Unit 8: Understanding The Television And Film IndustriesTask 2CHIZERA WHITROD

This Booklet is catered towards careers advisors to distribute to those wishing to work in the Film and Television industries.

The booklet contains 5 different job roles ranging from creative, technical and managerial roles.

Role 1Animator (2D drawn animation)

What Are The Main Duties And Responsibilities Of The Role?

An Animator (2D drawn) has many responsibilities they have to be accounted for. The role of a 2d animator is the same for all techniques of animation. The differences are in the tools used and in some of the skills that are required. Day-to-Day duties could range from: Production designers to create the look of a product Storyboard artists to take the script or ideas and show the story

in a visual way Layout artists to draw how each shot will look Compositors to join together different layers of animation

Their main responsibility is to make sure the story that they have been given in oral or literary source material must be converted into a animation for a film or a television show, from which the storyboard is derived.

For example- The Animators have been given a project they have to complete for a upcoming film. They first have to make storyboards. 

The storyboard will show the sequence of shots as consecutive sketches that will indicate transitions, camera angles, and framing. 

The images allow the animation team to plan the flow of the plot and the composition of the imagery. The storyboard artists will have regular meetings with the director and may have to redraw or "re-board" a sequence many times before it meets the final approval. After they have gotten the approval they will start to make the animation.

How Much Will They Earn?

Animators salary can range from:

Starter: £14,000 to £20,000

Experienced: £22,000 to £28,000

Highly Experienced: £36,000 and over

Freelance animators are usually paid a fee per project. Their salary can vary and be based on their experience and the types of production they are working on.

What Hours Could They Expect To Work?

Animators working hours can vary. They can usually work between 35 to 40 hours, Monday to Friday.

Their working environment such as office or studio based work can have an impact on how many hours they are expected to work.

What Kind Of Contract Will They Be Under?

Many studios have permanent/full time positions, although many Animators work on a contract basis. This is very similar to how live action actors/ actresses work- from project to project.

Studios hire production staff on contract because animation work is project based. It is a set amount of work- then it is finished. Studios then have to find the next project. Well established studios usually have future projects lined up.

How Does This Job Fit Into The Larger Picture Of The Industry?

Animations are used in almost all aspects of the media industry from Films, TV, Adverts, Games, Websites and Music Videos. Can design productions to create the look the company want Create visual script and ideas/ Draw how each shot will look for a TV program or Film Video Games      The video game industry requires the talents of skilled animators who can create cutting-edge characters and animation designed to delight gamers of all ages. Consumers demand realistic video game worlds where they can immerse themselves in the game events and interact with realistic-looking characters. Websites      Animators create moving advertisements and other colorful images for the Internet. Websites use

animators to design interesting pictures to encourage Web surfers to spend time perusing their Web pages. Innovative and sophisticated animation helps to distinguish a website from the plentiful competition on the World Wide Web.

Television and Movies       Whether designing 2-D cartoons, computer animated cartoons or special effects, animators can find

steady work creating the moving images that populate movies, commercials and even the evening news.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co0tTeuUVhUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crbFmpezO4Ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjCFghl9l8

What Experience Do They Need To Get This Role?

To become a Animator (2D drawn) it would be useful to have an animation or art-related degree.

Degrees can range from- BA (Hons) Animation Production BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Character for Digital Media BA (Hons) AnimationAn Aspiring Animator could start off as a studio runner and progress to assistant

animatorThis could help build a portfolio to show to future employers and work their way up.

What Role Could They Undertake After They Have Been Successful

In This Role? If you are a strong and an ambition person this job role could

progress you into becoming a Animation Director, Art Director, Designer or Director. Or you could move into 3D computer animation.

Role 2

Account Executive

What Are The Main Duties And Responsibilities Of The Role? Account Executives are responsible for ensuring their clients

accounts run smoothly.  The have to develop effective working relationships with their

client contacts, and assist with all the key functions that go into creating the agency's advertising output. 

They will get involved with solving problems, drafting internal and external communications and documenting progress. 

How Much Will They Earn?

