Careers Booklet

Task 1

Below are 5 qualities I believe that I have that would be useful for employees, and three reasons that back up that quality: 

1.  Work Independently

• I find in class I complete work better when I am alone than in a group, groups can sometimes distract me.

•  I had to make a documentary by myself for media and I found it easier making it by myself instead of when I had to make one in a small group.

•   I can sort out and corrects mistakes easier by myself than having other try and put there ideas forward aswell.

2. Confident 

• I can talk to a group of people easily without becoming anxious or forgetful (as long as I have prepared my speech, talk etc..)

• If I have an idea which I am confident about I can back it up and not back down.

• I did GCSE Drama in High-school and I passed this subject, this shows that I am confident in front of a crowd whilst performing 

3. I.T (Computer Skills)

• I have basic knowledge and skills in Premiere Pro

• I also have basic knowledge and skills in Photoshop 

• I completed a basic computer skills course at GCSE level in High-school (Aida)

4. Camera Skills

• I studied Media in College, In this subject I had many chances to work with camera, and to learn about the best angles and types of scenery to shoot good footage in. 

• I also had a chance to make various films/videos in High-school during Drama and Aida.

• I use to make a few short films in my younger years of high-school for a 'YouTube' account me and my friend made.

• I helped a camera crew to film at the PGA Golf Tour at Wentworth Golf club with SKY.

5. Team Worker

• Although I prefer to work independently I can still work in a team well.

• I had to think up an idea/story for me and a group to act out in Drama in High-school  

• During my media course in college I had to work with different groups to produce different types of videos e.g awareness video, advert etc..

Task 2

I work part time with my dad, I clean, fix, and help run our properties which are rented out to various tenants, these houses are situated in Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

I am a full time student at 'East Norfolk Sixth Form College' in Gorleston, I studied in my first year Maths GCSE, Psychology GCSE and a Media BTEC. In my second year I am hoping to complete my second year of my Media BTEC and another subject which I am currently undecided about. 

I hope to carry on to University after college but I don't know what I am going to be studying.

Task 3

Below are 3 jobs which I would be interested in within the Media:

Production Runner:

Industry: Film

Job details:

• Working in the office, around the set and on location
• Dealing with varied office admin tasks 

• Dealing with a range jobs on locations

To do this role, you will need to: 

• Be flexible and well organised
• Be able to think on your feet
• Have good communication skills
• Be able to take orders
• Be tactful and diplomatic
• Be punctual
• Be enthusiastic
• Be able to work calmly and effectively under pressure 
• Have good IT skills
• Have good organisational and administrative skills
• Be able to work without supervision
• Be versatile and a willing to learn
• Be aware of relevant health and safety laws and procedures

Best Route In:

Start out by getting some experience in film, drama or broadcasting. It can be in amateur dramatics, student radio or film making, shorts or community media. This will put you in a better position to apply for work as a Production Runner, as there is a lot of competition for jobs despite the low pay.  

This is a good entry-level role into the film industry. You can make valuable contacts and may progress to a trainee position or another role in the Production Office.

Qualifications:  

You don’t need a specific qualification, but a good education is an advantage. You will also need a full, clean EU driving licence.

Camera Operator (Portable Single Camera):

Industry: TV

Job details: 

• Supporting the Director of Photography and the Director with shot composition and development on high budget productions 
• Being responsible for all aspects of camera preparation and operation

To do this role, you will need to:  

• have artistic ability and be able to offer creative input
• have good colour vision, and excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination
• have a strong affinity with technology, knowledge of the relevant electronics and an in-depth knowledge of the principles of camera work
• have good communication skills and show diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists, production staff and crew
• be able to take direction and work as part of a team, particularly on multi-camera shoots
• be able to carry out instructions with great accuracy and attention to detail
• be able to frame and compose shots and perform camera moves with precision and speed
• have good IT skills
• possess physical stamina for working long hours and moving heavy equipment
• understand the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures

Best Route In:

Intensive industry experience is the best route into this role, having gained a grounding in the basic camera skills and knowledge required. You could begin your career as a Camera Assistant, and then work your way up through the ranks of the camera department over several years.

Qualifications:  

You do not need a specific qualification to work in this role. Instead, you would usually learn the practical skills required through hands-on experience on the job. That said, continuing professional development is vital, especially as camera technology changes rapidly.

Basic stills photography, which develops visual and composition skills, also provides a useful starting point in training for this role.

In addition, the Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media could allow you to gain camera skills on the job. Again, the Creative Skillset Tick has been awarded to some apprenticeship programmes that provide the meet the highest standard of industry-relevant training.

