Tv and Film Jobs Finished

TV and Film Industry Job Roles

Everything you need to know...

Camera Operator: A few job roles: • Setting up and positioning camera equipment.

• Planning and rehearsing shots.

• Following a script and taking cues from directors and floor managers.

• Choosing the ideal lenses and camera angles.

• Working with other departments such as light and sound.

What are camera operators?

Camera operators are the people who record the images for film, music videos, television and commercials using either digital or film cameras. They take instructions from either the production manager or manager of photography. The job includes anything from setting up equipment to sorting out technical and lighting issues.

Payment Freelance camera operators are

paid a fee for each contract and these fees vary massively depending on the production and your experience. The average pay is around £25,000 annually.

Requirements Employers tend to focus on technical skills and practical experience rather than your qualifications. The majority of camera operators take a college or university course to gain the required skills for the job.

Work hours -

Camera operators tend to have long and irregular hours. They work night shifts, weekends and need to be flexible in case they are called out on short notice. This is more common with news camera operators. Camera operators have to work in all sorts of locations. from studios to jungles, at heights on scaffolding and using cranes.

Production Designer: A few job roles: • Discussing ideas with the director and studying the script.

• Communicating ideas with other designers such as costume, props and lighting.

• Researching historical, contemporary or futuristic aspects of the production.

• Creating designs within budget.

• Sketching up the storyboard.

• Using CAD packages.

• Estimating costs and preparing schedules.

What are production designers?

A production designer or set designer creates the overall look of the production. If in theatre they are referred to as stage designers.

As a set designer, work starts at the beginning of production and ends when the filming begins (depending on whether or not you are required to make changes to the set). Designers create the ideas but tend to leave the practical work to another team. However, they do make models and draw up

designs.

Payment Most set designers work freelance and their pay varies drastically depending on the type of production and their experience.

Requirements A high level of design skill and creativity is required for this position. Production designers usually start off as either designer’s assistants or prop makers in theatre. If you want to make your way up in the TV and film industry either

working your way up from a runner or being an art department trainee would be a good start.

Work hours Work hours are long and require working into the night and weekend work depending on how smooth the production is running. Designers work in offices, studios or even from home. They are also required to go to meetings with theatres or TV/film production companies.

Director: A few job roles: • Meeting producers • Commissioning scripts or ideas for a documentary • Developing storyboards or interpreting scripts • Deciding on the overall aesthetic of a production and where it should be filmed.

• Planning logistics and shooting schedules.

• Guiding the technical crew.

• Hiring the cast and crew.

• Directing the actors.

What are directors?

A director is the ‘big cheese’ you could say. They are the person who takes overall responsibility for how the TV or film programmes are made. This will require great organisation skills, creativity and knowledge of the industry to manage the whole production process. You will also need to be a natural leader, make strong decisions, keep to your budget and manage time well.

Payment Freelance director’s payment varies dramatically. It really depends on the overall funding of a pro-

duction and the experience they have. The better they are the more they are paid usually. Directors may offer to work for little or no pay, but in return take a certain percentage of the final profit.

Requirements Directors require an in depth knowledge of pre-production and all aspects of the film and TV industry. They will also need a large network of contacts. The majority of directors work their way up from runners, going through the different jobs in the industry, gaining knowledge and experience and eventually using that to

become a director. Also, many actors and camera men move on to being directors as they are on set and after years of experience have a good idea of how a production runs.

Work hours Work hours will often be long and irregular depending on the production. Directors will often work nights and weekends. Directors work in studios and on location.

They may be required to travel abroad and around the country the production is being made in.

Runners: A few job roles: • Collecting and delivery scripts and various other items.

• Distributing messages and posts.

• Filing and photocopying.

• Greeting visitors and answering the phone.

• Driving vehicles between locations or around sets • Finding props.

• Keeping sets clean and tidy.

• Looking after studio guests.

What are runners?

