Task 4 - Job Roles

Job Roles

Technical

Camera Operator

 

A camera operator is usually made to work long an irregular hours. It could also include shift work or even night hours depending on the production you are working on. Work could be done on location or in a studio. It could also include you to work overseas and in different weather conditions. Some of the jobs you will need to do are:

• Setting up and positioning the camera equipment 
• Planning Shots 
• Choosing suitable camera angels and lenses 
• Solving problems e.g. camera issues 

Camera Operates would usually operate on a freelance basis. If a camera operater is working on a TV documentary for a 10 hour day they would get £319 or £285 after tax.

Courses that someone could do include City & Guilds courses, BTEC HNC/HNDs, Foundation degrees, first degrees and postgraduate qualifications in media, film and TV production or cinematography.After you could start as a camera trainee or assistant and learn on the job. Some of the skills you would need are :

• Knowledge of camera equipment
• Interests in video, film and photography 
• Good communication and people skills
• Be able to stay under pressure
• Patience and concentration
• the ability to work as part of a team
• good levels of stamina, for holding and moving camera equipment and working long hours.
• Has ha good sense of color vision

Creative

Script Writer

 

As a scriptwriter you would write scrips for different genres for TV, Film etc. Some of the responsibilities a scriptwriter has to take on is be able to have the confidence to talk to new people to sell there scripts.

Script writers would work freelance. The way they make money is to sell scripts to other people.

Some of the skills they would have to are:

• Write visually
• Be able to entertain the audience and manipulate the script to do this.
• Creative
• Dedicated
• Organised 

Some of the progression routes scriptwriters would follow would be to take an MA in Script Writing. Script Writers must write a number of original short and feature screenplays 'on spec' (self-financed) in order to attract the attention of Producers and Agents.Script writers should remember to submit scripts in standard Mastershot format.

 Administration

Research Assistant

Roles and Responsibilities

They would have to look at ratings for  programs and analysis of the audience. Other roles you would do are to distribute daily overnight ratings reports for the UK Television viewings, extract data from program ratings databases and undertake report writing and create charts on the performance of programe performances.

Contract/Salary

 They would be on a Full Time Contract earning £22,000

Skills and Qualifications

Skills they would need:

• Numeracy skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Be able to analyze data
• Computer skills

Progression Routes

Research assistant could go on to do any of these jobs:

•  
• Reporter
• Journalist
• Staff Writer
• Section Head
• Sub-Editor
• Web/Online Editor
• Copy Editor
• Proofreader
• Picture Editor
• Press Photographer

Editorial

Editor

Roles and Responsibilities

They would edit films or TV programs using the latest editorial software. Also they have to meet deadlines so the content can be released.

Contract/Salary

An editor would be required to work 30-40 hours maybe more and there salary at the start would be £25,000 per year.The contracts they would have would depend on what production they are working on:

• A movie would be a fixed term contract
• A TV series would be a permanent contract
• Some could be on a freelance contract

Skills and Qualifications

• Editing Skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Patience and attention to detail 
• Interpersonal skills
• Imagination 
• Understanding of narrative

Progression Routes

Editors would begin as a runners then to trainees then on to a second assistant after that on to a first editor then finally on to a editor

Financial

Producer would have to raise the money for the production using different methods.

Roles and Responsibilities



A producer would have to:

• Raise money for the project
• Control the budget of the production 
• Work under pressure
• legal responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to prepare health and safety procedures for the workplace
• Read scripts
• Plan the schedule

Contract/Salary

A producer would be on a different contract depending on production:

• freelance contract
• fixed term contract
• full-time contract

Skills and Qualifications

You will need  to have  experience in both the creative and business sides of film or programme making. You will also need  to have an in-depth understanding of the production process, and have a network of contacts in the industry to help you along the way. You could also work your way up through the industry in various ways. In TV, you could start as a runner or production assistant. Producers of factual programmes often start as programme researchers or journalists. Alternatively, you could progress through production office roles, from production secretary to assistant production coordinator and beyond.

Progression Routes

In TV, you could start as a runner or production assistant. Producers of factual programmes often start as programme researchers or journalists. Alternatively, you could progress through production office roles, from production secretary to assistant production coordinator and beyond.



Sales and Marketing

A management accountant would deal with company accounts, budgeting, re-forecasting and analyzing overheads  along with other tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities

A management accountant would:

• Assist with the preparation of the company reporting pack
• Balance the sheet reconciliation
• Prepayments and accruals;
• Review costs against forecast, ensuring all GL accounts are against the correct budget code;
• Consolidate the company cash flow, producing weekly reports;

Contract/Salary

The contract they would be on is a permanent one with full-time hours and earning £38,000-£40,000




Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent financial skills 
• Good computer skills
• Good written and spoken communication
• Work under pressure

Progression Routes

A management accountant would start out as a runner and then progressing to a production coordinator.


Managerial

A TV floor manager would choose where the props and sets will for. Also they would check that the equipment is safe.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Checking equipment
• Assisting guests
• Rehearsing live shows 
• Control the studio
• Dealing with problems in the studio

Contract/Salary


They would work on a freelance basis and earn £150 per a eight hour day. Starting salaries would be £16,000 - £22,000



Skills and Qualifications

• initiative and problem solving skills;
• excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• precise attention to detail and methodical approach to work;
• excellent organisational abilities
• resourcefulness and the ability to troubleshoot

Progression Routes

Identifying Regulatory Issues

Monopoly

A monopoly is when someone has control over a load of services in a particular market. Rupert Murdoch is owner of lots of companys in media. In the UK there are laws which makes sure he dosen't have a monopoly in the UK. If there was to be only one monopoly then there wouldn't be any new ideas or competition in the markets.

Consumer Choice

It allows consumers to choose how they want to buy a certain product. In TV there is a lot of diversity because lots of TV producers make different programes to suit consumers need.

Censorship

Censorship is making sure people of certain ages watch what is suitable for them. In media there are a few groups that look after censorship. The ASA look after adverts in media, they look at adverts and ban ones that have bad content in it.

Under 18's

Under 18's should be protected as they are not classed as a adult yet. There are some laws to protect under 18's Advets that are about alcohol need to be intentionally not aimed at minors so under under 18's aren't encouraged to drink alcohol.