Roles in media industry

1. A freelancer or freelance worker is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labour to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work.

 

1. Permanent employees, regular employees or the directly employed work for an employer and are paid directly by that employer. Permanent (regular) employees do not have a predetermined end date to employment. In addition to their wages, they often receive benefits like subsidized health care, paid vacations, holidays, sick time, or contributions to a retirement plan. Permanent employees are often eligible to switch job positions within their companies. Even when employment is "at will", permanent employees of large companies are generally protected from abrupt job termination by severance policies, like advance notice in case of layoffs, or formal discipline procedures. They may be eligible to join a union, and may enjoy both social and financial benefits of their employment.
    
2. Volunteering is the giving of time and energy through a third party which can bring measurable benefits to the volunteer, individual beneficiaries, groups and organisations, communities, environment and society at large. It is a choice undertaken of one's own free will, and is not motivated primarily for financial gain or for a wage or salary
    
3. The area of the media industry that I have chosen is film. One of the jobs I am interested in is production manager. Production managers ensure that manufacturing processes run reliably and efficiently. Responsibilities of the job include:
   •planning and organising production schedules
   •assessing project and resource requirements
   •estimating, negotiating and agreeing budgets and timescales with clients and managers
   •ensuring that health and safety regulations are met
   •determining quality control standards
   •overseeing production processes
   •re-negotiating timescales or schedules as necessary
   •selecting, ordering and purchasing materials
   •organising the repair and routine maintenance of production equipment
   •liaising with buyers and marketing and sales staff
   •supervising the work of junior staff
   •organising relevant training sessions
    

Qualifications and training required

It is possible to enter this profession with a degree or higher national diploma (HND) in any subject. However, depending on the industry you are trying to enter, some employers may require a sector-specific discipline such as business management, electrical, electronic, mechanical, process or production engineering, materials science or biochemistry.

 

If you are aiming for a more junior role, it is possible to enter the profession without a degree or HND. However, career progression may be limited. To find out more about getting into business and management via a school leaver route, visit the business section of TARGETcareers, our website aimed at school leavers.

 

Membership with a professional body such as the Institute of Operations Management or the Chartered Management Institute may be beneficial. Both offer opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), networking events and conferences.

 

Key skills for production managers

•Confidence

•Technical skills

•Project management skills

•Organisation and efficiency

•Leadership and interpersonal skills

•Problem solving skills

•IT and numerical skills

•Communication skills

•Teamworking skills

 

1. Another job I am interested In is a film editor. As a film or video editor, you'll be responsible for assembling recorded raw material into a finished product that's suitable for broadcasting. The material may include camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects. This is a key role in the post-production process and your skills can determine the quality and delivery of the final product. You'll usually work closely with the director to achieve the desired end result. You'll probably be employed on a freelance basis, working on short-term contracts for post-production studios, television companies and corporate employers.
    
    
   Responsibilities
   •receiving a brief, and maybe an outline of footage and/or a shot list, script, or screenplay;
   •assembling all raw footage, with camera shots either recorded or transferred onto video tape in preparation for inputting into the computer;
   •inputting uncut rushes and sound, and synchronising and storing them into files on the computer;
   •digitally cutting the files to put together the sequence of the film and deciding what is usable;
   •creating a 'rough cut' (or assembly edit) of the programme/film and determining the exact cutting for the next and final stages;
   •reordering and fine-tuning the content to ensure the logical sequencing and smooth running of the film/video.
    
    
    
   Salary
   •Starting salaries for assistant editors 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, you could earn £21,000 to £35,000.
   •At a senior level, your earnings could potentially reach £37,000 to £70,000 but the higher end of this scale is only available to senior editors working on big-budget projects.
    
   Qualifications
   You don't need a foundation degree, HND or degree to be a film or video editor, but it is important that you show commitment and determination to get into the industry.
    
   You need to be able to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills, and so a degree or HND that offers film or media production experience may be helpful. The following subjects are relevant:
   •communication and media studies;
   •fine art/visual art;
   •graphic design;
   •information technology/multimedia;
   •photography/film/television.