2.1 Explain the working culture of the film industry

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

5 ROLES IN FILM:

DIRECTOR – Directors bring the film together – they piece together ideas with the team and they push the idea forward, leading the whole process through production. They are employed by the Producer to deliver the film project.

Directors work with the Producer to appoint the heads of department, such as the director of photography,  sound designer and production designer and work to ensure that all technical aspects are in place.

Directors work with producers and casting directors to select the actors and with the director of photography to develop the filming style and look of the film including notes about camera shots and script changes. Directors visualize the scenes and choreograph where actors are positioned, where they will move to over the course of a shot and how they will deliver their dialogue and work with actors to get the best performance. After filming, they lead the editing of a film,

SOUND MIXER -Sound mixers lead the department responsible for all the sound recorded during filming. This is predominantly dialogue but can include sound effects and atmosphere.

In preproduction they meet with the Producer and Director to discuss the best method of capturing sound alongside the director’s shooting style. They visit locations to check for potential sound problems, like passing trains or road noise.

During filming, sound mixers ensure audio from radio and boom microphones is recorded at a good level for every take. If they flag up a problem, the director decides whether to do another take or correct it in post-production.

Most film sets are challenging environments for mixers. Costumes rustle. Generators hum and cameras point in places where a microphone needs to be. Sound mixers solve the problems, often under pressure.

CAMERA OPERATOR Camera operators capture the shots. They make sure the cameras and rigs are set up and ready to use. During filming they handle the camera and attend to the composition of the pictures, all the time listening to the director and director of photography.

FOLEY ARTIST -Foley editors add subtle sounds that production microphones often miss. These often relate to movement, such as footsteps, fights, fist banging on a door, or pouring wine, shards of glass falling from a broken window. The process gives scenes added realism. They note every Foley effect that is required and work out how to create that sound in special studios. They create the sounds with Foley artists in front of a projected picture and may try several different ways get the right effect. Foley artistsfit the sound to the action in post production.

MUSIC SUPERVISOR – Music editors intensify the emotional impact, mood and atmosphere of a film by creating the soundtrack. They usually start work while the film is being edited. They work with the director to decide on the purpose of the music, find a style to suit the story and mark the points in the film where music is required (spotting).  Music editors often work closely with a composer, who is usually appointed by the director, and who composes the music. Music editors often act as a bridge between the sound and picture editing teams.

 

 

2.3 Potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector

Learn – Hannah

• YouTube/online education:

Masterclass where different actors and directors explaining their roles/areas in film (have to pay to access).

Free Youtube channels such as Film Night and Filmmaker IQ.

Website subscriptions such as Skillshare

• Research

Websites such as screenskills have information about industry roles and different areas of the film industry.

• Higher education:

University courses in filmmaking, media production and film studies . Channel 4 and the BBC have just moved lots of branches up to Northern cities, making cities such as Leeds (Leeds Beckett) and Liverpool (Liverpool John Moores) up and coming for contacts and jobs in the industry.

London has colleges like UAL (University of the Arts London) and the London Film School which are also very well connected in the industry in both London and other areas of the UK.

• Courses (BFI NFTS)

Attending BFI film academy and learning different skills such as camera work, editing and sound management.

Going to Pervasive media studio’s lunchtime talks on the media industry

NFTS course where you learn how to create and produce your own drama or attend any of their other courses on different specialist skills.

 

Create – Will

• Creating content yourself:

Massively beneficial as a way of learning and it is easily accessible with the technology available now.

• By filming video content:

You learn the process from start to finish, which contributes to a thorough understanding of the different job roles when entering work.

It is a perfect environment to make mistakes and to learn and grow.

• Building your own online presence:

This can lead to word of mouth recommendation and subsequent work.

The Post Room (BFI) and YouTube are examples of sites to post your work as well as view others’ work to draw inspiration.

• Film festivals (such as Future Film Festival, Encounters):

These festivals not only let you watch other pieces of film made by upcoming filmmakers and get to know them/the process behind the finished piece, but it also provides the opportunity to present your work to others (helping to network) and earn professional recognition for it (through awards and nominations).

• Collaboration with other filmmakers:

This helps develop skills and teamwork which is necessary to work in the industry.

 

Work – Tyler

• Internships and apprenticeships

BBC Whiteladies road studios do an apprenticeship as well as Channel 4, having just relocated to Bristol are going to advertise for work placements and are currently taking on people for work experience.

• Work experience

Emailing production companies such as Plimsoll productions and Icon Films.

• BBC New Creatives

Chance to get your work advertised to future employers and could use as a next step into the industry.

• Advertising your work

Create Youtube channel for your work of start your own blog.

Build your portfolio for future employers

 

Network – Nina

• Talking to people already within the industry:

Building bridges with people who have already established themselves in the industry, asking advice about how to do so by learning how they did so themselves.

• Friends/Family contacts:

Letting people know who you already have connections with, that you have an interest/passion for their field of work; this will make them more alert of opportunities that they can offer you and let you in with their own personal contacts.

• Making your passion/skills known (advertise):

Advertising yourself publicly – for example, on social media – makes you easy to contact and makes you and your work easily accessible to collaborators as well as possible employers.

• Film events:

Events such as The Link, run by Rife, and 4Talent open you up to meeting and showing your work to those working in the film industry. This can

• Pitching ideas:

Pitching ideas to companies or competitions allows you to meet new people who can offer up opportunities or give advice based on the ideas/work you’ve presented. It is essentially a ‘foot in the door’.

• Following and contacting companies online:

Being persistent in contacting companies, asking for advice or work experience, will alert these employers of your presence and passion, making it more likely for them to then see your work/potential.

• BFI Alumni:

Everyone on this course is an aspiring filmmaker/aiming to work in the same industry as you. This can help you in the future by providing contacts and collaborators once they/you have already or are in the process of establishing a career in the film industry.