In this article, I will be discussing the different roles within the Film and Animation industry, as well as the skills required for roles and how to improve on them. I will also be discussing the importance of networking in the media industry and showing examples of job roles available in the UK in film production and film editing.
Job Roles:-
Director
Job Roles:-
Director
Directors are the driving creative force in a film's production - visualising and defining the style and structure of the film, then bringing it to life.
Producer
Producers are responsible for all aspects of a film's production, putting together a creative and talented cast and crew, and turning story ideas into profitable films.
Actor
Actors interpret others' words in order to bring a script to life, and to put flesh and blood on characters through performances.
Some are also expected to be able to sing and dance for some roles.
Assistant Director
Assistant Directors are the Director's right-hand person/people and aid the director do his role in anyway possible.
Associate/Assistant Producer
Associate Producers are usually individuals within production companies who have played a significant role in the development of the script or screenplay.
They may also have helped in the packaging process or contributed important creative ideas to the production.
Sometimes they are a Producer or a senior Script Editor who helps with the final drafts of the screenplay and without whom the film may not be financed.
Sound Designer
Sound designers are responsible for creating and recording sound for a film.
Sound Editor
Sound Editors take the audio from footage, scores, background noise and sound effects and put them into the correct place and adjust levels so they mix well together and other sounds can be heard more clearly than others.
They edit the all sounds needed in post production to add a type of atmosphere/feeling to a film.
Stunt Performer
Stunt Performers carry out supervised stunts and take Actors' places when dangerous or specialised actions are specified in the script.
Concept Artist
Concept Artists produce the illustrations that help Production Designers realise their vision.
Storyboard Artist
Storyboard Artists draw a series of pictures to represent a script or screenplay.
Production Manager
Production Managers make sure the production runs smoothly for the Producer and Line Producer.
Script Writer
Screenwriters research and develop story ideas and write screenplays.
Casting Director
Casting Directors organise the casting (selecting) of Actors for all roles in a film.
Editor
Film Editors work closely with the Director to craft the finished film.
Camera Operator
Camera Operators prepare and operate the camera and all its equipment, working with the Director and Director of Photography.
Location Manager
Location Managers find ideal locations for a film shoot and negotiate fees, terms and permissions.
Costume Designer
Costume Designers are in charge of designing, creating, acquiring and hiring all costumes for Actors and extras
Make-up and Hair Artist.
Make-up and Hair Artists create make-ups and hairstyles to meet production requirements and oversee make-up and hair continuity.
Extras/Walk on and Supporting Artists
Walk On and Supporting Artists provide background action on film and television productions.
Model Maker
Model Makers design, create and produce 3D scale models and miniatures for use on film productions.
Cross-overs and Multi-skilling:-
In a lot film and animation productions, particularly on lower-budget productions, have roles with transferable skills. This means that people may be expected to do more than one job role or they have the skills/knowledge/experience to do more than one job role, this is known as cross-overs or multi-skilling. For example, a sound designer may also do the sound mixing on a film.
An example in the Film industry of cross-over and multi-skilling is Joss Whedon and his work on Avengers: Age of Ultron. Joss, who has a lot of experience in TV and film production, both directed and wrote the screenplay for the film and many of the other projects he has done, including Avengers Assemble. This type of multi-skilling can really aid in a film production because a director can present a first draft of a screenplay in their pitch to direct a film to a studio, making studios more trusting of the director. This is because the director can take their vision for a film and bring it to life and that can translate well on screen, showing passion, instead of turning someone else's vision into a film which could lack that passion or be translated poorly.
Another example, which is happening a lot more in recent years, is when actors develop and also produce and direct films. A great example is Ben Affleck, who started in the film industry as an actor, has since progressed into a director and his film "Argo" won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2013. Actors have a lot of experience working with producers and directors on film sets so they have opportunity to ask for guidance on these areas, but also, having a director who is also an actor can really help the performances of actors in a film. This is because they know how to get the best acting out of their actors, as they can relate to them, having been directed and have acted before.
Professional Development:-
This also can be linked to Professional Development, which is where workers in the media industries have to develop skills and experience in the industry, all while tackling obstacles that could face them. Having up-to-date skills and knowledge is vital, particularly in a modern world with advances in technology largely influencing film making. For example, if you are a film editor who has most used the software Avid for editing movies, then you should also be knowledgeable of other editing softwares in case you get hired on a new project where you're required to use Adobe Premiere instead. However, it can be difficult to find the time to learn the features of different softwares and for other people in other roles to develop skills. With actors, if they don't have time to attend acting classes, they can gain knowledge from other actors that they work with and gain knowledge through experience with each film they do.It is hugely important to build knowledge and skills because employers will see your determination and commitment to progress and are more likely to employ you compared to someone with a short list of skills and experience. This means that the more work you achieve, the more work you will potentially receive.
Self Promoting and Marketing:-
If you are successful within your role in the industry, people will begin to recognise your work and have more trust in your name. Because of this, networking and meeting people in the industry is important no matter what job role you have. This is because, the more connections you have, the more likely you are to get a job on projects, and you gain more validity in your job role.
So, it is useful to self promote and market. If you work on getting your stamp within the industry, there will be more job opportunities, you will have more connections and influence within the film industry.
Having said that, this process can take a lot of time and financial resources. It could take years building up a resume and contacts before being able to work on a big budget film. It can be made easier if a big name in the industry is a fan of your work and will help build connection with you. However, this does not happen the majority of the time.
