Producer.
- The main duties and responsibilities:
Producers plan and coordinate lots of different aspects of film production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging the financing.
- How much will they earn:
Starting salaries for the producers may range from £18,000 to £25,000. It depends on whether or not you have experience and if you work on TV dramas or feature in films.
- The hours they are expected to work:
On weekends, work involves regular unsocial hours and also in the evenings. They are expected to work for long hours and the time spent in meetings.
- How this job fits in to the larger picture of the industry:
Producers fits in to the film industry as they may find employment with an independent production companies, production and facilities houses, community film/video projects.
- The experience you need to get:
As a producer you will need confidence in your ability, strong communication skills, presentation and pitching skills and a creative ability.
- The role you could undertake after you have been successful in this role:
You can look for job vacancies at Broadcast, Freelance video collective, The stage and The knowledge etc. Also, experience in this role could lead to employment as a producer.
Director.
- The main duties and responsibilities:
A film director controls the film’s artistic and dramatic aspects and creates the script or the actual film/screenplay while instructing the crew and the actors in the process. The director however also has a key role in choosing the cast members, designing the production and the creative aspects of the filmmaking.
- How much will they earn:
The average director salary is £100,000 to £200,000 a week, however ad a freelancer you have to discuss the salary from job to job so it really depends on what kind of director you want to be.
- The hours they are expected to work:
It involves regular weekend and evening work. Many directors usually work more hours than they should.
- How this job fits in to the larger picture of the industry:
Because it is related to creative and performing arts, English literature, drama and theatre studies and music.
- The experience you need to get:
You should gain practical experience in acting and stage management, you also need creativity and the ability to express yourself and direct people to their job roles.
- The role you could undertake after you have been successful in this role:
You can progress to the following roles – actor, assistant director, designer, producer, stage manager, writer.
Editor:
- The main duties and responsibilities:
You will receive a brief and an outline of the footage (production folder) – a shot list, script or screenplay. Also bringing together all the raw footage with the camera shots and angles which is either recorded or transferred onto a video tape.
- How much will they earn:
The starting salary for assistant editors are in region of £18,000 to £25,000. With experience as a film or a video editor you could earn up to £21,000 to £35,000. However, at a senior level your earnings could reach £37,000 to £70,000.
- The hours they are expected to work:
Hours of work depends on the production you usually have a 50 hour working week if you are working in television or feature film projects. Shift work can be needed if editing studios are booked at night. Also, when there are deadlines, long hours can be expected.
- How this job fits in to the larger picture of the industry:
You can relate it to communication and media studies, graphic design, photography film and television.
- The experience you need to get:
You will be expected to have experience and show evidence of having worked on film or video production. You need to have creativity and be interested in film and video editing, also patience is important and concentration.
- The role you could undertake after you have been successful in this role:
Looking for job vacancies for film and video editors at 4rfv, mandy.com, production base.
Camera Assistant.
- The main duties and responsibilities:
As a television camera operator, you will need to prepare and set up equipment to filming which includes things like the actual camera, tripod, lighting, cables and leads and headphones. You will also need to repair and maintain equipment and study the scripts.
- How much will they earn:
Camera operators usually work on a freelance basis depending on the type of production. Day rates range from £254 to £319.
- The hours they are expected to work:
Working hours are usually not planned and long from 10 to 14 hours a day, it can also include working on the weekends, in the evening and night shoots.
- How this job fits in to the larger picture of the industry:
As it can provide a useful background in journalism, media production, media studies, performing arts and photography.
- The experience you need to get:
Employers look for people with interest in photography and have had experience with it. You will need to know your camera angles and shots, also good communication skills while working and team working skills.
- The role you could undertake after you have been successful in this role:
After this job role, you can develop to lighting cameraperson or the director of photography. With experience, it can lead to better opportunities and offers for work.
Actor.
- The main duties and responsibilities:
As an actor you will need to prepare for and attend auditions, learn lines from script and rehearse, perform for a live audience, you will also to do some voice overs for advertisements.
- How much will they earn:
They earn about £18,000. On average, actors spend about 80% of their working life resting (not employed as an actor) so it is likely you will need to have other ways of having an income.
- The hours they are expected to work:
Working hours are expected to be long and unsocial, television and film work often involve very early starts and late finishes. If on tour, the actor can be travelling and setting up equipment for scenery during the day and performing at night.
- How this job fits in to the larger picture of the industry:
As you will need confidence to network and follow up contacts, also the ability to sing, dance or play a musical instrument.
- The experience you need to get:
You will need acting experience from school, college, or youth. You can also do work experience at a theatre. For experience you need to have good communication and listening skills, also you need to take instructions and criticism at times.
- The role you could undertake after you have been successful in this role:
There is no career progression for an actor, you can spend your whole career moving from one acting contract to another by performing similar work without getting extra responsibility or an increase in pay.
Caren Lamaa 