2.1 Explain the working culture of the film industry

Working in the media industries can be very rewarding as you take part in creating something new everyday but there are some obstacles. Things like hours in the beginning of your career can be irregular and you may not get a regular income and need a part time job.

Working on set is a very professional and sometimes stressful environment so you need to be focused and patient with others. Budget can often be a constraint with resources and production so you need to be able to creatively problem solve. The main pressures in filming is accuracy and making sure before you go for a take everything is as perfect as possible so that nothing ruins a take.

The positives to working in the industry are that you get to create something you’re proud of as a group effort and you have a role within that group that you like fulfilling, the negatives are that it’s very hard to make it and in the beginning you have to work up to the role you want.

The qualities you need to work in the industry are varied, things like time management are important because if your late on a deadline or to set it creates a bad impression for you which makes it harder to get a job. Also being social and good in a crisis as working around lots of people all the time you need to be able to communicate effectively to help the project run as smoothly as possible, and being good at problem solving (quickly) is a very good skill as surprise issues often come up and they need someone who can resolve these problems so not much time is lost. Being flexible is also a good quality as there’s a lot of jobs out there and the more you know the more you can take on and the more useful you are to potential employers.

2.2 Describe a range of key job roles and responsibilities in the film industry

Screen writer: They provide the first part of the production process to which all the other crew aim to bring to life. The script has to have an engaging plot, relatable characters, and an overarching theme thats present throughout. When writing their script, the writer must keep in mind the budget as to not include to many stunts that will later be cut because of he finances. They also have to be aware of deadlines too not rush the creative process. Scriptwriter and Producer: In order to get a green light sometimes a script will made, based of what the broadcaster wants, and so the script writer will work with the producer for the pitch and figure out finances. other times the script will just be an original idea and pitched to the broadcasters with the producer.

Script Editor: Their job is to work with the writer and give feedback on the script. This can range from making sure the continuity is maintained, making sure the script appeals to the demands of broadcasters, and advice on finance so that the script it is not unrealistic.    Editor and Writer: In order for a good script to be made there has to be a good working relationship between these two roles, as one cant live without the other. Sometimes this means editors will only work with certain writers or vise versa.

Directors of photography: They are the heads of camera and electrical departments and so they oversee a lot of the main production. They work with the director to make sure the film looks a certain way. To do this they scout locations and what type of camera’s/lenses to use to make sure the style is consistent throughout. They handle a lot of the logistics like location recces, what type of lighting to use, any camera filters. During post production they also help with the digital grading, and on smaller productions they sometimes operate cameras.    DOPs and Directors: These two people will often work together as their responsible for the film as a whole, they both have to maintain a certain visual element throughout, without being cliche.

Console operator: These people are in charge of lighting when filming. They have control of the lights, the dimmer board, (these are normally connected connected) , to create the desired look. When in the studio the environment is more controlled but often they will be filming outside and so depending on the effect the operator will have to tackle with lighting changes, unexpected weather, and not ideal working conditions so they always have to pre-plan around the obstacles they might face.                                                                    Operator and DOP: It is essential that these two people collaborate, as lighting is one of the main ways to create a visual style, that’s practical to work with and suits the environment.

Camera Operator: They’re responsible for filming. They need to make sure framing and composition are correct and have to think practically about how to bring out certain emotions using certain shots, even when there can be no dialogue or just a character moving from one place to another.                                                                                                            Operator and DOP: These people work together and focus on the visual side of the show. How they want it to look and as a result how they want the audience to feel, they decide when to use certain shots to get a certain tone/reaction.

2.3 Potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector

Here’s a link to my group research into progression routes

PROGRESSION PLAN

What areas/ specialisms in creative media would you like to work in?

I would like to work in screenwriting for film and TV, and possibly as a Camera operator.

Would you like to further study film / creative media? At this moment I’m not sure but I’m looking into it and will take every opportunity I get.

What courses interest you? Give reasons  The courses that interest me are ones directed at film-making and screen writing as they can teach me to develop my skills in my chosen area as well as my overall knowledge of producing a film. They will allow me to work in multiple job roles, when making a film in future so that I won’t be confined by my capabilities.

Which local media companies would you be interested in working with? Give reasons I would be interested in working with the BBC as I’ve worked with them in the past and, I was impressed by their product .  There are multiple companies at the bottle yard studios who I can approach about working with them as they’re based at my college.

What are the options for making your own content? I could work with fellow film makers from my college or with the BiFi alumni.

I could ask people I know from the film/TV industry if they’d be interested in working with me.

I could volunteer at festivals to film, or ask to film music videos.

What would you make and how?

I would make a short documentary about a subject I want to help raise awareness of.

What are the options for funding and distribution?

I can distribute the film on my social medias, YouTube, Vimeo, and see if I can get it shown in independent cinema’s in Bristol. With funding I can enter competitions, or work with companies like random acts and convince them to sponsor me.

What networks will you join?

The BFI Academy and Boomsatsuma alumni. I will network online and email people. I can keep in contact with the people I already know.

What do you hope to gain from these networks?

Knowledge, opportunities, friends who have common interests and people I know and trust to work with.

Are there other opportunities you are interested in?

Yes, I plan on applying for the NFTS screenwriting residential next year and hope to make innovative films throughout college.

What are your next steps? Look into possible film schools and courses at university, and continue to make films I will be proud of and learn from.

PERSONAL PLAN template

Learning from Masterclasses