In the UK depending on where the Account Executives office is based, their salary can vary as different areas have different expenses. For example an employee working in the London offices can receive higher pay compared to those working in Manchester offices.

Examples of different locations consists of:

London with a salary of £28,869

Leeds with a salary of £24,687

Manchester with a salary of £23,333

Birmingham with a salary of £21,272

What Hours Could They Expect To Work?

Working hours are typically from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, this can depend on the expectation of their deadlines as they may need to start work early or stay later. Weekend work is rare.

Hours may be irregular and part-time work opportunities are increasing.

What Kind Of Contract Will They Be Under?

Account Executive contract will vary depending on who they are working with. But for most Account Executive their contract will include 6- 12 month contracts.

How Does This Job Fit Into The Larger Picture Of The Industry?

Account executive is a very big role in the creative industry. They make sure that everything they are working on with their client runs smoothly. For example Deadlines- They have to make sure that all of their clients deadlines are met

Bridge- They have to ensure a smooth running of the client accounts within the agency and the client and advertising agency have good communication

What Experience Do They Need To Get This Role?

To become a Account Executive it would be best to get a degree or HND in subjects around: Humanities Arts and LanguagesBy studying these subjects it can increase the chances of getting a job because they are often highly valued for developing critical thinking skills and creativity, essential skills an Account Executive.But it is possible to become a Account Executive without a degree, the role is typically a graduate trainee entry-level position. Employers will be interested in personal skills as problem-solving and communication.

What Role Could They Undertake After They Have Been successful

In This Role? Account Executives can progress to become Account Managers

and Account Directors before progressing into agency management roles. You will only be able to move up if you are able to deliver excellent work for the client, managing effective relationships, finding and pitching for new business and being passion for the role.

Role 3

Financial Controller

What are The Main Duties And Responsibilities Of The Role?

The main roles and responsibilities of an Financial Controller is to;  Manage all aspects of the finances of a company or large film

production

Prepare budgets, manage cash flow, accounting and taxation, raising finances

Oversee the Production Accounts team

How Much Will They Earn?

The salary for Financial Controller can vary depending on what industry sector they work within and how many years experience they have.

For the creative sector the average salary is £40,000 but it can range from £29,000- £68,000

What Hours Could They Expect To Work?

What Kind Of Contract Will They Be Under?

How does This Job Fit Into The Larger Picture Of The Industry? Being a Financial Controller is a very important job but is also

challenging. They make sure that the accounting, taxation and financial for the work of the company is done, including development, production, distribution. If the preparation of the budgets, managing ash flow and accounting and taxation and raising finances are not done this have a bad effect on the rest of the productions. As the company/ production would not know how much money is coming and going.

What Experience Do They Need To Get This Role?

To become a Financial Controller you will need a BA degree in Accountancy as well as a number of years of experience within film production, media or film finance. 

To get permanent employment with a production company, they would usually need to be shown chartered accountant with solid grounding in company and commercial accounting.

Freelance Senior Production Accountants who work as Financial controllers on large films will need to have excellent track record on large film productions.

What Role Could They Undertake After They Have Been Successful

In This Role? After becoming a Financial controller those wanting to undertake

more jobs to add to experience can expend to becoming a Finance Director, Trading, Insurance, Corporate Law and many other jobs.

Role 4

Costume Assistant

What Are The Main Duties And Responsibilities Of The Role?

Costume Assistants help; Assisting with the design of, and research into costumes and

helping to make and adapt them Carrying out a range of tasks from ordering accessories,

overseeing fittings and helping with continuity Taking instructions from Costume Designers, Costume Design

Assistants, Costume Supervisors and Wardrobe Supervisors

How Much Will They Earn?

Many wardrobe assistants work freelance and their rates can vary widely.

Starter: £13,000 (trainee) Experienced: £18,000 to £28,000 (qualified) Highly Experienced: £35,000 (senior)

What Hours Could They Expect To Work?

 Hours could be long and may involve evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.

Costume Assistant could work in a studio, theatre, from an office or from home. 

