Creative Media Sector: Job Roles

Runner

Job Profile

A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company. Their general responsibilities include tea making, transporting scripts and hire equipment, taking messages, looking after guests and getting everything in place for shoots.

This role offers the opportunity to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the ladder for people aspiring to roles in broadcasting media.

 

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

·         Ability to network with a wide range of people (actors, directors, other departments, caterers, etc)

·         Physical stamina and resilience

·         Initiative and the ability to problem solve

·         Flexibility and the ability to think on your feet

·         Good research skills

·         Excellent time management and organisational skills

·         An understanding of the industry

·         Team working skills

·         Enthusiasm and motivation

·         Ability to remain calm under pressure

·         A proactive disposition

Role and Responsibilities

Runners are first and foremost run errands as their responsibilities vary widely from shoot to shoot but usually involve taking messages, organising props, looking after cast and crew (making tea and coffee can be an hourly task), driving, delivering technical equipment and attending to specific requests from the Producer, Director or Assistant Directors. 

The overall responsibility of a Runner is to complete whatever task is assigned to them as quickly and as efficiently as possible; even small details may cause interruptions or delays to filming, all their duties must be carried out rapidly, so that the shoot can progress smoothly. 

They must also be very observant, as their role involves training and developing their skills on the job, on the go. Travel within a working day is also common as you are likely to spend a lot of time travelling to and from locations, picking people up from places such as airports and train stations, making local deliveries and doing any shopping that is needed as they must always be reliable and organised.

Conditions of the Job

The work is usually freelance and involves long and unpredictable hours and can often up to six days a week during production. They can be employed on full-time, short-term contracts. Short-term contracts and long hours can have lifestyle and financial implications. It is recommended, therefore, that you line up your next piece of work while still working on the current project.  

Along with long hours, you may have to work nights, weekends and public holidays. Film and TV shoots often want to make the most of the daylight for filming so early mornings and late nights are a common occurrence.  

There are many work experience opportunities for runners, which most of them are unpaid but which usually come with expenses covered. This experience may allow you to compete for paid positions as the salaries are generally static and start to rise upon gaining promotion to either head runner or researcher.

Career breaks are possible although it is recommended not to take too long a break as it is important to keep up to date with current news and trends in the industry. Work takes place in offices and/or studios, as well as on location however travel within a working day is common. You are likely to spend a lot of time travelling to and from locations, picking people up from places such as airports and train stations, making local deliveries and doing any shopping that is needed.

What drew me to this job?

After seeing what the job role requires, I wondering that myself as I hate early mornings with a passion! However if it’s a necessary to work my way up to work in a film industry then I will have to do to early mornings. I think this job is also a good way to build my confidence as a lot of the time I stumble with my words and it could anyone a lot of people who have no patience. I also think it’s a good step if I want to be a director but then again in the media industry – I wanna try everything!

References

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/runner_broadcasting_film_video_job_description.htm

http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/jobs/direction/article_3881_1.asp

Voice Actor

Job Profile

Though it’s not as fancy as actor or a director, a voice acting job has all the elements of a dream job. It is challenging yet fun and offers great remuneration. Voice acting is the core of all cartoons and animation movies and voice actors mainly provides voice over for a cartoon or an animated character.

 

Role and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of this job include some of the following: to be on time, to follow script direction, to listen to subtle changes. A voice over actor must have the ability to analyze a piece of copy (script) quickly and then make changes according to a director’s words.

Voice over actors read scripts for movies, internet voice files, CD-ROMs, and radio and television commercials. They may also narrate audio books, phone system hold messages, and corporate or industrial videos.

However the job itself does not only include making funny noises, it also includes giving the perfect voice that suits the character as well as appeal the audience. The voice actors must have voice clarity, great flexibility, good diction and command over the language. Apart from these, the most important requirement of a voice actor is the ability to convey the right feelings and emotions to the audience through change in the voice pitch, tone and intensity.

If a person has all these qualities then she/he can seriously think of taking up a voice acting job however the job is full of challenges but it can have its share of excitement and fun. Voice actors must imagine being on stage or before a camera and give a similar acting performance behind the mike. For this they need to work in tandem or sometimes even in isolation, which can be a tough job.

A voice acting job is not merely restricted to coming up with different voices, being an expert in voice modulation technology, audio software and sound engineering is also an integral part of their job.

Also a voice actor must be a good entrepreneur, capable of generating new leads. This is mainly due to the market now getting crowded with many talented voice artists causing saturation and lack of jobs and often voice actors need to work for commercial voiceovers, dubbings, narrations and announcements as a support to their main job of voice acting.

