1. The Different Job Roles Available in the TV and Film Industry Anisha Parmar

2. Job Roles In the media, the job roles can be divided into two categories: ‘creative’ and ‘non-creative’. Creative: people who deal with the actual production of a film. For example, a director would be a creative role because they actually get involved with the film itself. Non-Creative: people behind the scenes who deal with technical issues in a firm. For example, for the making of a Hollywood film, the accounts department may have to deal with budgeting for each of the other departments. So the accounts department don’t get involved with the actual production of the film. Please note that there is some crossover between the categories, between creative and non creative roles.

4. Job Description: Examples Creative: Scriptwriter: Screenwriter Responsibilities provide a blueprint onto which the Producer, Director, Production Designer, Composer and Editor, cast and crew can graft their creative efforts. Write a screenplay in which the reader can 'see' the film unfold cinematically in their imagination. Make the film conform to the logical principles of dramatic construction, as well as to industry expectations regarding format and style. Screenwriters must produce highly creative writing, to strict deadlines, and they need to work constructively with other members of the script development team to create a product that is likely to be financed and made. Skills In-depth understanding of story, plot and narrative, Demonstrate the creative imagination required to project their vision on to the page, and to breathe life and individuality into their characters and the life-choices they make. Write visually, using sound and dialogue to support the action in order to create a credible and internally consistent story world. Understand how a screenwork manipulates and entertains its audience, Structure their work within a specific tone and genre to satisfy and transcend audience expectations. Be creative, dedicated, well organised, and capable of working as part of a team, to strict deadlines. Handle rejection Qualifications/Experience No formal training is required Producers expect screenplays to be submitted in standard ‘Mastershot’ format You can attend one an industry respected Screenwriting course. A Masters in screenwriting is good to have

5. Job Description: Examples Non Creative: Production Accountants Responsibilities Calculating finances Costing productions Liaising with financiers Controlling the cash flow to ensure that payments are made on time, in accordance with agreements and approved budgets. They must contribute to the probity of the production, confirming that all legal requirements are met, and that the company is a legal trading entity. In pre-production, Production Accountants assist the Producers and Production Managers to prepare budgets and Estimated Final Cost Reports. Skills Bookkeeping and accountancy skills, Thorough working knowledge of filmmaking processes. Strong organisational and interpersonal communication skills, Prioritise jobs effectively within a fast-paced environment. Use initiative, learn quickly, and work with discretion, in order to maintain absolute confidentiality. Expertise in accountancy software packages, Movie Magic or other budgeting and scheduling software. Qualifications/Experience BA in Accounting, Combined with a number of years' experience in the film industry. The exact level of qualification and experience required depends on the size and scale of each specific production; A proven track record, in order to secure the approval of the Financiers, Completion Guarantors and Studios involved in the Film Production. Knowledge of foreign languages is also advantageous on specific productions. Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted.

6. Work Patterns Like any industry, depending on your job role, your working pattern varies. Shift work: Usually for businesses open 24 hours a day, all TV channels run 24hours a day. Employees will be on a Rota where they will work different hours per week. Fixed term: employees of contracted for a certain amount of time, in which they will work for the company. Office hours: staff work in the hours of when the office opens, usually 9-5 Freelance: A person who sells services to employers without a long-term commitment to any of them. Some journalists freelance, writing for different companies. Irregular pattern: the amount of work available depends the number of hours per day worked, or even, the amount of weeks worked. Hourly rates: Where staff are paid per hour. Usually, time rate applies to those who work regular office hours, and in total, are paid per annum (salary), or weekly (wage). Piece work: staff are paid to how much they produce, i.e. a journalist may be paid according to the amount of articles written.

7. Freelancing Because of the internet, and the fact technology is so ‘portable’ (i.e. laptops) so this means that it is easier to work from anywhere, as you don’t have to rely on an office to provide you the facilities. This is why it is common for journalists to freelance, because they can write and upload anywhere. Freelancing has many advantages for media companies and for the individual: For a firm, it means that their costs are reduced because the freelancer will not require a permanent office space, due to the fact that they attend work as and when they are required- there are no set hours. And as a result of this, it means that there they are not on a fixed contract, which means that they are less likely to be part of a union. This alone can be beneficial, as it brings flexibility to the company as do not have to follow dismissal procedures and freelancers are less likely to go on strike. For a freelancer, it means that you have the flexibility and control to work as when you like. But as a result of this, it means that you have less job security, as your contract may not always be renewed, but these jobs are highly paid.

8. How do you forge a career in the Media? The media industry is extremely competitive, which means that it is hard to gain a job in the media. You should have a media related degree (i.e. English, TV&Film, Journalism), and this means that you have between 2 and 3 A levels at grade C and above. The least you should have is a non-media based degree, and then take a post graduate course for a year (of what part of the industry you are interested in/want to go into), which will give you some skills necessary for the industry. It is also useful to have some industry related work experience, paid or unpaid, as it shows that you have the initiative to go and get experience.

9. Internships Many internships are paid with a low salary, or have no pay at all. This is due to the fact that the industry is popular, which many people competing for a job, so the company don’t have to interest people to work for them (money is used as motivation to interest). The fact that internships don’t pay well, has been in the media, with claims suggesting that the interns are taking someone’s job. Why should the company pay someone do do a job, when they can hire an intern, and get the job done for free? It also raises concerns to suggest that media jobs are limited, in terms of the people who can get access to the jobs, as most of the people who gain internships will be able to afford to work for free.