Job Roles In The Media Industry

James Strutt

Camera Operator

• A camera operator or cameraman is a professional operator of a film or video camera. In filmmaking, the leading camera operator is usually called a cinematographer, while a camera operator in a video production may be known as a television camera operator, video camera operator, or videographer, depending on the context and technology involved, usually operating a professional video camera.

• The camera operator is responsible for physically operating the camera and maintaining composition and camera angles throughout a given scene or shot. In narrative filmmaking, the camera operator will collaborate with the director, director of photography, actors and crew to make technical and creative decisions. In this setting, a camera operator is part of a film crew consisting of the director of photography and one or more camera assistants. In documentary filmmaking and news, the camera is often called on to film unfolding, unscripted events.

• Important camera operator skills include choreographing and framing shots knowledge of and the ability to select appropriate camera lenses, and other equipment (dollies, camera cranes, etc.) to portray dramatic scenes. The principles of dramatic story telling and film editing fundamentals are important skills as well. The camera operator is required to communicate clearly and concisely on sets where time and film budget constraints are ever present.

Screen writing

• A screenwriter or scriptwriter or scenario writer is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media such as films, television programs, comics or video games are based.

• Screenwriting is a freelance profession. No education is required to become a professional screenwriter, just good storytelling abilities and imagination. Screenwriters are not hired employees, they are contracted freelancers. Most, if not all, screenwriters start their careers writing on speculation (spec), meaning they write without being hired or paid for it.

• Example of two famous script writers.• Neal Purvis (born 9 September 1961) and Robert Wade (born 1962) are English

screenwriters, who have co-written the five James Bond films from The World Is Not Enough to Skyfall, as well as other works. The two have been called "one of Britain's most successful screenwriting partnerships.

Journalist

• A journalist collects, writes and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.

• A reporter is a type of journalist who researches, writes, and reports information to present in sources, conduct interviews, engage in research, and make reports. The information-gathering part of a journalist's job is sometimes called "reporting," in contrast to the production part of the job such as writing articles. Reporters may split their time between working in a newsroom and going out to witness events or interview people. Reporters may be assigned a specific beat or area of coverage.

Production Designer• In film and television, a production designer or P.D is the

person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, video games, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the director and producer, they must select the settings and style to visually tell the story. The term "production designer" was coined by William Cameron Menzies while he was working on the film Gone with the Wind. Previously (and often subsequently) the people with the same responsibilities were called "art directors.“

• From early in pre-production, the production designer collaborates with the director and director of photography to establish the visual feel and specific aesthetic needs of the project. The production designer guides key staff in other departments such as the costume designer, the key hair and make-up stylists, the special effects director and the locations manager (among others) to establish a unified visual appearance to the film.

Cinematographer

• A cinematographer (sometimes given the title director of photography, or DP) is the chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, and responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image. The study and practice of this field is referred to as cinematography.

• In the British system, the director of photography ("DOP") is known as the lighting cameraman, and is responsible for lighting the set and the visual look of the film, but has no final say over more purely camera operating-based visual elements such as framing. This system means that the director consults the lighting cameraperson for lighting and filtration, and the operator for framing and lens choices. "DOP" is the British and Canadian acronym for "director of photography".

Make-up Artist • A make-up artist is an artist whose

medium is the human body, applying makeup and prosthetics for theatrical, television, film, fashion, magazines and other similar productions including all aspects of the modeling industry. Bigger production companies have in-house makeup artists on their payroll although most MUA’s generally are freelance and their times remain flexible depending on the projects.

Film Producer

• A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to the film studio or other financing entity, while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed. Many film producers also obtain competency in other fields (directors, screenwriters, actors) but that is not always the case.

• The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a film project. A producer begins by obtaining the rights to create or co-create a feature-length screenplay. The producer oversees the process, which includes coordinating, supervising and controlling major aspects of the project. This includes fundraising and hiring key roles such as the casting director or film director. They'll also influence the hiring of other personnel such as the UPM or line producer and accountant.

Sound Engineer

• An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist, recording engineer, sound engineer, sound operator, or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds.

