Media jobs presentation

By Taj Gill

As the Media is one of the biggest entities on earth, there are a wide range of unique job roles to fulfill.

Jobs can range from technicians who are based in lighting, to directors who can be involved in the creation of television programs and filming.

Furthermore, the jobs will have different contract statuses, ranging from shift work; fixed term and office hours to freelance; irregular patters and piece work such as scripts etc

I will now explain and incorporate the different job roles involved within the media.

- Accounts - Art Dept - Camera - Casting - Catering - Construction - Direction - Distribution - Editing/ Post

Production - Exhibition

- Hair + Make Up - Health + Safety - Lighting - Locations - Music - Performance - Sound - Production Office - Props - Scripts

Job role: Brand ManagerArea of Media : MarketingContract type: General Office

HoursSalary: £19,500 to £50,000Job Description: A brand manager

monitors market trends and oversees advertising and marketing activities to ensure the right message is delivered for their product or service.

Job role: Advertising Account Executive

Area of Media : AccountsContract type: General Office

HoursSalary: Ranging from £17,000

(junior Level) to £90,000 (Senior level)

Job Description:Advertising account executives work within advertising or multi-service agencies, acting as a link between the clients in the media and the agency. 

Job role: Production ManagerArea of Media : ProductionContract type: Freelance,

irregularSalary: Can vary depending on

the work you do and the contract set

Job Description: A production manager, would organise the finance and employment issues in film and television productions. They would be in charge of the production budget and making sure that everything ran smoothly during filming.

Production Managers prepare production schedules or script breakdowns to confirm that sufficient time has been allocated for all aspects of the production process, and to verify Producers' budgets and schedules. On drama productions they use Movie Magic (a specialist scheduling and budgeting software package) which provides logistical breakdowns of scripts, detailing all aspects of production requirements. These include: how many and which actors are needed on which days; what locations are required each day; crewing requirements etc.

The Production Manager, as the key person in the Production department, must liaise closely with all other Heads of Department to ensure that productions run smoothly, meet deadlines, and stay within budgets. Production Managers closely monitor schedules and budgets throughout shoots, preparing daily report sheets for Producers, detailing all aspects of each day's shoot. Production Managers must be able to deal with any contingencies during pre-production and shooting, and prepare workable alternative plans. They oversee all aspects of the day to day running of shoots, from contract preparation to all Health and Safety requirements, and work closely with members of all other production departments, actors, and other contributors. They report directly to Producers.

Job role: DirectorArea of Media : DirectionContract type: irregular hours and

freelance. Often work weekends and evenings

Salary: Rates can vary depending on the contract and the budget of the film.

Job Description: Directors have overall responsibility for the way films or television programmes are made. Director’s would use your creative vision, organisational skills and technical knowledge to manage the whole production process.

Job role: Screen WriterArea of Media : Script DepartmentContract type: Freelance can

arrange their own hours, or work office hours.

Salary: Agents would agree a fee or screen writer may receive a percentage of the profits.

Job Description:Screenwriters create ideas and bring stories to life in scripts for feature films, TV comedy and drama, animation, children's programmes and computer games.

Job role: Hair and make up Designer

Area of Media : Hair and Make UpContract type: Freelance,

irregular hours depending on the work that needs to be done

Salary: Usually paid a fee which can vary depending on the contract made.

Job Description: Make-up and Hair Designers usually work on feature films and high budget television dramas and must be proficient in both make-up and hair techniques.

Make-up and Hair are key elements in the overall design of films or television productions, creating a look for the characters in relation to social class, and time periods, and any other elements required to create the desired illusion.  Make-up and Hair Designers are responsible for the overall design, application, continuity and care of make-up and hair throughout the pre-production and production periods. 

The work involved ranges from creating contemporary looks to recreating period designs and styles, and transforming actors' physical appearance.  Make-up and hair effects include the design and application of wigs, hairpieces, hair extensions, facial hair, bald caps, tattoos, body paint; as well as medical effects such as cuts, scars, bullet wounds, burns, bruises, blood and the physical symptoms of various diseases.  Ageing and death effects are also the responsibility of the Make-up and Hair department. 

