Film making & Production

After completing your school, you can appear for entrance tests conducted by the institutes mentioned below:
1.Film and Television Institute of India
2.Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
3.Government Film Institute
4.Ramoji Film and Television Academy
5.Biju Pattanaik Film & Television Institute
How is Competition?
Cinematography is a popular major in most colleges who offer the course, and so it is expected to get very competitive in the future. Experience and Seniority in the field often are imperative to get ahead of the competition. However, cinematographers are expected to enjoy stable employment prospects, thus making it an attractive industry to enter.
Employment of Cinematographers is expected to increase 11 % between 2008 and 2018, according to December 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate of growth is about average compared to other careers. This ensures that the competition remained fierce in this industry with new talent graduating every year and entering this field.
What are Salary Prospects?
Cinematographer's earnings vary, depending upon location, experience, and employment specifics. In the United States, an average salary of $40,000 per annum is paid to a cinematographer; however, there are also jobs which pay six digit salaries. Cinematographers tend to make more money working for motion pictures rather than working for the television industry.
In India, a cinematographer who has just joined the industry is paid Rs. 84,000 Rs. 96,000 per year. As the cinematographer becomes more experienced, his/her salary rises to Rs. 480,000 Rs. 600,000 a year. The salary also depends upon the project on which the cinematographer is working on.

Yes, it is a good course to pursue.
Film making is possibly the broadest and most varied creative opportunity in mass media. A blend of creativity and technicality, Films are an important media, not only for entertainment and information, but also for communication. It is inclusive of feature films, documentaries, Promotional films, TV commercials, music Videos, etc. The technique of filmmaking is a teamwork which needs close and coherent organization of various skilled individuals. It involves acting, directing, producing, script writing, cinematography, sound recording, visual mixing, editing and so on.
A film maker has to concentrate on all these concepts equally. He should be having that creative as well as technical knack for story ideas and unique implementation towards carrying out an appealing effect. His job demands a lot of work that is from ideas, story, script, cast, screenplay, music, direction, budget, sets, location and the list is endless. He has to start at the very bottom and work his way up. I.e. beginning with raising capital for the film to its distribution, screening as well as all the stages of its crafting.
The field of film making is highly competitive and has a lot of scope for employment opportunities too. Especially, in India which releases a large number of films every year. If one possesses artistic and technical skills and at the same time an ability to express ideas, this is the most appropriate field to work in. Even for acting and directing, which are basically creative fields that require inherent talent; training helps to hone the skills. In areas like cinematography, sound engineering and editing, professional training is essential.
So where should one begin from? How should you be prepared? And, Can anyone be a filmmaker?
Perhaps researching colleges and other post secondary institutions that specialize in filmmaking would be a suitable beginning. Filmmaking is complex, expensive, and also time consuming. It can also be a big business. Potential filmmakers spend many years perfecting their profession while studying all aspects of this very popular art form. There are numerous colleges that offer professional Film making courses on Bachelors, PG or as Diploma.