Sound Recordist:

Industry: TV 

Job details: 

• Recording sound on location or in a studio, usually in synchronisation with the camera, to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming

To do this role, you will need to:

• be a strong team player - many of the skills needed in this role involve working as a team as efficiently and effectively as possible
• be willing and able to compromise
• be able to think creatively to solve problems created by particular locations or situations
• pay close attention to detail and concentrate for long periods
• have good knowledge of audio equipment and sound technology
• have knowledge of the television production process, including camera and lighting techniques
• have knowledge of management and licensing of radio transmission systems
• have excellent hearing
• have excellent balance, agility and a good sense of timing
• have good communication skills, including diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists and crew members
• be patient, self-disciplined and reliable
• have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health & safety legislation and procedures

Best Route In:

The best way to start your career in sound is to develop and demonstrate an interest in, and enthusiasm for sound. You can do this by exploring, experimenting and learning about audio technology and its capabilities. 

Your first steps into the industry will normally be in a trainee role. On-the-job training or shadowing of more experienced personnel is the best way to learn. 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.

Qualifications: 

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

Courses are available throughout the UK, from HND to degree level in sound technology, audio engineering, acoustics and music recording. 

You will need to develop your skills throughout your career as television sound technology and techniques are constantly changing.

Information from: http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles

Task 4

Below are the different forms of recruitment:

National Press: 

National press is a method of recruitment where job applications are put into newspapers such as the guardian or the times so that people reading these newspapers will see these adverts and if interested will go forward for the job.

Trade Press: 

Trade press is associated for a certain area of expertise, for example journalists will have there own newspapers with certain things to write about and report on, and actors will have a newspaper which will relate to them such as new acting parts. Overall its is just a more specific type of jobs in each different paper instead of lots of different types of job in one newspaper like in national press.

Internet: 

Jobs can be advertised on the internet, you can access these adverts from various websites such as http://www.ideastap.com/opportunities/jobs, these will allow you to access specific and a wide range of jobs. 

Trade Fairs: 

Trade fairs are large gatherings of lots of different companies which each have a designated stall where they pitch there jobs and have adverts up so that you know what you're going for, this is a good way if you want to speak to the actual employers instead of reading the advert. An example of a trade fair is 'ShowWest Trade Show' this is a trade fair held in Las Vegas

Word of Mouth:

Word of mouth is basically hearing of a job from your friends or somewhere else, this is not necessarily the most formal or the correct way but you can here about lots of different jobs.  

Personal Contacts:

Personal contacts are people who you already know in the industry who can offer you jobs or tell you about them before other people know, this is a good way to get in quick before a large number of other people apply. 

Internal Promotion:

An internal promotion is a job promotion/upgrade within a company that you are already in, for example if you work well your boss may promote you to a better job because you show you work well and are reliable, or because of another outstanding quality. 


CV

Cover Letter

Task 6 

Portfolios: These are work which someone has gathered over a certain amount of time, they give evidence of what an individual is able to achieve. I have never had to make a portfolio but if I take Graphics next year I will have to produce one with my artwork in showing them I am at a certain standard/level for the course. 

Show reels: These are kind of the same thing as a portfolio, but instead of it being a still image, it consists of a short video showing certain filming skills which may be necessary for a certain  job, media position etc. I have never had to complete one but I may in the future if I am applying for jobs in the media industry.

Personal website: These are anything which an individual has created themselves, They show they're idea using a website. This is usually created in the form of a 'blog', a common example of this is Tumblr, a social networking website or Blogger.

Task 7

Interviewing skills: These are skills such as good listening skills, the use of appropriate language etc. When an individual is in an interview, they should be dressed appropriately for the job, smart or smart-casual. They should also make sure that they don't talk too much during the interview, unless the answer is long but they should keep the answers short and precise, they should always ask the interviewer questions if needed.

Presentation skills: These skills involve making eye contact with the interviewer, learning what is need to be presented, and to make sure the individual is speaking well and confidently. They should always maintain eye contact, this shows that they're confident and not afraid/anxious. =

Self-presentation: This is things such as dress codes, and interpersonal skills, these are skills such as  verbal communication and non-verbal communication, listening skills, negotiation, problem solving, and decision making.When asked to go for an interview etc... it is common sense to dress smart to create a good impression. For a men, some form of suit, or shirt and black trousers should be worn. For a female, a shirt and black trousers is usually the  dress code. 

Task 8 

Training on the job: This is training which takes place during a normal working situation. This type of training comes with advantages as it does not cost as much as off the job training. However, training on the job can cause the individual to pick up bad habits from observing other workers. A good example of these is an apprenticeship 

Self-training: This is simply when someone teaches themselves a certain skill/s. For example, many people like to learn how to use certain programs which are involved in media, like premiere pro, by themselves instead of using tutorials or teachers.

Sources of information: These can be anything between trade unions, sector skills councils, and careers services. Trade unions have great knowledge and are known for protecting the rights and interests of workers. Sector skills councils specializes in helping people in certain jobs. 

Task 9

Media: My English skills have developed through writing large amounts of coursework for my blogger, such as grammar spellings etc. My ICT skills have improved through using the Macintosh Desktops and certain programs which I may not have used before, for example Premiere Pro, After Affects, Blogger, and various other computer related skills along with camera skills and how to manage various files using the computers.