Job role: EditorArea of Media : EditingContract type: Can work standard office hours or

shit work depending when the film studio is booked out.

Salary: starting salaries can start from £25,000 a year for on going work. Experienced freelance work can be £1,000 - £2,000 a week.

Job Description:Editors work closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. The way a story unfolds and grabs the attention of the audience is one of the most important elements in filmmaking.

Job role: Post Production SupervisorArea of Media : EditingContract type: Can work standard office hours

or shit work just like the editor as they are in the same department.

Salary: between £15,000 and £25,000 depending on the contract offered.

Job Description:Post Production Supervisors are responsible for the post production process, during which they maintain clarity of information and good channels of communication between the Producer, Editor, Supervising Sound Editor and the Facilities Companies.

Job role: Assistant editorArea of Media : EditingContract type: Can work standard office

hours or shit work just like the editor as they are in the same department.

Salary: can receive up to £20,000 for experience work, free lance work salary can also vary.

Job Description: Assistant Editors take charge of the day-to-day running of the cutting room, leaving the Editor free to concentrate on the work of editing the film. Their first task is to communicate with other relevant departments in order to understand and analyse the requirements of the work flow, and to pass this information on to the Editor.

Editors work closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. On the first day of principal photography, Editors begin work in the cutting room, looking at the previous day's rushes which are developed overnight at the Film Lab and synced–up by the Assistant Editor. Editors check the technical standards, as well as the emerging sense of story, and the actors' performances. Because scenes are shot and edited out of sequence, Editors may work on scenes from the end of the film before those at the beginning, and must therefore be able to maintain a good sense of how the story is unfolding. Editors select the best takes and edit them together to create scenes. In some cases, an improvised line or an actor's interpretation of their role may create some on–screen magic that can be developed into a new and exciting scene. By the time the film wraps Editors have spent hours reworking scenes and cutting them together to create a Rough Assembly.

Job role: Camera Operator

Area of Media : Technical/ Camera Department

Contract type: Can be irregular shift work, tends to be long and can run into the night depending the time of production.

Salary: Experienced freelance camera operators can be paid a high fee, depending on the production they will do. Standard paid work can vary widely depending on the type of contract.

Job Description: Camera Operators perform a vital role within the camera department on feature films. They support the Director of Photography and the Director by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shot composition and development.

Job role: Sound TechnicianArea of Media : Production Sound DepartmentContract type: Long irregular hours, often through

the night depending on when the production occurs.

Salary: starting Salaries can range from £18,000 to £25,000 per year for on going full time work.

Job Description: Production Sound Mixers are responsible for the difficult job of ensuring that dialogue recorded during filming is suitably clear. Approximately two weeks before the first day of principal photography, Production Sound Mixers meet with the Producer and Director to discuss their creative intentions, technical requirements and budgetary issues.

Job role: Boom OperatorArea of Media : Production Sound

DepartmentContract type: Long irregular hours, can

be freelance. often through the night depending on when the production occurs.

Salary: wages are negotiable depending on the contract offered. Experienced boom operators can receive up to £45,000

Job Description:Boom Operators are responsible for placing the microphone in the best position, without impeding camera operation, or hampering actors’ freedom to perform. Boom Operators are also responsible for all the sound equipment, ensuring that it is in good working order, and carrying out minor repairs where necessary.

Boom Operators assist the Production Sound Mixer and operate the boom microphone, which is either hand-held on a long arm or on a moving platform. If radio or clip microphones are required, Boom Operators position them correctly around the set or location, or on actors’ clothing. Boom Operators are responsible for positioning microphones so that Sound Mixers can capture the best quality dialogue and sound effects. If this is done well, a great deal of money can be saved by not having to re-record the dialogue at a later stage.

They begin work on the first day of principal photography, after reading the script several times, and familiarising themselves with the characters and their lines of dialogue. Members of the Sound Department arrive half-an-hour before call time, in order to unload and set up all the sound equipment. Boom Operators are on set virtually all day, positioned with the Camera Crew, with whom they must develop good working relationships as they are often asked to move slightly because of lights or camera angles; Boom Operators may also make similar reciprocal requests. They finish work when the film wraps (is completed).

