UNIT 8.2- JOB ROLES IN THE CREATIVE MEDIA INDUSTRY

COSTUME DESIGNERSJob Area- Creative

Working Pattern- An experienced costume designer could negotiate a consultancy contract on a freelance basis.

About the job- Costume designers break down scripts scene by scene, in order to work out how many characters are

involved, and what costumes are required. They develop costume plots for each character, research into the costume styles,

designs and construction methods which are appropriate for the productions' time period, ensure that accurate financial

records are kept, and that weekly expenditure reports are produced. They prepare overall production schedules, as well as

directing the day-to-day breakdowns of responsibilities. They supervise fabric research and purchase, and ensure that

garments are completed to deadlines.

Skills needed-

You will need:

•To be creative, have a good imagination and excellent design skills.

•To have good communication skills and organisation skills.

•To have good research skills and knowledge of costume history and fashion.

•To have good garment production skills.

•To have a full EU driving licence, as travel is often required

Examples: Adrian Adolph Greenberg was an American costume designer for films such as The Wizard Of Oz, Adrian was

hired by Rudolph Valentino's wife Natacha Rambova to design costumes for A Sainted Devil in 1924. He would also design

for Rambova's film, What Price Beauty? (1925). Adrian became head costume designer for Cecil B. DeMille's independent

film studio. In 1928, Cecil B. DeMille moved temporarily to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Adrian was hired as chief costume

designer at the studio. While DeMille eventually returned to Paramount, Adrian stayed on at MGM. In his career at that

studio, Adrian designed costumes for over 200 films.

SOUND ENGINEERJob Area- Technical

Working Pattern- Freelance

About the job- Sound engineers confer with producers, performers, and others in order to determine and achieve the desired sound for a

production such as a musical recording or a film, mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for pre-

recorded events, using sound mixing boards, record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment,

regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles, reproduce, duplicate sound recordings from

original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment and separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, then

combine sounds later during the mixing or post-production stage, keep logs of recordings, prepare for recording sessions by performing

activities such as selecting and setting up microphones and report equipment problems, and ensure that required repairs are made.

Skills needed-

You will need:

To have excellent aural skills;

To have scrupulous attention to detail;

To have general technical ability, dexterity and agility;

To have a good sense of timing and swift reactions.

Example: Andrew Brook Jackson is a British recording engineer best known for his work with the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd.

He is also the owner and operator of Tube Mastering, a private studio specializing in recorded music mastering.

He was originally trained in the profession by producer/engineer James Guthrie at Utopia Studios and serving as his assistant for several

years, Jackson began work as an engineer for Pink Floyd in 1980, assisting in the recording of the performances of The Wall at Earls Court.

CAMERA OPERATORJob Area- Technical

Working Pattern- Full Time

About the Job- Camera operators have to operate a range of different cameras such as single cameras, multi cameras, portable cameras,

remote control cameras, camera cranes and mobile mountings. They have to set up, plan and rehearse scenes. They follow camera scripts

and have to frame and capture the action according to how the director and cinematographer want it.

Skills needed-

You will need:

sound theoretical, practical and technical knowledge of cameras

the ability to frame and compose shots

the ability to perform camera moves accurately

interpersonal and communication skills

the ability to multi-task and take direction from others

team working skills and the ability to lead and motivate others

tact and diplomacy

the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines

flexibility

creativity

patience

attention to detail

Example- Chris Haarhoff is a great example of a camera operator. He has worked as a camera operator in a number of films such as

Bridesmaids, X-men: The Last Stand and The Green Hornet.

JOURNALISTJob Area- Creative

Working Pattern- Permanent

About the Job-Newspaper journalists research and write stories for national, regional and local press. As well as news and

politics, they report on sports, arts and culture, science and business. They also cover national and local events, entertainment

and human interest stories.

Skills Needed-

You will need:

To be able to interview people in a range of different circumstances

To be able to build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council,

community groups health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc.

