Job roles in the television and
film industries
The Job of a Runner
Main job description
A runner is an entry-level
position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast,
film or video company. Runners act as general assistants, working under the
direction of the producer and other production staff, to undertake basic tasks that
are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process. Runners
are also employed in a range of areas. For example, film, television and radio
production.
Runners' general responsibilities
include:
·
tea
making;
·
transporting
scripts and hire equipment;
·
taking
messages;
·
looking
after guests;
·
getting
everything in place for shoots.
This role offers the opportunity
to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering
valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the
ladder for people aspiring to roles in broadcasting media.
Organisation, flexibility and good
communication skills are essential skills needed for the runner.
Working conditions and salary
working hours vary according to
the needs of the production. These include working long and unsocial hours,
including early mornings and late evenings as required.
Working environments also vary, as
runners may be based in a studio, production office or on location.
The salary of a runner also
greatly depends on the size of the production. This affects the contract that
the runner is employed on, as this may be long or short term depending on the
production. The general wage can range from £6.50 to £8.00 as a set hourly
rate.
Sources
The job of a Researcher
Main job Description
Researchers work in a variety of
sectors within the media industry. These include, radio, TV and film. They
organise the majority of the aspects that go into the media production,
involving planning and further executing their ideas. A researcher is
responsible for following and being aware of the constant changes within the
media industry, in order to alter and shape their programmes to suite each
environment.
Main responsibilities of a
researcher include;
·
Working
alongside directors and executives
·
Planning
future programmes
·
Writing reports
on each programme
Additional information and salary
Sources
The Job of an Editor
Main job description
Film Editors assemble footage of feature films,
television shows, documentaries, and industrials into a seamless end product.
They manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to refine the overall story
into a continuous and enjoyable whole.
The use of
digital technology and computer software are key aspects of being a film and TV
editor. Editors are responsible for
assembling recording raw material into a finished product that's suitable for
broadcasting. Editors also work closely with the director to achieve the
desired end result by collaborating their ideas. On a general basis, editors work
on short-term basis, however, this does also depend on the size of the
production.
Additional information and salary
Editors work standard office hours but it will vary
depending on the production. This includes shift work if editing studios are
booked at night. When there are deadlines to meet, long hours and overtime may
be required. A film/video editor position is not typically an entry-level job,
starting at a minimum salary wage. Editors starting salaries for those who are
employed by a television or post-production studio are in the region of £18,000
to £25,000. With experience as a film or video editor, the salary increases to
£20,000 to £35,000. At a senior level, the potential earnings of £37,000 to £70,000
are reached but the higher end of this scale is only available to senior
editors working on high-status projects.
Sources
The Job of a Director
Main job description
Directors have overall
responsibility for the way films or television programmes are made. As a
director, creativity, organisational skills and technical knowledge are all
needed to manage the whole production process. As directors will also be
leading a team of people with very different roles, in this job good
communication skills are also required. There are many different routes to
getting into this job. Starting out as a 'runner' is one route, or progressing
from camera or acting work. Courses in media production could teach some of the
skills are needed.
Additional information
working hours on a shoot would
often be long and irregular according to the production's needs, and may
include evenings and weekends. A weekly salary for a film director starts at
£1300, which also depend on the size of the production.
Sources
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/TVorFilmDirector.aspx
The job of a Production Manger
Main job description
A production manager is
responsible for the organisation of all aspects of the production. They work
over a variety of genres in the industry such as documentaries, entertainment
in order to interpret the director’s ideas. There are no specific
qualifications to become a production manager, however a degree in a media
related subject is desirable. Skills that are needed for this role include
·
Having
efficient problem solving skills
·
Having
strong financial and budgeting skills
Additional information
Production managers generally
work on a freelance basis and have one of the most demanding job roles in the
industry. Their working hours can also differ depending on the size of the
production and work is often in an office base work environment with studio
visits and location meetings.
Sources
Job of a Location manager
Main job description
Location managers are responsible for making all the
practical arrangements for film, television or photographic shoots taking
place outside the studio. Productions are made in a wide range of places and
location managers need to research, identify and organise access to appropriate
sites.
A location manager's role follows a sequence of
activities from pre-planning to the completion stages of a production. Tasks
that may be carried out include:
·
Assessing and interpreting scripts
or story boards to get an understanding of the location required;
·
Meeting with the director and
designer to discuss projects and working to their creative vision;
·
Collating ideas and undertaking
research using resources such as the internet, specialist location libraries,
local and regional film commissions and agencies.