Well a runner is the guy who gets bossed around. This is the very first position you will be given in the TV and film industry. If you are interested in progressing then this is a good starting point. Runners do any little task that may be required to make the overall production run smoothly. This could be anything from making a cup of coffee for someone to going out and purchasing materials that may be required in the production. This position is a good place to start because in it you see the ins and outs of all levels of production. You will need to maintain healthy relationships with all the staff and also be organised and show initiative. You will be tested

and have to think on your feet.

Payment When it comes to payment you will probably start off as a volunteer worker or in a job placement.

This basically means that you will not receive any payment. However, once you have shown you are enthusiastic and have a certain level of knowledge in the industry; you will soon be offered paid work and maybe even a promotion.

This job is the starting foundation in the industry. When you eventually do get paid it could be a daily rate or for the whole production.

The rates vary depending on the productions budget and your experience.

Requirements To be offered a place as a runner,

employers will more likely look at your enthusiasm and attitude rather than your qualifications.

Having said that they prefer having someone with at least A levels, especially if you plan on progressing in the business.

Work hours Work hours can vary according to the needs of the production.

You could be working long and unsocial hours. This could be early morning or late at night if necessary. You also may have to travel depending on whether you are working on location (set).

You may just be in the studio or production office running errands however.

Sound Technician: A few job roles: • Setting up equipment to suit the acoustics of a set.

• Selecting and placing fixed microphones.

• Operating the boom and positioning it correctly for the best quality of sound possible.

• Monitoring sound quality.

• Recording sound onto digital devices.

• Servicing and repairing equipment.

• Playing music or sound affects into a live programme.

What are sound technicians?

The sound technician is required to record the voices and background noises of a film or TV production either on location or in studio. In order for an affective sound team you will need good communication skills. You will also need good concentration and attention to detail as you are required to pick out the individual and correct voices that have been recorded. There isn’t a set entry route for a sound technician, however, experience in sound recording and knowledge in audio technology is highly sought after by employers.

Payment -

Starting salaries for a sound technician can be from £15,000 to £18,000 annually for full-time work. With experience this can rise to £24,000 or more a year. If you are a trusted sound recordist you could earn up to £35,000 or more annually, depending on your experience and technical skills (as well as contacts). Freelance rates vary greatly and depend on how good your reputation is.

Requirements There are no set entry qualification requirements for this job. A good knowledge of sound technology, equipment and also the science of sound will increase chances of finding work. Em-

ployers also value experience.

Like most positions in the media industry, employers prefer their employees to have a degree but it is not essential. This is due to how competitive the market is.

Work hours Sound technicians work long and irregular hours, including early mornings and night shifts. Also, flexibility is required as you may be called out on short notice.

Post-production sound work is done in sound-proofed studios.

However, you will be required to work in various locations and in all weather conditions.

Production Manager: A few job roles: • Examine scripts and programme ideas.

• Draw up production schedules depending on the logistics, estimated costs and timing.

• Hire the crew and contractors.

• Negotiate costs.

• Have final approval of bookings, resources and equipment.

• Arrange risk assessments and permissions.

• Manage a production office team.

What are production managers?

Production managers take care of all the business aspects of a production. This includes recruiting actors and the crew and also taking care of finances. You will be required to be organised and good with figures if you wish to follow up a career as a production manager. This job includes schedule planning, organising resources, location and equipment and also monitoring the budget and costs of a production.

Payment -

Production managers are paid a fee for each contract or production. This amount varies depending on production and track record. The median income for a manager is around £29,500 a year in this industry.

Requirements Production managers will be required to have a substantial knowledge of the production process, contacts in the industry and also good experience in TV and film. Some people start off as trainee production accountants

and others work their way up from runners. Also, good financial, computing, organisation and planning skills are a must.

Work hours The work hours are long and irregular and many production managers work as freelance. It really depends on the demand of the production. Managers are mainly based in offices but do tend to travel to locations and various studios for meetings. Expect to be away from home for long periods of time.