To be able to seek out and investigate stories via your contacts, press releases and other media

To attend press conferences and ask questions

To attend a variety of events, such as council meetings, magistrates' court proceedings, football matches, talent contests,

etc.

To be able to answer the phones on the news desk and react to breaking news stories

To work closely with the news team, photographers and editors

GAMES DEVELOPERJob Area- Technical (Could also be classed as creative)

Working Pattern- On completion

About the Job-Games developers are involved in the creation and production of games that range from computer, handheld,

console and arcade games to games on the internet, mobile phones and other wireless game applications. Their work involves

either design (including art and animation) or programming.

Skills Need-

You will need:

To develop designs and/or initial concept designs for games including game play

To generate game scripts and storyboards

To create the visual aspects of the game at the concept stage

To use 2D or 3D modelling and animation software, such as Maya, at the production stage

To produce the audio features of the game, such as the character voices, music and sound effects

To programming the game using programming languages such as C++

To quality testing games in a systematic and thorough way to find problems or bugs and recording precisely where the problem

was discovered

To solve complex technical problems that occur within the game’s production

To disseminating knowledge to colleagues, clients, publishers and gamers

To understand complex written information, ideas and instructions

To work closely with team members to meet the needs of a project

BROADCAST PRESENTERJob Area-Creative and Technical

Working Pattern-Part Time/ Full Time

About the Job- A broadcast presenter is the public face - or voice - of programmes broadcast on television, radio and the

internet. They work on a variety of platforms including national, regional, satellite and cable television, online or radio, but

their role is always to entertain and inform their audiences by presenting information and/or entertainment in an accessible

and attractive way.

Skills Needed-

You will need:

excellent communication and presentation skills

performance skills and a clear voice

personable and interesting appearance, especially for visual broadcasts

a broad range of interests, including current affairs

good research and interviewing skills

confidence and the ability to sell yourself

an awareness of media law

the ability to take the initiative and make quick decisions under pressure

team-working skills

creativity and problem-solving skills

PRODUCTION DESIGNERJob Area-Creative

Working Pattern- Most production designers work as freelancers and so an important part of their work is

marketing their skills and experience, making contacts and briefing agents.

About the Job-Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theatre

production. They realise a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and

costumes, while working closely with the director and producer.

Skills Needed-

You will need:

a flair for generating original creative ideas and the ability to present them to others

the ability to communicate ideas through technical drawing and model making

a good working knowledge of the visual arts and production processes

a critical view of film, television or theatre, and familiarity with the work of specific designers

persistence to follow-up leads and gain work

Example- Ken Adam is an example of a production designer and has worked as one in many different

films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Addams Family Values and The-Out-of-Towners.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHYJob Area-Creative

Working Pattern-Freelance

About the Job-Directors of photography must discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source

material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc. They realise the desired look using lighting, framing, camera

movement, etc. 

Skills Needed-

You will need:

artistic vision;

creativity and precise attention to detail;

good colour vision;

ability to give and to accept direction;

excellent communication skills;

diplomacy and tact when working with cast and crew;

knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

Example- John Toll has worked as the director of photography in many films such as Braveheart, The Adjustment Bureau and

currently working on Iron Man 3.

PRODUCERJob Area-Management

About the Job-Producers are the main players in the television, film and video industries. A producer will

oversee each project from conception to completion and may also be involved in the marketing and

distribution processes. Some of the roles they will have to complete are, raising funding, reading,

researching and assessing ideas and finished scripts, commissioning writers or securing the rights to

novels, plays or screenplays, building and developing a network of contacts, liaising and discussing projects

with financial backers.

Skills Needed-

You will need:

strong communication and people skills

strong time and resource management skills

creative ability

the ability to cope under pressure

a strong head for figures

leadership skills

Example- Drew Barrymore was the producer in films such as Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Our House and

The Perfect Catch.