Conditions of the Job

To the audience acting seems like glamorous work, but the profession itself requires unusual talent and years of training and study, offers a minimum of security, and is physically and intellectually demanding, however most actors report a great deal of satisfaction from their work, whether they act in plays, in films, or on television.

Acting assignments typically are short term ranging from 1 day to a few months which means that actors frequently experience long periods of unemployment between jobs. Often actors, producers, and directors must hold other jobs in order to maintain a living.

A voice actor must also be prepared to face rejections and not get too down about it. A rejection does not always indicate that the voice is rubbish. Often the producers have a specific type of voice in mind and though fore do not settle for a different voice.

What drew me to this job?

Why not?! It’s sound like a lot of fun and I can be animated and put myself in character’s shoes plus I know I love being silly and put my energy into the characters.

References

http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/voice-acting-jobs-1256386.html

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/96/Actor.html

Film/Video Editor

Job Profile

A film or video editor is responsible for assembling raw material into a finished product suitable for broadcasting. The material may be a lot of raw camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects. This is a key role in the post-production process and the editor's skill can determine the quality and delivery of the final product. The editor may be part of a team and they will usually work closely with the director to achieve the desired end result.

Role and Responsibilities

The film/video editors are usually employed on a freelance basis, working on short-term contracts for post-production studios, television companies and corporate employers. Editors may work on a variety of productions including feature films, television programmes, music videos, corporate training videos or advertisements with help of digital technology and depending on the product, an editor may be very involved in creating the narrative, structure, and tone of the programme. In some situations they may be given creative freedom while in others they may be needed merely to operate the machine.

The process of work for an editor involves:

·         Receiving a brief, and maybe an outline of footage and/or a shot list, script, or screenplay;

·         Assembling all raw footage, with camera shots either recorded or transferred onto video tape in preparation for inputting into the computer;

·         Inputting uncut rushes and sound, and synchronising and storing them into files on the computer;

·         Digitally cutting the files to determine the sequence of the film and determining what is usable;

·         Creating a 'rough cut' of the programme/film and determining the exact cutting for the next and final stages;

·         Re-ordering and tweaking the content to ensure the logical sequencing and smooth running of the film/video.

·         Overseeing the quality and progress of audio and vision engineering and editing

·         Consulting with the director, producer and/or client throughout the post-production process

·         Familiarising oneself with the style of specific directors

·         Experimenting with styles and techniques including the design of graphic elements

·         Selecting the most effective shot of a scene in terms of drama, story relevance or continuity

·         Writing voiceover/commentary;

·         Suggesting or selecting music;

·         If freelancing: negotiating rates of pay and conditions, managing business affairs, and/or liaising with an agent.

Conditions of the Job

No specific qualifications are required however, the following subjects may increase your chances and provide you with useful experience:

·         Communication and media studies;

·         Photography/film/television;

·         Fine art/visual art;

·         Information technology/multimedia;

·         Graphic design.

Any experience as an editor before getting a job is extremely important and you will need to show evidence of having worked on film/video production or post-production within or outside your degree, preferably via an up-to-date and well-prepared showreel. Film/video editing is not a starting role in the industry and it is common for current students or recent graduates to gain some experience by starting as a runner, broadcasting/film/video.

 

Editors can come from other roles and it is not unusual for an experienced film director to move into editing in order to gain a more settled lifestyle.

 

If you want to go straight into the business of editing, you must be able to demonstrate your skill with appropriate editing software packages, such as the AVID or Final Cut Pro packages. If you have experience of the very latest technology, it may reduce the competition you face.

In addition, you should show evidence of the following personal qualities:

·         A keen eye for detail and a critical mind

·         Creativity

·         The ability to listen to others and to work well as part of a team

·         A high level of self-motivation, commitment and dedication

·         Organisational skills and self/time management skills

·         Communication skills, both written and oral

·         Good vision and not colour blind

Hours vary depending on the production and may be standard office hours but when there are deadlines to meet, long hours and overtime may be required.

 

Freelancing involves periods of intensive work, but there may also be times of inactivity between projects which may be used to follow up on potential work and they often compete for work and may be involved with several productions of different sizes at any given time.

 

The work itself is usually done alone or with a director and they spend most of their time in editing suites which are mostly small but comfortable environments. A lot of time is spent working on computers. It is possible for freelance editors to work from home if they have their own equipment. On a large project an editor may also work with a sound effects editor, music editor and assistant editors.

While the majority of television and film editing work in the UK is London-based, post-production and facilities houses and independent production companies can be found in most cities but there may be opportunities abroad for experienced and established editors.

What drew me to this job?

Over my time at college, I learn that I love editing the footage and make them into a story even if they are a very short advert however I can spend hours trying to get it the way I see it in my head and it can be both fun and stressful but that’s the point of it.

References

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/film_video_editor_job_description.htm