Additional information
Location managers work on a
freelance basis and are paid on contract terms. Work demands are at their
highest during the summer and winter but the role of a location manager is
considered to be the least demanding job role in the industry. As location
managers must be readily available, they work full time hours.
Sources
The job of a Production designer
Main job description
Production designers are responsible for the
visual concept of a film, television or theatre production. They realise a
design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and
costumes, while working closely with the director and producer. Once the
concept is decided, designers usually appoint and manage an art department,
which includes a design and construction team. They often form a strong
partnership with a particular director with whom they may work on many
productions. Designers tend to specialise in either film, television or
theatre, although there may be some overlap. In the theatre, production
designers are also called stage or set designers.
Most production designers work as
freelancers and so an important part of their work is marketing their skills
and experience, making contacts and briefing agents. First tasks usually
include clarifying the brief and agreeing a suitable fee and timescale, which
is sometimes done by an agent. After this, work activities might then include:
·
reading scripts to identify
factors indicating a particular visual style;
·
considering the production brief,
which may be written or oral;
·
meeting the producer and director
to discuss concepts and production requirements
Additional Information
Production designer is not
typically an entry-level position. Those breaking into the field usually start
as art department runners, art department assistants or design assistants. The entry requirements include knowledge of
the industry. For example, Theatre and performer design.
The job of a Producer
Main job description
Producers play an integral role in
the television, film and video industries. A producer will oversee each project
from conception to completion and may also be involved in the marketing and
distribution processes. Producers work closely with the directors and other
production staff on a shoot. Increasingly, they need to have directing skills
as they may be the director and be in charge of all project operations.
Producers arrange funding for each project and are responsible for keeping the
production within the allocated budget.
Creative input and the level of
decision-making varies, as this depends on the client and the brief.
Additional information
Starting salaries for assistant producers may range
from around £18,000 to £25,000. With experience, salaries can reach £40,000 to
£55,000, and for departmental heads, £60,000 to £80,000 plus benefits.
Producers work regular unsocial hours during weekdays and weekends to meet the
strict deadlines that are set.
Sources
The job of an Executive producer
Main job description
The role of the Executive Producer is
to oversee the work of the producer on behalf of the studio, the financiers or
the distributors. They will ensure the film is completed on time, within
budget, and to agreed artistic and technical standards. An Executive Producer
may be a producer who has raised a significant proportion of a film's finance,
or who has secured the underlying rights to the project. In major productions,
the Executive Producer may be a representative or CEO of the film studio. In
smaller companies or independent projects they may be the creator or writer.
Typically, Executive Producers are not involved in the technical aspects of the
filmmaking process, but have played a crucial financial or creative role in
ensuring that the project goes into production. There may be several Executive
Producers on a film who may take the lead role in a number of areas, such as
development, financing or production. Executive Producers must be excellent
negotiators. They need a keen business sense, and an intimate knowledge of all
aspects of film production, financing, marketing and distribution.
Additional information
There are no specific qualifications
to becoming an Executive Producer in TV. However, a degree in a media-related,
drama or specialist subject may be desired. Salary can range from £50, 000 -
£90,000, which can increase depending on the size of the production.
Sources
Job of a Sound
assistant
Main job description
Sound Assistants are the third
members of the production sound crew and provide general backup and support to
the production sound mixer and the boom operator. They are responsible for
checking all stock, microphones and batteries and making sure that the sound
department runs as smoothly as possible.
On large scale productions, Sound
Assistants may be called upon to operate the second boom, recording all
off-camera lines of dialogue, i.e., lines spoken by characters who do not
appear on screen. Sound Assistants usually work on a freelance basis with the
same production sound mixer and boom operator. Most Sound Assistants work on
both film and television productions, unless they work with a production sound
mixer who works exclusively on feature films. The hours are long and the work
often involves long periods working away from home.
Additional information
Salaries vary depending upon the actual role and type
of production. In established studio or in television and radio, starting
salaries may be in the region of £16,000 to £18,000. With experience this can
rise to salaries upward of £30,000. Supplements for unsocial hours may be
available. The average working day consists of working a 10 hour day on a fixed
term contract.
Sources
http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/sound-assistant-jobs-402781.php
Great work here Ehren!
ReplyDeleteTry and watch out for not using capitals as the start of sentences.
Also, even if there is no direct rotue for certain roles. Give an example one may take (film school/university/work experience etc.)