Job Roles In The
Television & Film
Industries
DoP Director Of Photography
Job Description Directors of Photography (DoPs) are key Heads of Department on film productions, and theirs is one of the major creative roles. The role of the Director of Photography or Cinematographer is to provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look. Most DoPs work on commercials and promos as well as on feature films. Although the hours are long, and some foreign travel may be required, involving long periods spent away from base, the work is highly creative and very rewarding.
Key Skills required - artistic vision; - creativity and precise attention to detail; - good colour vision; - ability to give and to accept direction; - excellent communication skills; - diplomacy and tact when working with cast and crew; - knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Pay The average salary of a director of photography ranges between $51,334 to $108,803, however a director of photography with 20 years of expierence can earn between $64,709 to $113,433 annually. Training and qualifications Stills photography provides a good all round understanding of composition and light. The National Film and Television School’s MA in Cinematography provides the opportunity to specialise, and is taught by practising DoPs. Although DoPs do not need to have electrical qualifications, they do need to understand the functions of a variety of lighting equipment, and to have thorough knowledge of cameras, lenses and film stocks. They may have previously studied Drama, Stills Photography, or Art, or taken a Film/Media Studies degree, where useful research skills are also developed.
Runner Job Description Key Skills required - be able to complete every task efficiently and quickly - Good use of common sense and initiative - A ‘can do’ attitude, stamina and drive are all crucial - must always be reliable and organised - carry out instructions with humility, good grace and enthusiasm - attention to detail
Runners help everything to run smoothly and provide a range of support in every area of film production . On big budget features there may be several Runners: Production Office Runners, Floor Runners, and usually one Runner assigned to each of the main departments - sound, camera, art dept and editing.
Pay Starting salaries vary according to the size of the company, they have increased over the past few years. Starting salary is approximately £7-£8 per hour. Pay is low and there is little reason for it to increase. Training and qualifications No formal qualifications are required to become a Runner. Appropriate personal skills and qualities are far more important than an academic track record. Work experience placements as a Runner may also be useful. Any personal experience of working on the production of an amateur play, or short film, is likely to be relevant. A full driving licence is the one qualification considered essential for all Runners. Any Health and Safety knowledge or training is also useful.
Director Job Description The Director is the driving creative force in a film’s production, and acts as the crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams. Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film’s written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. Directors’ main duties include casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing. Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film’s budget and schedule.
Key Skills required - Exceptional artistic vision and creative skills - Deep passion for filmmaking - The ability to act as a strong and confident leader - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - an extensive understanding of the entire filmmaking process
Pay In the beginning of their careers, Directors often make nothing. Once a film Director starts making money, the salaries can vary wildly, when directing union films you’ll be guaranteed a minimum weekly salary of around $16,000, but will be more if directing a big blockbuster. Training and qualifications While there are numerous training courses and reference books on directing, formal qualifications are not necessary to become a Director. Studying the art and craft of directing is important, but the role can only really be mastered through indepth practical experience. Writing a screenplay, directing one’s own short film or an amateur play, are all good starting places. Extensive industry experience is also crucial to this role; up-to-date knowledge of filmmaking techniques and equipment is vital, as is learning how to work with actors to create a performance.
Executive Producer Job Description The role of the Executive Producer is to supervise the work of the Producer on Key Skills required behalf of the studio, the financiers or the distributors, and to ensure that the film - consummate negotiators is completed on time, and within budget, - a keen business sense to agreed artistic and technical standards. - intimate knowledge of all aspects Typically, Executive Producers are not of film production , financing and involved in the technical aspects of the distribution filmmaking process, but have played a cru- a strong sense of the market for films cial financial or creative role in ensuring - a keen understanding of which that the project goes into production. packages will earn more than they cost
Pay Executive producers of television productions often make in excess of $100,000 per year, especially in the highest-paying industries, such as TV and cable programming, and in the country’s best-paying states and cities.
Training and qualifications Executive Producers may be well established Producers, who are able to strengthen a production package and attract money to the project. Alternatively, they may have a more specialised background, as a Distributor, Sales Agent or financier, and possess specific skills or contacts that make them critical to the success of the film.
