by KYW's John Ostapkovich

If you're looking to catch the rising tide of jobs in the film industry, it's a mixed bag of opportunities.

Lots of people want to be actors -- hold an open casting call for Transformers II and thousands show up. But most of the jobs available in show biz are behind the camera.

Nicole Ross (top right) of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office says step one for any industry hopeful is education:

"There are several great universities in the area that offer film production curriculums to learn the craft."

Step two: network.   The GPFO's web site, film.org, has local help wanted listings. Mandy.com has national and international listings. 

But if you pay to have your name put in the Philadelphia Film Office database, movie producers may come looking for you. Joan Bressler (middle right) is director of Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers:

"You can be a teacher, you can be a greens-tender. You can be a construction person, a computer person, in addition to all the obvious things."

Independent filmmaker Michelle Pollino (bottom right), currently at work on the movie The Nail, credits the Film Office for keeping her name in the mix:

"I just got lucky. I got in and did a good job. They heard that and they started recommending me. I never even met them before I heard they were recommending me."

Four unions are involved. The two for performers are AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and SAG (Screen Actors' Guild). IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) is for technicians, including those who create the sets. The Teamsters' union is for those in the transportation end of the business. But obviously, there's an awful lot that doesn't fall into those categories.

(Photo #1 by KYW's Ed Fischer. Photos #2 and #3 from GPFO. Photo #4 by KYW's John Ostapkovich)