• The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including electronics, acoustics, psychoacoustics, and music. An audio technician is proficient with different types of recording media, such as analog tape, digital multitrack recorders and workstations, and computer knowledge.

• Audio engineers come from backgrounds such as fine arts, broadcasting, music or electronics. Many colleges and accredited institutions around the world offer degrees in audio engineering, such as a BSc in audio production.

Games Developer

• A video game developer is a software developer business or individual which creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console (such as Nintendo's Wii U, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3), or may develop for a number of systems (including personal computers).

• Video-game developers specialize in certain types of games (such as role-playing video games or first-person shooters). Some focus on porting games from one system to another, or translating games from one language to another. Less commonly, some do other kinds of software-development work in addition to games.

Costume Designer

• A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person who designs costumes for a film or stage production. This role is an important part of the production team. The costume designer works alongside the director, scenic, lighting designer, sound designer, and other creative personnel. The costume designer may also collaborate with hair stylist, wig master, or makeup artist. In European theatre, the role is different, as the theatre designer usually designs both costume and scenic elements.

• Costume designers typically seek to enhance a character's personality, and to create an evolving plot of colour, changing social status, or period through the visual design of garments and accessories. They may distort or enhance the body within the boundaries of the director's vision. The designer must ensure that the designs let the actor move as the role requires.

Casting Agent

• A casting agency works as the middleman between talent/modeling agencies and clients searching for people to fit their projects. Models and actors are notified by their agencies or by the casting agency themselves (if they are freelance) about upcoming casting and opportunities, which they are able to audition for. Many casting agencies provide the space for the casting and auditions to take place and handle the correspondence between both parties.

Screen Writer • A screenwriter or scriptwriter or scenario writer is a writer who practices the craft

of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media such as films, television programs, comics or video games are based.

• Screenwriting is a freelance profession. No education is required to become a professional screenwriter, just good storytelling abilities and imagination. Screenwriters are not hired employees, they are contracted freelancers. Most, if not all, screenwriters start their careers writing on speculation (spec), meaning they write without being hired or paid for it. When such a script is sold, it is called a spec script. What separates a professional screenwriter from an amateur screenwriter is that professional screenwriters are usually represented by a talent agency. Also, professional screenwriters do not work for free often, an amateur will often work for free and are considered writers "in training". Spec scripts are usually penned by unknown professional screenwriters and amateur screenwriters. There are a legion of would-be screenwriters who attempt to enter the film industry but it often takes years of trial-and-error, failure, and gritty persistence to achieve success.

Radio Host• A radio personality (also known as a radio host or a radio presenter) is a person

with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather, sports, or traffic information.

• The radio personality may broadcast live or use voice-tracking techniques.

Advertising • Advertising is a form of communication for marketing and used to encourage or persuade

an audience (viewers, readers or listeners. Sometimes a specific group, to continue or take some new action. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behaviour with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common. The purpose of advertising may also be to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful. Advertising messages are usually paid for by sponsors and viewed via various traditional media; including mass media such as newspaper, magazines, television commercial, radio advertisement, outdoor advertising or direct mail; or new media such as blogs, websites or text messages.

• Commercial advertisers often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding," which involves associating a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. Non-commercial advertisers who spend money to advertise items other than a consumer product or service include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Nonprofit organizations may rely on free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement (PSA).

Location Scout • Location scouting is a vital process in the pre-production stage of filmmaking and

commercial photography. Once scriptwriters, producers or directors have decided what general kind of scenery they require for the various parts of their work that is shot outside of the studio, the search for a suitable place or "location" outside the studio begins. Location scouts also look for generally spectacular or interesting locations beforehand, to have a database of locations in case of requests. Location scouts often negotiate legal access to filming locations.

• Suitability of a location to the task at hand takes into consideration many factors, including amongst others:

• overall aesthetic• financial cost to production• logistic feasibility including but not limited to distance from base of operations or other

locations scheduled• availability of parking and facilities to keep crew and talent (principal actors or models and

extras) safe and dry at all times• availability of electrical power or feasibility of bringing in generators for lights and electrical

equipment.• available light (indoors or outdoors) and weather conditions (outdoors)• permission from and cooperation of location owner and neighbors, local government and

law enforcement• [edit] Work process