Task 1: Research
Task 1: Research
Media is a sprawling sector. It covers so many different parts and can mean something different to everyone. For me, the topic under the Media umbrella I want to work in and that interests me most is film and TV.
A) Research about three jobs in the film and TV industries.
Editor
As many people may know, I really enjoy the creation process of films and particuarly when it comes to editing.
In film, an editor puts together rushes and film that comes in from the set, they are often known as the 'third storyteller' after the script writer and the director. This is because they will piece together the film as it goes, which is more often than not shot in a different order to the script.
In a film or television production the editors role begins in pre production when they will work closely with the director to decide they can make the most from the script. As soon as the film starts shooting they analyse all the rushes that come in. The check the technical standards of them and analyse how the story is beginning to emerge before editing it into a series of scenes. In most cases the editor will have aimed to complete a rough cut by the end of the filming which they can present.
Looking at the website 'screenskills' it highlights some of skills editors should be good at. The first skill it talks about is storytelling. This is arguably one of the most important skills an editor needs to have because if they can not tell a story well then the final product they are putting together may not flow well.
The second skill it talks about is visual awareness. This is essentially meaning having a good eye for what you are doing to the film and if it fits the style of the film.
The third skill is using editing software. This is quite self explanatory for an editor.
Communication if the fourth skill it talks about and is not something I would have thought of to start with but since it was suggested I understand that it is so important. This is because the editor must consistently communicate with the director, script supervisor and editing assistants to ensure everyone is happy with how the film is coming alone.
The final skill it suggests is having a good attention to detail. Editors will often be working under pressure to complete it in a certain time. Having good organisational skills and showing attention to detail is vital.
- How to become an editor?
One of the more traditional ways of working your way up to becoming an editor is to start a runner. A runner's job is basically in the name and they run around grabbing teas and other things for a person. After spending time as a runner you could look to being promoted to an assistant editor before again eventually working your way up to editor.
I have been lucky enough to talk to some editors in the industry who spoke to me about how they got into the industry and what they would suggest to do. When I spoke to them they told me how they both went to university and studied filmmaking courses. Following universities they all took very similar paths, they all tried to get straight into an editing job to earn some money. They told me how the best option would be to look for internships which can be found with many production companies, tv networks and more. From here you can work your way up onto bigger and better films as you build up your portfolio.
Another option, which is much harder, is to try not go to university and hop straight into apprenticeships but this is often harder as a lot of places look or favour people with degrees.
Post-Production Supervisor
A post production supervisor is one of them roles that I knew existed in this portion of the industry but I did not know many details about.
Their job is to work with the producers to ensure that as much as possible can be achieved in the edit process without going over budget. They will analyse and inform the producers of any financial considerations with VFX or editing before the work on the film even begins. They will also hire all the staff for the edit and will work on the production until all the elements needed for the films completion are delivered.
Screenskills talks about how they need to be good at understanding all areas of post production such as all the up to date technology that can be used to make effects. It also talks about how they need to be good and problem-solving, budgeting and communication which are all essential skills to someone in this kind of managerial role.
- How do I become a post-production supervisor?
Becoming a post production manager is something that follows a very similar path to that of becoming an editor. Reading up around the internet, it is again suggested to get a degree in some sort of film course although, it is not necessary.
Look for internships and apprencticeships and work your way up from there.
[https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/post-production/post-production-supervisor/]
[https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/post-production/post-production-supervisor/]
Sound Mixer
In film production a sound mixer heads up the department which is responsible for all the sound which is recorded during filming. Most of the time this audio is dialogue but can feature some sound effects and atmosphere tracks.
Before the film shoot takes place the sound mixer will meet with the producer and the director to work out the best methods of capturing the sound alongside the directors shooting style.
When the actual filming for the film is taking place the sound mixers ensure all the audio on the boom mics and radio mics are recorded at good levels. If they flag up an error it goes to the director to decide whether to fix it in post or do another take.
- How do I become a Sound Mixer?
As you read through what a sound mixer is on screenskills it mentions how most sound mixers work freelance. However, to get into a freelance job you would probably want to enter a sound trainee job first.
It is highly reccommended to go to university to study a sound related course.
[https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/technical/sound-mixer/]
B) Progression opportunities in post production
The technical and post departments of film and television are areas which have mutiple ways of entering.
1) Higher education options
When it comes to the film and TV sector there is absolutely loads of options in higher education. For example most universities offer courses in Film and Television. An example of this is Falmouth universities Film course.
[https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/technical/sound-mixer/]
B) Progression opportunities in post production
The technical and post departments of film and television are areas which have mutiple ways of entering.
1) Higher education options
When it comes to the film and TV sector there is absolutely loads of options in higher education. For example most universities offer courses in Film and Television. An example of this is Falmouth universities Film course.
Going beyond just universities, they're opportunities such as the national film and television school which offer several post graduate courses to help students really nail the art of film even more in their chosen area.
There are even more opportunities for post graduates who want to spend some more time perfecting the skills they have learnt in film with options such as short courses. One of the most well known places for short film courses is Londons met film school. An example of one of their courses is a sixth month post production course.
Overall the options for learning about film and tv in higher education is quite wide. Most universities offer some sort of film/filmmaking course as well as the options even further than that which I have mentioned above.
2) Employment opportunities
Employment opportunities are definitely out there for the media sector.
On the internet, I decided to look up film and television employment options where I was presented with a web page. This web page lists the vast variety of jobs you could be employed for if you have a film production degree. These include, editor, director, producer, researcher and so much more!
When you are on the page you can click on each individual role to find out more about the position, including the responsibilities, what to expect, salary and more. It is a really helpful site to look at. At the top of the page there is even an option to browse for open positions in that field.
Continuing my internet search I came across a document published by the British Film Institute which talks about a study they conducted about people being employed into the UK film industry in 2016.
The facts on this page show some really interesting figures about the employment in film. It shows that 55 out of 80 thousand people who worked in the film industry in the uk work in video production. This is really exciting for people who are wanting to work in production, like myself.
One of the most interesting facts In all of this is fact three where it talks about how 49% of people working in film and video production were freelance. I walk talk about this below.
3) Freelance
Working a freelance job is where a person works for themselves rather than for a company. They make take on contract work from time to time but they are ultimately self employed.
In order to understand more about freelancing in film I looked it up on the internet where I was guided back to the screenskills website.
As you can see the website is well equipped to guide people who are looking to enter the film and tv industry as a freelance, which by looking at the stats is a lot of people.
This video features under the 'about freelancing' page which gives you first hand accounts from freelancers telling you what to expect from entering a freelance career.
4) Setting up a company
From doing research into the above, creating a company in film might often branch from starting out as a freelancer.
Raindance is well known in the film industry. They have a whole page dedicated to leading people to creating a business in film and video production. It talks about the five most important steps to starting one and shows just how easy that it can be.
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Overall I believe working in film and tv is a sector of media which has so many different ways of getting into and as shown above each method is equally as good as the other. It just depends on what the person has and what they want to do.
C) Current opportunities in Film and TV
While researching the web to find out information for this post I have already come across opportunities for the sector which look very interesting.
One opportunity is with the post production company framestore:
In normal times, when the coronavirus is not a pressing problem the company offers an apprenticeship programme which involves working alongside the different departments in the company.
Another apprenticeship option is to look for big network such as the BBC or ITV. They offer wide ranges of apprenticeships.
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