Satellite
A communications satellite or Comsat is a man-made satellite which is sent into space and used solely for the transmission telecommunications, such as radio and TV broadcasting. These satellites have a variety of orbits (e.g. Polar and non-polar Earth orbits) and they provide microwave radio relay technology which works effectively with communication cables. The first ever artificial communications satellite (which was produced to enhance global communications) was a balloon named Echo 1 (launched on 12/08/1960 by NASA). It was the first satellite capable of relaying signals to various places on Earth. Without satellite technology we wouldn't be able to do a lot of everyday activities, such as watching certain TV packages. Cable TV providers often use communications satellites to get their signals to the cable wires in your house (e.g. Virgin Media).
The main advantage of satellite technology is that you are able to connect cities across large landmass easily, as using copper or fibre would be very costly and inefficient. However, if satellites break it costs a lot to bring it back down to Earth, fix it and then send it back up.
Sky is a good example of a satellite TV provider, as they provide a wide range of channels through communications satellites.
Cable
Cable refers to TV, Broadband and other services provided by cable distributors, such as BT and Virgin Media. Cable broadband is considered to be far faster than your regular copper-phone-line-cable broadband. In fact you can reach up to speeds of 100 to 120 mbps in certain areas, which is fast! Most people don't have cable broadband however, but it's only available in specific cities in the UK. This also applies to cable TV. Virgin Media provide cable TV services for people in specific areas in the UK. A lot of people are confused as to what the difference between satellite and cable TV is. The difference is in the name - cable TV is transmitted through cable and satellite TV is transmitted through satellite. Satellite TV is available to nearly everyone in the world, unlike cable, but it's heavily dependant on the weather. If the weather is really poor the signal will be really bad and you probably won't be able to watch your TV.
Analogue
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Job Roles
Mia Secker
Management
The producer is identified as a managerial job role, because the producer is responsible for pretty much everything. They oversee everything in the production of a film; therefore without film producers there would be no film industry. The producer has a lot of responsibilities, both creative and technical (such as harnessing the creativity of various individuals in the team to come up with an entertaining storyline and providing financing for the film (through bank loans etc.)) They’re also involved in assisting the director in the actual production, as well as in the post-production stage. In the end, it’s down to the producer to produce a high quality film within the time allotted and within budget. To be a producer you have to be very enthusiastic and hardworking, because the job can be very stressful. Although you don’t have to have a specific set of qualifications to be a producer, in most cases you must have had experience working within the film industry (preferably the production team) prior to working as a producer. There are many film academies that offer training for such a job, such as the BFI’s Film Skills Strategy.
Creative
The hair and makeup department is a good example of a creative job role within the film industry, because they are responsible for "the design, application, continuity and care of hair and makeup during feature film production." Without this department the actors wouldn't look as "perfect" as they should in films (bearing in mind that actors are on set for long periods of time and need to look as nice as they did at the beginning throughout the entire shoot to prevent discontinuity). This is a good job for someone who enjoys drawing and designing patterns, as they can do so on an actor's face (more specifically for aliens and monsters in Sci-Fi films). As a makeup artist you may be expected to have your own utensils and such for the job, although I imagine that specific makeup will be provided. Entry requirements include relevant practical experience as a makeup artist to show that you are capable of the job. This could include a college course, such as: “Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up”.
Editorial
Editorial job roles include any member of the post-production crew. For example, an editor would responsible for piecing the raw footage together. However, there are far more processes involved in the post production stage, including: "picture editing, sound editing, composing and recording the score, music editing, adding visual special effects, adding audio sound effects such as Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), Foley (Post-synchronized sound effects), sound design, sound mixing, colour grading, titles design, and negative cutting." Therefore there are many jobs within this section of film. A film editor would need to be efficient and independent, working to deadlines and meeting the criteria of the producer/ production company. However, certain types of editor (e.g. magazine editor) can work from home if they desire. Film editors need to work side by side with the director in some situations though, so that they know exactly how to edit the film. To be an editor you do need more specific qualifications than that of the producer or makeup artist, because you need to know how to use specific software (whether that be Photoshop or Premiere etc.) A Higher National Diploma would be a suitable qualification to be an editor.