Editors: A few job roles:

What are editors?

The editors are the people who put together the picture and sound to create the piece of video that is suitable for broadcasting.

This requires creativity and practicality. Editors can have a massive influence on the final piece. As an editor you will be a part of the post-production team, putting together raw material taken from the cameras and sound crews.

Then you will add in special effects, sound effects and graphics to polish off the piece. You can work on anything from music videos to film productions and even commercials.

Payment -

• Transferring film or video footage to the computer.

• Examining footage and deciding on which shots to discard.

• Cutting and joining shots using editing software.

• Creating a rough cut from the chosen material.

• Digitally enhancing picture quality.

• Keeping a clear idea of the storyline.

• Using software to add titles, sound, graphics DVDs experience in pre-production.

When starting as an editor you can earn, on average, around Work hours £25,000 annually. However, it can Work hours can vary massively as an editor. You may work office be a lot less than this. But this is just when starting out. When you shifts due to film editing studios being booked at night. You may are a more experience editor you be required to work at short nocan earn £1,100 to £2,000 a week tice. This requires you to be flexi(before tax). You can also work ble. Depending on how smoothly freelance which will include varthe production is running, you ied rates of pay depending on the production and your track record. may have to work overtime and longer hours to meet the projects Requirements deadline. This can be up to as Most employers will be more much as 50 – 60 hours a week. interested in your personal qualThe majority of this time will be ities and technical skills rather spent in editing suites and studios, than your qualifications. You will with long periods on a computer. need to show a good knowledge in using the editing software/ equipment and also have a lot of

Producers:

A few job roles: • Deciding which projects to produce.

• Reading scripts.

• Raising finance for projects.

• Pitching to television broadcasters to commission your programme.

• Identifying sources of funding and pitching to investors.

• Assessing the required resources.

• Planning the schedule.

• Hiring all technical resources and support services.

•Recruiting key production staff and crew

What are producers?

Producers are predominantly the business side of the production.

They take care of the funding and manage budgets. They are also in charge of pitching new ideas for projects and securing rights for books and screen plays. To do the job you will need to be good with figures, excellent at negotiating and also organised.

Payment Payment varies from production to track record and also the availa-

ble budget. Many producers are freelance.

Requirements Producers need great knowledge in both the creative and business side of filmmaking/TV production. Also, a good knowledge of the production process and a large network of contacts are a must.

It is preferable that you have a degree but not essential. You can become a producer from working your way up from a runner and then a production assistant or

coordinator.

Work hours Work hours are long and irregular depending on the production. It is common for producers to be freelance workers. Producers are mainly office based but will be required to travel to locations and also meetings.

Researchers: A few job roles: • Finding locations.

• Hiring personnel.

• Gathering audience data.

• Researching into advertisement.

What are researchers?

As a researcher in a production you will assist the producers by finding people, information and places for the TV or radio programmes. You will need good organisation skills and to be patient and strong-minded when trying to track down hard information.

Payment Freelance researchers can be paid a fee for each contract with gaps between each. These rates can vary depending on the production and your track record. A junior may earn around £415 a week on

a factual TV production. However, a more experienced researcher could earn around £650 a week.

Requirements There are no set requirements to become a researcher. However, the industry is very competitive and it is more common for someone with a degree to be offered the job when applying. Having said that; work experience, contacts and the right skills still play a massive part in getting this job.

Work hours Work hours vary and could be long and irregular. You could be

working evenings and weekends.

It really depends on the production. You will mainly work in offices and studios; however, you may need to go on research trips to assess certain places and possible film locations. This would require travelling throughout the country you work and abroad.

The majority of this booklets information was taken from the ‘Creative Skill Set’ website. If you wish to find out anymore information, or found that this booklet was not helpful enough, then visit the website at - http://creativeskillset.org/ .