Job roles in media

Job roles in media

Screen writer (and script reader and script editor)

-          They prepare their script to relate to the audience

-          Collaborate with producers, directors and actors and redraft their script

-          Often work with deadlines

-          Almost always are freelancers

-          Screenwriters develop roughly three drafts of a screenplay, with the third being “the polish” this is the version that gets pitched to a producer or film studio

-          Once screenplay is picked by a studio, more screenwriters may be brought in to work with a development producer to get it ready for the production.

-          Any new screenwriter may share a credit with the original screenwriter

-          It is possible for the writer to be replaced entirely by another screen writer

What they are good at 

-          They know how they can improve

-          Understand all the features which makes a great screenplay

-          can effectively make ideas come alive

-          they have a deep and wide variety of all genres of art meaning they are able to get ideas from a variety of places

-          they can easily find work for themselves such as freelancing

-          good with managing finances

-          are able to keep themselves self-motivated

 

Who they work with?

-          Screenwriters work with development producers and their assistants

-          Sometimes assisted by researchers (they help provide the correct information for the screen plays and will also get facts, will also make sure that the facts are correct before they go anywhere.

-          When near the end the screenwriters may have their screenplays checked by script editors who will then have a run through of the work to make sure it all makes sense, everything is in the correct place and its all running smoothly.

-          After the script editors have looked at the screenplay, they may be supported by assistant script editors.

In order to become a screenwriter, I have to….

-          Write as many of your own screenplays as possible

Doing this you will be able to improve all the time making the work better.

-          It is not essential to have a degree but it is useful to have had some sort of education in English or screenwriting lessons

 

Director

-          They are the ones who have the creative vision throughout the picture, they never lose sight of it and they need to make sure everything is as they imagined it would be.

-          They are employed by the executive producer or producer. They are in charge of a whole production so all of the ideas have to go through them

-          They start with the script and work with the screenwriter and sometimes a script editing team

-          The director can also be the screenwriter as well

-          As director your job is to imagine the script in visual form.

-          When the money for the production have been raised the director then works with the director of photography, assistant director and production designer

-          When that has been finished they then work with the producers and casting director they include the notes about camera shots and they do some script changes

-          Some directors like to rehearse actors ahead of shooting however not all of them do.

-          They “block” the performance with the actor before filming begins this means that they go through where the actors are going to be positioned in the scene before they start to present and deliver their dialogue.

-          Directors will also be instructing other members of the crew, they mainly include lighting, wardrobe and make up supervisors.

-          They push the actors so they can bring out the best in them

-          Makes sure that all technical aspects are in place and get a great scene

-          When finished the first one completed is the “directors cut” this will be sent to the director, producers and financiers so they will get to see the final cut to make sure everything is up to scratch and is how they want it to be.

-          Directors may be employed by TV broadcasters, film or television production companies, or work on a freelance basis.

 

A good director

-        -  Holds a good imagination

-        -  Has great leadership

-         - Can work with a load of people

-         -Know most of the knowledge of arts, what does well together and what doesn’t, how things can be changed and what will make it better.

-       -   They understand the film or TV drama production process from start to finish, from both technical points of view

-        -  They work well under pressure

-         - Make decisions quickly when things go wrong

They have relationships with every department head. They work close with the producers and casting directors and during production they have a really close connection with the director of photography and the first assistant director. After the production they work closely with the editors to produce the final program and make sure it finishes how they want it to be.   

 

Becoming a director, you will need

-          some start in theatre

-          worth starting as a runner on set or in a production office and work your way up

-          got to have A levels or higher in drama and theatre, English, film studies or media studies. Or level 3 vocational qualifications such as

-          OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

-          BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts

-          BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production

-          Aim Awards Diploma in Creative and Digital Media

-          OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)

-          BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production

-          BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Visual Effects

-          RSL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts

-          UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology

-          UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts

 

Producer

-          They are often the first to get involved, spotting the creative opportunity and commercial viability of a production.

-          They continue to keep everyone in the correct mind frame and make sure everyone is doing what they are meant to be doing

-          They are the overall decision makers, everything gets run through them

-          Producers will come up with story ideas and hire writers or choose and secure the rights to scripts, this is known as the “optioning” a script

-          They are the ones who scales the budget if the film and source financing from investors, studios and distributors

-          Working with creative ideas from the directors and approve production costs

-          Approve the locations and hire a team for the production, delegating certain responsibilities to a line producer.

-          Their job to create a good working environment and they constantly communicate with everyone to make sure everything runs smoothly

-          They have ultimate legal responsibilities for the health and safety of the crew on set and delivery of a completed film at the end of the production process.

 

What’s a producer good at?

-          They have the extensive knowledge of all the creative processes of making a film or tv programme including screenwriting, directing and editing

-          They know how to tell a story, what makes a good’s story and are able to0 make and approve creative decisions to help this do well

-          They understand what makes a film successful and know how to market it to distributors and the public

-          Knowing how to wow the audience, they must understand and know what the audience is looking for, what they like in other movies and put that into their work   

-          Got to be able to lead a group of people, know how to work with them and deal with them

-          Got to have good communication if they don’t have this then the movie could go completely wrong as they wouldn’t know what each person is doing

-          Must be an organised person, be on top of things, make sure the schedules are prepared and they must be good prepare the production budget using financial skills to secure funding and negotiate salaries

Who does the producer work with?

They work with everyone. Producers lead and communicate with the whole production team as well as distribution and marketing teams. They answer to executive producers who serve as the overseeing face of the film studio, financers, or who are the overall leads on a series.

To become a producer, you’d need

-          Film producers are often hired based on reputation so you need a lot of experience.

-          Good understanding of all aspects of filmmaking is essential.

-          Starting as a runner can really help as this way you will have some experience

-          Must have a combination of business skills and creative vision for this job and understanding of both sides of the industry.

-          If you want to go to university and learn about being a producer there you will need to be looking towards a-levels in drama and theatre studies, English, film studies or media studies as these grades would be a massive push towards your goal

-          Build a portfolio, this will help you to be able to show of the work you have produced

-          Need a degree in media studies, film production or film history will equip you with knowledge and experience of cinema or television and production sets.

-          Taking short courses will help a lot as well this way you will be able to learn more in a short amount of time.