Technical
The role of the cameraman is considered to be quite technical, because they have to be able to use the equipment required extensively. This includes more than just the camera; equipment such as tripods, cranes, dollies etc. has to be set up by the cameraman and/or similar personnel. The cameraman also has to be able to mimic the thoughts of the director. They have to know when the director wants to zoom in or out or pan etc. As a result, the cameraman and director tend to have quite a close relationship (more so in single camera productions). Most films require multiple cameramen and the director can't stand beside all of them, so they have to know what to do and when to do it. Cameramen need good common sense. As long as you can demonstrate that you know how to use a specific camera, you may not need a specific qualification, but some production companies may want to see previous work etc. to see how fluid you are with a camera.
Freelance
Freelance refers to a person working for him or herself. For example, a freelance photographer could choose when to and where to work, as well as how many hours per week they want to dedicate to photography. Those who work as freelance photographers/ video makers etc. work for a wide range of clients. A photographer may be hired to take photos at a wedding for so much money. Most of the time freelancers are paid for each piece/ job, therefore one wedding of photo taking = £££. Freelance is an easier way of getting into the TV and film industry, as it doesn’t require any qualifications, only skill which can be self-taught. It also means that people of all ages can freelance (e.g. I’m 17 and I’ve done freelance work). Freelance is also appropriate for a person with a family, as they can dictate when they want to work and when they want to spend time with their family. However, freelancers are required to advertise their own services (via websites and posters etc.), making it difficult to attract jobs. You won’t have a steady pay cheque either, because it’ll all depend on how many clients you have per month, which can make it difficult to work freelance only.
Ellie Curtis
Research
Researchers work across all genres of television production, including news, sport, current affairs, documentaries and factual programmes, light entertainment, children’s, situation comedies and soaps, they are also the fact checkers and ‘brief’writers for on screen presenters. They must understand and work within relevant legislations and regulations they also can be freelance.
During preliminary telephone or face-to-face interviews, they assess contributors’potential suitability for inclusion in each programme according to its genre and format. They check contributors’ availability and arrange for their appearance within time and budgetary limits. Researchers may also be required to prepare production materials for external use, including fact sheets, pamphlets, books and booklets to accompany productions, and publicity material such as production billings, press releases, related websites, and text pages.
Organizational
They work on television drama, drama-documentaries and continuing drama productions, they research and assess suitable locations, negotiate contracts and payments, and present their findings to producers and other decision maker. They oversee all logistical aspects of the location during shooting. The hours are long and they may be required to spend considerable periods working away from base. They usually work on a freelance basis.
Location managers must carry comprehensive location kits containing maps, dust sheets, high viability waistcoats, cleaning materials and equipment etc. during production they are usually the first to arrive on set in the morning and the last to arrive in the evening, they are on set most of the time, helping to avoid any misunderstandings and liaising between the crew and the location owners about any special requirements, e.g. if a door needs to be removed or a light fitting moved at the end of each shooting day they ensure that the location is left clean and tidy condition they also oversee the safe and secure overnight parking of all production vehicles.
Financial
Production Manager they work across all genres in television production including documentaries, current affairs, light entertainment, children and also soaps. They’re responsible for production scheduling and also budgeting, they assist producers to interpret and realize the directors’ vision, both financially and logistically, The Production Manager, as the key person in the Production department, must liaise closely with all other Heads of Department to ensure that productions run smoothly, meet deadlines, and stay within budgets. Production Managers closely monitor schedules and budgets throughout shoots, preparing daily report sheets for Producers, detailing all aspects of each day's shoot. Production Managers must be able to deal with any contingencies during pre-production and shooting, and prepare workable alternative plans. They oversee all aspects of the day to day running of shoots, from contract preparation to all Health and Safety requirements, and work closely with members of all other production departments, actors, and other contributors. They report directly to Producers.