Editor Job Description Editors are one of the key Heads of Department on feature films, responsible for First Assistant Editors, and on bigger productions, Second Assistants and Trainees. To ensure that the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end, each shot is carefully chosen and edited into a series of scenes, which are in turn assembled to create the finished film. Editors work long, unsociable hours, often under pressure, in an edit suite or cutting room.
Key Skills required - ability to be creative under pressure; imagination and an understanding of narrative - excellent communication and interpersonal skills - developed sense of rhythm and timing in story telling - highly developed aesthetic visual awareness - ability to lead a team - patience, attention to detail and good organisational skills
Pay Range of starting salaries is £18,000£25,000 for those employed by a television or post-production studio. Range of salaries with experience £20,000-£35,000. Range at senior levels: £37,000-£70,000. Training and qualifications Although no specific qualifications are required for Editors, FT2 (Film and Television Freelance Training) provides industry recognised training for all job roles, including Editing, involving apprentice-style attachments to professional crews, combined with short course training opportunities.
Researcher Job Description Key Skills required - good written and spoken communication skills - excellent research skills - good organisational and administrative skills - a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail - the ability to work well on your own and also as part of a team - creativity and initiative - patience and determination
As a media researcher, you might be responsible for anything from researching factual information for documentaries, to finding studio audiences and guests for entertainment shows. In some jobs you might also develop and research ideas for new programmes. In some cases (mainly if working on a small team for a factual programme), you may also operate digital video (DV) cameras or editing equipment.
Pay typical starting salaries: £18,000 £25,000 typical salaries with some experience: £25,000 - £35,000. typical salaries with significant experience: £40,000 - £80,000. Training and qualifications As an experienced researcher, you could also take short courses in various business and production skills, which are run by film schools, private training companies, TRC media and the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). See Creative Skillset’s website to search for courses and for information on how to fund your training as a freelance in the media.
Floor Manager Job Description Television floor managers ensure that sets, props and technical equipment are safe, ready to use and in the right position prior to filming. They have a liaising and coordinating role, acting as the link between the director and the many people involved in a production. It is the floor manager’s responsibility to pass on cues to presenters and guests to ensure timings are met and the broadcast goes smoothly. The floor manager ensures that events go according to a set plan and that people taking part know their particular roles and how it fits in with whatever else is happening.
Key Skills required - the ability to foresee, solve and avoid problems under pressure; - a friendly disposition and an air of calm authority; - excellent communication skills to receive, interpret and convey information accurately and concisely; - interpersonal skills, in order to quickly judge how to get the best out of different people; - good organisational skills and the ability to multitask
Pay - Range of typical starting salaries: £16,000 - £22,000. - Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience, e.g. after 10-15 years in the role: upwards of £25,000.
Training and qualifications There is no professional qualification for floor managers. Training is on the job, under the supervision of more experienced colleagues, and is usually gained by working through the ranks from a more junior or related role. Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree and HND subjects may increase your chances: Media Studies, Drama/Theatre studies and something photography, film or television based may increase your chances.
Location Manager Job Description Key Skills required - excellent communication skills - adaptability, to deal with external factors when organising the environment required for the shoot; - artistic/creative awareness and competence as a photographer; - stamina and flexibility in order to work long hours under pressure; - a full driving licence and preferably ownership of a vehicle.
The Location Managers’ primary role is to identify and find ideal locations for a film shoot, reporting to the Producer, Director and Production Designer. The role also involves negotiating with each location’s owners about a number of issues, such as the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise reduction, and what official permissions may be required. Once filming has begun, Location Managers are in charge of managing all aspects of shooting in each location, and also ensuring that every location is handed back to its owners in a satisfactory condition after the shoot.
Pay Pay vary’s depending on experience, your reputation and the type of production. Location managers working on major feature films can expect to earn more than those working on low-budget productions. Training and qualifications No formal qualifications are required to become a Location Manager. Industry experience is key, and the best place to start is in the conventional entry-level role of Runner. Ideally, on-the-job training may then be acquired by progressing to the role of Location Scout, or Assistant to an established Location Manager. A full driving licence is essential for this role, as is a good working knowledge of health and safety requirements. The successful completion of any Health and Safety training courses is extremely useful.