Job role: Location ManagerArea of Media : Research/ LocationContract type: irregular pattern work/ depending when

the location is needed. Can often be freelance.Salary: can expect up to £1221 per week for TV drama

work and £1730 for major film work.Job Description: The Location Managers' primary role

is to identify and find ideal locations for a film shoot, reporting to the Producer, Director and Production Designer. The role also involves negotiating with each location's owners about a number of issues, such as the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise reduction, and what official permissions may be required.

Job role: Specialist ResearcherArea of Media : Research/ Art departmentContract type: irregular pattern work/free

lance usually through post productionSalary: salary will depend on the contract

type given. Experienced workers can be given up to £25000

Job Description: Specialist Researchers work closely with the Production Designer, the Supervising Art Director, Art Directors and Set Decorator, but also provide backup in the form of detailed research to the entire Art Department.

Specialist Researchers work closely with the Production Designer, the Supervising Art Director, Art Director and Set Decorator, but also provide backup in the form of detailed research to the entire Art Department. This may involve anything from finding a visual reference to inspire a specific set, or sourcing details that enable the Draughts men to produce accurate technical drawings, to researching a specific craft or skill that might be needed to make a prop. Supported by the Specialist Researcher, it is the Production Designer's job to ensure that every detail on sets, which can range from the interior of an alien spaceship to the contents of a Victorian drawing room.

he Specialist Researchers' work is highly specialised, and is only required on a few big budget films, usually historical epics or sci-fi/fantasy. This role should not be confused with that of live-footage Researchers who research any Film/TV clips and stock footage for use in films. They spend much of their time meeting with and talking to curators, academics and other experts to gain as much insight into a particular subject as possible.

Job role: Production AccountantArea of Media : Accounts/ FinanceContract type: Mostly freelance work.Salary: Depends on the contract. Experienced

freelance accountants can receive between £1300 - £1500

Job Description: Production Accountants are responsible for managing finances and maintaining financial records during film production. They work closely with the Producer and the production office to prepare schedules and budgets for film productions, as well as managing the day-to-day accounting office functions, and reporting the projects' financial progress against the budgets

Job role: Key assistant accountantArea of Media : Accounts/ FinanceContract type: Mostly freelance work.Salary: Depends on the contract. Assistant

accountants can receive between £900 - £1200

Job Description: On larger films Senior, or Key Assistant Accountants may act as the Production Accountant's “right hand”. Key Assistant Accountants contribute to the successful completion of film production through effective financial management, and meticulous cost control, combined with an understanding of the filming schedule and script breakdown.

Production accounts usually have experience in film production, and with a thorough knowledge of union, guild, tax and other relevant Government regulations. They usually work on a freelance basis, and the exact level of experience required depends on the size and scale of each specific film production. Career prospects are very good, both in the UK film industry and around the world.

Production Accountants are responsible for calculating finances, costing productions, liaising with financiers, and controlling the cash flow to ensure that payments are made on time, and 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.

Job role: SecretaryArea of Media : Administration Contract type: Office hoursSalary: up to £25,000 for specialised and

experienced workJob Description: As a secretary, you would

provide administrative support in all kinds of companies and organisations. Exact duties and responsibilities might vary according to the type of company you worked for, but would typically include: typing letters and other documents, updating records using computer database and spreadsheet software, answering the telephone and dealing with enquiries. Job role: Receptionist

Area of Media : Administration Contract type: Office hoursSalary: up to £21,000 for specialised and

experienced workJob Description: Receptionists are the first

point of contact for an organisation. They work in all kinds of settings, including businesses, schools, hospitals and sports centres. As a receptionist, your day-to-day duties would include: greeting visitors and directing them to the correct person or department managing the visitors book and issuing security passes providing information and answering queries answering calls and taking messages dealing with phone enquiries providing refreshments keeping the reception area tidy organising reading material in the waiting area