a snapshot.
Why This Moment Matters for Beginners
Here’s the part most people miss: the people hiring aren’t looking for film degrees. They’re looking for proof you can do the work.
The Charlotte Knights’ Broadcast Video Production Associate posting explicitly asks for experience with “editing, shooting, audio, lighting, writing, storytelling” and familiarity with the Adobe Suite including Premiere, After Effects, and Photoshop.”
Hearst Television’s Creative Services Videographer role calls for someone who can create “cinematic, emotionally compelling promotional and branded content across television, digital, and social platforms.”
These are skills you can learn. In 12 weeks. With your hands on real equipment.
The Barrier to Entry Has Never Been Lower
Consider this: mobile devices now account for 51.76% of all global internet traffic. Audiences are watching more video on their phones than on TVs or laptops. The gear that used to cost $50,000 now fits in your pocket—or is available in professional editing labs on brand-new Apple M3 Macs with industry-standard software.
Netflix itself is leaning into this shift. The company has used generative AI workflows on roughly 300 titles to enhance production efficiency, and co-CEO Ted Sarandos notes that AI tools are allowing creators to produce “higher quality output more quickly and efficiently.”
Translation? The tools are cheaper. The distribution is global. And the demand for people who know how to use both is through the roof.
But Here’s the Catch
There is a gap between wanting to work in film and getting hired and it’s not talent. It’s training.
North Carolina has lost several of its traditional broadcasting schools in recent years. The Carolina School of Broadcasting closed in 2021. The Connecticut School of Broadcasting shut its doors in 2023. Aspiring creators in Charlotte were left with online tutorials and expensive four-year programs as their only options.
That’s exactly why The Media Arts Center built its 12-week Filmmaking Intensive.
Not a lecture hall. Not a theory class. A hands-on, in-person program where you write, direct, shoot, and edit your own short film using professional-grade equipment.
Here’s what you walk away with:
- A finished short film for your portfolio
- A certificate of completion that proves you trained at a professional facility
- Direct instruction from industry professionals who guest-teach and mentor
- Experience with scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, audio, and editing
- Access to 16 optional lab sessions and professional studio space
Tuition: $1,800. Time commitment: 12 weeks.
Oh—and if Spanish is your first language? Clases en Español están disponibles.
The Real Question Is Simple
Netflix is spending $20 billion. Disney, Amazon, Apple, and YouTube are spending billions more. North Carolina has productions rolling through year-round. And employers within a 50-mile radius of Charlotte are actively hiring for video and film roles right now.
The only variable is whether you show up with the skills.
You don’t need to move to Los Angeles. You don’t need a four-year degree. You need 12 weeks, a willingness to learn, and a program that treats you like a creator, not a student.
Learn More About the 12-Week Filmmaking Intensive →
Or come see the space for yourself. We offer free group tours the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm and the second Thursday at 10am. No pressure. Just walk through, meet the team, and decide if this is where your film career starts.
The Media Arts Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
P.S. — The Charlotte Knights’ video production season runs through September 30, 2026. That’s a real, paid job you could apply for this year—if you have the skills. In 12 weeks, you could.