Producer Job Description Very often the Producer is the first person to become involved in a project, even before the writer, or they may be the agent-style Producer who focuses on the deal. Generally though, the Producer shepherds the film from inception to completion and beyond, starting long before the film-making process and continuing to talk about and sell the picture long after everyone else has gone on to other projects.
Key Skills required - ability to secure finance for the production - ability to prepare and control the production budget - excellent communication skills - ability to work well under pressure and motivate the production team - ensure compliance with regulations and codes of practice
Pay - Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000-£25,000. - Range of salaries with experience: £40,000-£55,000, and for departmental heads, £60,000-£80,000 plus benefits. Training and qualifications There are no set qualifications for the grade of Producer - however, as the head of a team of both accounting and creative personnel, the Producer has to have an extensive understanding of the nature of film production as well as a strong grasp of business and financial issues. He/she must have experience of working in the film industry, preferably as part of the Production Team.
Camera Operator Job Description Key Skills required - a good sense of visual composition, perspective and movement - physical co-ordination and strength ability to combine creativity with technical skills - precise attention to detail - effective communication skills - ability to collaborate, and to work as part of a team - knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Camera Operators perform a vital role within the camera department on feature films. They support the Director of Photography (DoP or DP), and the Director, by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shot composition and development. The seamless ease with which the camera moves is key to the narrative flow of feature films, and is the Camera Operators’ responsibility.
Pay the going rate for camera operators working a ten-hour day on TV factual/documentary programmes is £285; for commercials £411; and for TV news £227.
Training and qualifications No specific qualifications are required to work in this role, although film schools and training courses offer a good basic grounding in the skills and knowledge required and in practice many Camera Operators have studied for higher level qualifications. The most useful courses offer practical experience and may also include work experience placements. Basic stills photography, which develops visual and composition skills, also provides a useful starting point in training for this role.
Line Producer Job Description The Line Producer is one of the first people to be employed on a film’s production by the Producer and Executive Producers. Line Producers are rarely involved in the development of the project, but often play a crucial role in costing the production in order to provide investors with the confidence to invest in the project. As soon as the finance has been raised, the Line Producer supervises the preparation of the film’s budget, and the day-to-day planning and running of the production.
Key Skills required -in-depth knowledge of scheduling and budgeting - excellent industry contacts - Exceptional communication skills - Be able to balance the creative expectations of the director, artists and creative personnel with the financial resources available
Pay Average annual pay for a line producer is around £49, 767 although expeirence can determine how much you would ultimatley earn.
Training and qualifications No qualifications can prepare anyone completely for this hugely demanding role. Line Producers must have considerable industry experience, which can only be acquired by working for a number of years in film, television and/or commercial production. Individuals usually progress to the role of Line Producer by working their way through a variety of roles in Assistant Direction, Location Management and/or the Production Office. Many start their careers as Runners or Production Assistants. Line Producers must also attend the required Health & Safety courses.
Production Designer Job Description Key Skills required - excellent visual awareness and design skills; - ability to inspire and motivate a team - excellent management and leadership skills; - ability to prioritise and to meet deadlines; - good communication and presentation skills;
Production Designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are responsible for the entire Art Department. They play a crucial role in helping Directors to achieve the film’s visual requirements, and in providing Producers with carefully calculated schedules which offer viable ways of making films within agreed budgets and specified periods of time. Filming locations may range from an orderly Victorian parlour, to a late-night café, to the interior of an alien space ship. The look of a set or location is vital in drawing the audience into the story, and is an essential element in making a film convincing and evocative.
Pay The average annual salary of a production designer is about £42 000 however remember that rates for feature films and high-end television dramas tend to be higher than those for theatre or low-budget productions. Training and qualifications Production Designers are usually graduates of Art, Architecture, Theatre, Interior or 3D Design courses. Subsequently they usually complete a specialist course in Film and/or Theatre Design.