They will also attend meetings with theatres or film and TV production companies

What Kind Of Contract Will They Be Under?

How Does This Job Fit Into The Larger Picture Of The Industry? Costume Assistants are involved in sourcing and buying

costumes and accessories. They are given the responsibility for crowd fittings. They help to organize the costume department, ordering supplies and assisting in setting up workrooms needed for productions. They take artists measurements and make sure that all of the clothes and costumes have the right styles, designs for the project that they are working on.

What Experience Do They Need To Get This Role?

When becoming a Costume Assistant having a degree in BA Hons or BTEC in fashion, costume design or performing arts (with a design module) would be helpful.

But qualifications are not essential for the role

You are expected to start as a Trainee working on film or television production set and progress through the Costume Department.

What Role Could They Undertake After They Have Been Successful

In This Role? Costume Assistant can specialize in either theatre or in film and

TV, but could work in both areas once you’re established.

Role 5

Sound Assistant (TV)

What Are The Main Duties And Responsibilities Of The Role?

TV Sound Assistants work closely with Sound Supervisors and Boom Operators to help record the best quality sound in studios or on locations

TV Sound Assistants must be able to carry out a variety of tasks, including assembling and maintaining sound recording equipment, setting up communication and public address systems, and positioning microphones. They work under the supervision of the Sound Supervisor.

They may also play in music or operate sound effects as necessary, under the direction of the Director and Sound Supervisor. They ensure that any cables are kept clear of moving equipment, fill in accurate and clear sound report sheets, store materials, report any technical faults they may find, and undertake basic technical maintenance tasks as required.

How Much Will They Earn?

The salary for a Sound Assistant can range from depending on the region of where the TV program was filmed. 

The starting salary can range from £16,000 to £18,000 

With experience salaries can rise to £30,000 

Freelance work is common and in these instances you must be prepared to negotiate rates according to your experience and the type of production. 

The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) recommended day rates for sound assistants working on feature films in the UK range from £275 to £385, depending on the budget of the film

What Hours Could They Expect To Work?

Sound Assistants frequently have to work long days and unsocial hours (the average working day is ten hours) including evenings, nights and weekends. They often need to adopt flexible working patterns in order to work on breaking stories, to tight deadlines or to ensure that the creative process is not interrupted.

What Kind Of Contract Will They be Under?

You’ll mainly work in recording studios or on locations.

You’ll need to be flexible about working hours, You'll work long and irregular hours, including early mornings or late nights, according to the demands of the production. You may also need to be flexible and work at short notice.

For production sound recording, you could work anywhere from studios to outside locations, in all weather conditions. Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas. 

Post-production sound editing takes place in soundproofed studios and editing suites.

How Does This Job Fit Into The Larger Pictures Of The industry?

Sound Assistants ensure that all of the assembling and maintaining sound recording equipment, setting up communication and public address systems and microphones are set up. Without Sound Assistants the industry we would not any sound on film and the TV's. Audiences would not be able to get the full effect of those films and TV program, which will result in the viewings decreasing. 

What Experience or Qualifications Do They Need To

Get This Role? Experience of working in theatre or the music industry, hospital or community

radio would also provide you with a useful background for this role. Alternatively, getting a job with an equipment manufacturer or hire company could also provide valuable experience and training, helping you to learn about sound equipment, make industry contacts and get a foot in the door.

You won’t need a qualification to be a TV Sound Assistant. However it is vital to be able to show a strong interest in sound and an understanding of its physical properties. 

A good general education will be useful. GCSEs or A-levels in maths and physics and qualifications in electronics will be particularly beneficial. Having a HND to degree level in sound technology, audio engineering, acoustics and music recording is a great way to learn and gain experience.

What Role Could They Undertake After They Have Been Successful

In This Role?

Becoming successful as a Sound Assistant there are many roles that a person can do such as becoming a Sound Recordist, Sound technician, Sound Designer, Boom Operator and many more (to find out about more roles go to http://creativeskillset.org).

Bibliography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co0tTeuUVhU  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crbFmpezO4A  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjCFghl9l8 http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/3759_financial_controller