Job Search:-
Film Editing:
The first job advertisement I found was for an Avid Editor from http://goo.gl/hRp8zc. The job would involve me working closely with the director, using the software Avid, to cut and edit the film to the final finished product. It may also require me to work with others and even run a team of editing assistants.
For this job I will need a lot of experience with working with the Avid editing software, and previous experience with editing videos. This can come from a qualification in film production or from hands-on experience on previous productions.
The job is based in West London, England and is a full time contract. There is no rate of pay stated but this could be based off of previous experience and you can suggest a preferred salary.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and you will be later contacted if they feel you are right for the role.
The second job advertisement I found was, again, for an Avid Editor from http://goo.gl/SePuZr. Similarly to the last role, the job would involve me working closely with the director - this time stating that it would be specifically for post production work, using the software Avid, to cut and edit the film to the final finished product. It may also require me to work with others and even run a team of editing assistants.
For this job I will need a lot of experience with working with the Avid editing software, and previous experience with editing videos. This can come from a qualification in film production or from hands-on experience on previous productions. This advertisement also states that I would need skills with “Reality”, a software for software and web development and internet marketing. This skill would also come from experience with the software.
The job is based in West-Central London, England and is a full time contract. There is no rate of pay stated but this could be based off of previous experience and you can suggest a preferred salary.
To apply, you will have to fill in the application form provided with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and if you are successful, you will be contacted.
The third job advertisement I found was for Animator/Editor from http://goo.gl/2rYVvW. This job will require more tasks than the previous two jobs. This is because it includes “Animator” which, in this case, means creating motion graphics and animated infographics as part of the post production editing for commercial films, as well as the other responsibilities mentioned for the other editor roles and working closely with the Production Manager.
For this job I will need a lot of experience with working with softwares that are part of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Adobe Premiere - another professional video editing software, and previous experience creating special effects (SFX) for film. This can come from a qualification in film production or from hands-on experience using these softwares and techniques on previous productions and personal projects.
The job is based in East-Central London, England and is a permanent, full time contract with a salary of £25,000 annually.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and you will be later contacted if they feel you are right for the role.
The next job advertisement I found was for Adobe Premiere Editors from http://goo.gl/TbdttA. This job will require me to use the software Adobe Premiere to cut and edit the film to the final finished product for a number of outsourced companies.
For this job I will need at least 5 years of experience with working with softwares that are part of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Adobe Premiere, focussing of after effects. This can come from a qualification in film production or from hands-on experience using these softwares and techniques on previous productions and personal projects.
The job is based across the UK and is full time.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and if you are a successful candidate, you will be contacted.
The final job advertisement a role involving film editing that I found was for Drama Editors from http://goo.gl/rWmRT8. This job will require me to working closely with directors to cut and edit the film to the final finished product for a Drama.
For this job I will need previous experience of editing scripted dramas/fictions either on Film or TV. that are part of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Adobe Premiere, focussing of after effects. This can come from a qualification in film production or from hands-on experience using these softwares and techniques on previous productions and personal projects.
It is an East London based full time contracted role. To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and you will be later contacted directly, if you are successful.
Film Production:
The first job advertisement I found for Film Production was for a Production Runner from http://goo.gl/kHPpWL. The job would involve me working on set, in the office and on location, helping out with the production wherever I can.
For this job I do not need a lot of experience working of film sets and production and being a runner is usually the starting points for many people wanting to pursue a career in film production
The job is based in North East England and is a full time contract as part of a production crew but there is no rate of pay stated.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV.
The second job advertisement I found was for a Production Assistant from http://goo.gl/et9N2W .The job would involve me working on set, in the office and on location, helping producers with any tasks to ensure a smoother production for a film.
For this job I do not need a lot of experience working of film sets and production but most production assistants have previous work on them, usually starting as a runner.
The job is based in London, England and is a full time contract as part of a production crew but there is no rate of pay stated.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV.
The third job advertisement I found was for a Producer’s Assistant from http://goo.gl/bl6BY5. The job would involve me working on set, in the office and on location, helping a producer or an executive producer with any key tasks they may set for me to ensure a smoother production for a film.
For this job I wouldn’t need a lot of experience working of film sets and production but most production assistants have had previous work on set and working with producers, usually beginning as a runner.
The job is based in Wales and is a full time contract as part of a production crew. No rate of pay stated.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV.
The next job advertisement I found was for a Post Producer from http://goo.gl/zGoEY2. The job would involve me overseeing the final stages of the film, approving funding, as well as gathering all the necessary equipment, materials and post production team need to finalised a film.
For this job I would need a lot of experience working with financing and managing post productions. This experience is preferred to have come from previous similar productions, as well as commercial productions.
The job is based in London, England and is a temporary, freelance full time contract. No rate of pay stated.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV and you will be contacted if successful for the position.
The last job advertisement I found was for a Production Coordinator/Manager from http://goo.gl/oH836W. The job would involve me managing the budget of productions, scheduling shoots, hiring production crew and kit and to make the production run as smoothly as possible for the producers.
For this job, I need at least 3 previous credits in entertainment production management, working with financing organising.
The job is based in London, England and is a full time contract. No rate of pay stated.
To apply you need to fill in the application form with your personal and contact details as well as upload a CV. If you are successful, you will be contacted.