Sound Designer Job Description Sound Designers are responsible for providing any required sounds to accompany screen action. Most Sound Designers are experienced Supervising Sound Editors who carry out a managerial role, steering the work of the entire sound post production process, combined with the specialist role of creating the sound concept for films. As well as creating the sounds for giant explosions or car crashes, Sound design is also the art of creating subtle sounds that enrich the language and feeling of a film.
Key Skills required - Excellent aural skills - Creativity and imagination - Ability to work conceptually - Excellent communication skills - Ability to work under pressure to tight, changing deadlines - Organisational and financial skills
Pay The average annual salary for a sound designer is around ÂŁ70 000 but can vary depending on experience and the production.
Training and qualifications Competition to become a Sound Designer is increasingly high and even those entering the film industry at junior levels have a B.Mus (Tonmeister) or similar qualification. Many Sound Designers have also specialised in Film and Television Sound at post-graduate level. Sound is one of the best served areas for film and television training in the UK with provision ranging from specialised short courses, to qualifications at HND, BA and post graduate levels.
Supervising Sound Editor Job Description Supervising Sound Editors are Heads of Department, responsible for all sound Key Skills required post production. They are the Director’s main point of contact for everything - Ability to manage and motivate a concerning film soundtracks. They should team be able to make accurate informed notes - Excellent communication skills and comments based on films’ creative Excellent aural skills sound requirements while always keeping - A methodical, organised approach the Director’s vision in mind. This is both to work a managerial and a hands-on job. The - Ability to work under pressure to majority of Supervising Sound Editors tight, changing deadlines also work as Sound Designers on the same - Precise attention to detail whilst also film. seeing the broader picture - Organisational and financial skills
Pay The average annual salary for a supervising sound editor is around £35 000but can vary depending on experience and the production.
Training and qualifications Supervising Sound Editors are usually graduates of Arts, Music, Electronics, Maths, or Sound Technology courses, who have also specialised in Sound at post-graduate level. Sound is one of the best served areas for film and television training in the UK with provision ranging from specialised short courses, to qualifications at HND, BA and post graduate levels.
Production Sound Mixer Job Description Production Sound Mixers are responsible for the difficult job of ensuring that dialogue recorded during filming is suitably clear. It is sometimes easier to re-record actors’ dialogues after shooting (post-syncing), but the majority of Directors prefer to use the actual lines of dialogue recorded during filming by Production Sound Mixers, Boom Operators and Sound Assistants using multiple microphones and DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or hard disk recorders.
Key Skills required - Excellent aural skills - Good communication skills - Diplomacy and tact - Ability to give and to accept direction - Precise attention to detail - Ability to make decisions under pressure
Pay The average annual salary for a production sound mixer is around ÂŁ47 000 but can vary depending on experience and the production.
Training and qualifications As the head of the production sound department, Production Sound Mixers must undertake specialist training in sound recording before starting out at junior levels within the sound department and progressing through the sound roles. Sound is one of the best served areas for film and television training in the UK with provision ranging from specialised short courses, to qualifications at HND, BA and post graduate levels.
Sound Recordist Job Description As original sound is vital to the creative media industries, Sound Recordists play Key Skills required an important role within the production process by ensuring that high quality - good knowledge of audio equipment sound is captured at all times. Most and sound technology; Sound Recordists/Production Mixers are - knowledge of the production freelance, and although some may register process, including camera and with agents and diary services, most work lighting is gained on the basis of their reputation. - excellent hearing, concentration and They are often expected to work long and attention to detail; irregular hours, sometimes on location, - excellent balance, agility and good which may involve extended periods away sense of timing; from home. - good communication, interpersonal and team skills;
Pay The average annual salary for a sound recordist is around ÂŁ69 000 but can vary depending on experience and the production.
Training and qualifications Although there are no formal entry requirements for TV Boom Operators, a demonstrable interest in sound and an understanding of its physical properties is essential. Courses are available throughout the UK, from HND to degree level in Sound Technology, Audio Engineering, Acoustics and Music Recording.
The information in this booklet was aquired from the following places... http://www.ehow.com/ http://www.indeed.com/ http://www.prospects.ac.uk/ http://www.creativeskillset.org/ https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ For more information be sure to visit their websites.
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