Administrative
In television Directors work across all genres, including news, sport, documentaries, current affairs, light entertainment, children's programmes, situation comedies, soaps or serial dramas, or one-off dramas. These programmes may be either transmitted live, recorded as live, or pre-recorded in any multi camera environment in studios or during Outside Broadcasts (OBs), or shot on single or multi camera film or tape shoots and edited in post production.
Directors work closely with Producers and/or Writers, embellishing, refining and ultimately realizing original ideas into finished programmes. They make careful preparations in order to ensure the success of each shoot. Directors must have a clear creative vision of the project, and what materials are required to achieve it. They should not shoot endless footage, which may be useful, but prepare a carefully calculated shooting schedule, which provides the required footage within budget and to deadlines. Within those parameters they should also be able to contribute creatively to projects. So that they can construct productions with logic and integrity, particularly in drama, Directors should understand the significance of scenes and how they fit into the overall programme structure, as well as knowing what is happening within each scene as it is shot.
(Website: www.creativeskillset.org used in work above)
Piece work that relates to working patterns is when someone e.g. Photographer, film maker is payed commission for some project or other piece of work that will be displayed on tv or a website this means that the client will pay the person just for that one job or several but payed in advanced at a fixed rate never mind how long it takes.
Piece work originated in the guild system of work during what people call the commercial revolution, there is a certain way to calculate how piece work is given if you dived it by 1.2 and then by the hourly wage you get a fair rate.
The advantages of piece work is that not only is it motivational it is also cost effective it ensure the worker gets the product done as quick and simple
The disadvantages are the concept is one dimensional the worker may become dishearted at the idea of getting payed upfront.
Kayleigh Fletcher
shift work
There are many different types of shift work, from weekend shifts, night shifts, semi continuous and twilight to evening shifts.
Weekend shifts is when you are working about 12 hours every day (saturday and sunday) Rotating between days and nights. There can be disadvantages to working weekend shifts as you can’t make plans on a weekend, however there can be advantages as you are doing 24 hours each week, which can work out to be roughly the same as a normal weeks wage.
nights shifts consist of working from roughly 10:00pm to 6:00am, this can cover up to 120 hours in total a week. Meal breaks are frequent but don’t get usually get paid for these.
semi continuous shifts is normally 8 hour based, you can have a pattern working of 12 hours possibly over 5 days, but this is very uncommon, so you are doing 8-12 hour shifts based upon an average of 36 hours a week, you will normally work 6 days (144 hours) by doing 8-12 hour shifts.
twilight to evening shifts consist of 4-5 days a week, from 5.00pm to 9:00pm. Reported to be a highly productive working structure probably because the shifts are short and the population motivated. This can be shown from working day to night.
http://workingtime-solutions.com/leaner/shift-patterns/
Office hours consist of working monday to friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, normally working office hours you would get paid salary, which is monthly. This can be a disadvantage because if you work over time you may not necessarily get paid for it, However there are many advantages of working office hours as you would normally have the weekend free so you can make plans and do what you want. Some examples of people who work office times can be an editor or researcher (anyone in the pre-production stage).
irregular patterns consists of when you are needed to work, for example if you are a technician and you set up a server, the only time you will ever need to really come in is if the server isn’t working or is down. Another example of this can be if you are having a day off, but someone has called in sick/been sent home then you will be called in to cover their shift.
Hourly rates is when you get paid by the hour. So if you have worked 6 hours, you will get paid for those 6 hours you have worked. There is many advantages to this as if you are sick and you have to go home but you have worked 4:30 hours, you can hang on for the last half an hour to make sure you get paid a full wage for 5 hours. Some examples of jobs you can get paid hourly for can be an editor and researcher.
Working fixed term means that you work for up to 6 months or each season. This means you would work a long period of time. An example of someone who works fixed term could be a producer and actors.
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