2.1       Explain the working culture of the film industry

Working in the film industry would be hard work, but well paid and enjoyable. I think there are a range of positives and negatives:

Negatives; hours of work; can range from 8 to 12 depending what type of film production you are involved in, meaning long working days that vary, lots of independent travelling, tiredness, pressure due to the heavy responsibility of everyones roles involved in a film production, getting yourself out there can be challenging/gaining connections due to the competitiveness of the industry and the need for original ideas that a number of people have to like, expensive; e.g. production of a film can cost a huge amount of money, and if the head of publishing doesn’t get the right connections and screening opportunities, the money can go to waste.

Working on set can be a stressful job, as you would be responsible for a huge part of the film production e.g. as a sound designer, if the sound isn’t picked up correctly, then it could significantly effect the final outcome and progress of the film, there is always time pressure, especially if working with child actors and hiring equipment/ locations. Although, working on set would be great to get a hands-on experience of making a film, and if everyone collaborates as expected, there will be an effective outcome. As a runner, which is the most realistic job I can expect myself taking on, I would have to be on my feet for hours at a time, working relentlessly and consistently alert to demands, which could include driving off to fetch food, coffees, extra equipment; bearing a big responsibly for the rest of the team in making the production run smoothly.

Positives; meeting new people with the same interests, expressing your creativity on a large, appreciated scale, good annual income, building strong relationships, screening the outcome and gaining publicity, connections, working your way up the job ranks, leading to better pay and more respect, which would all bring a sense of pleasure and enjoyment, resulting in fulfilment for the hard work put in, gaining transferrable skills.

Freelancer Film makers demonstrate the determination and mandatory connections needed to prosper in the film industry, and also the weight of competition in the film industry. Freelancers have to make their own name in the film industry, independent from big corporations and companies/agents, they have to work very hard to get themselves known and screen their films in numerous places to do so. Also, connections are vital for financing and opportunities/ development. However being completely independent could be a good thing in the film industry, as you are less of a liability, but cooperation of many people is always needed to produce a film.What qualities do you need to work in the film industry? (E.g. Showing initiative, taking responsibility, good time management, knowing your specialism)

To work in the film industry, even at Entry-Level jobs, the main qualities needed include; good time management, determination, hard working, good communication skills, good teamwork and leadership skills, problem solving skills and so on. Even ‘soft skills’ are vital like punctuality, being able to work under pressure and in stressful, busy situations, motivation and so on. Transferable skills are also key and can be gained through work as a runner, for example. Also, you must be assured in your specialisations; what area you perform the best in. Furthermore, a good understanding of your ‘drive’; why you want to pursue a career in the film industry, why you are interested in the job and what you aim to get out of it; self-confidence. Self-confidence will also help you communicate your ideas to others and understand others in general, which is vital in any film production.Give reasons for your answers.

I have learnt from my experience in film production and masterclasses that the film industry culture is that it is an intense and competitive culture. Also highly judgemental. Scripts, (the initial Development stage of a film production) have to be judged harshly if they bring a good artistic vision and original ideas, and if the writing is precise and assured, so it can be interpreted well by a director and actors, etc. During the film production, our script had to be edited numerous times and even changing the main storyline as it wasn’t liked by the producer and the people with the power to create it. Everyone on the production team, especially the key roles like director, actor, cameraman, have to be able to communicate if something doesn’t look good and their opinion on how something should be. The competitiveness is shown through pitching ideas, trying to present your film to seem the most interesting, competing with companies to take on your idea and screen them instead of others to get financial gain and development, and so on. Also within the acting side to the film industry, actors are harshly judged on their looks (as well as their abilities, of course) and actresses often face pay gaps with their male colleagues. Through my film production I mainly learnt about how intense the industry is because constant communication is crucial, shooting the film is usually under time pressure against the weather, permits, actors and general tiredness, editing is intense due to the level of responsibility the editor has in making the film an actual film, presenting the film can make a huge difference in connections and general public appreciation.What have you learned about the working culture of the industry from masterclasses and working on your own film production?

2.2       Describe a range of key job roles and responsibilities in the film industry

— The Producer; in control of everything from the idea generation, to the screening of the produced film.

— The Director; in control of the creative, visual side of the film; guides the technical crew, influences casting choices, design, visualises the script and directs the dramatic side to the play. Overall responsible of the successful development of a film.

— The Costume Designer; in control of all the costumes used in a film; designs, creates the costumes suitably for the actor and the film’s artistic vision.

— The Casting Director; responsibility for the full cast of a film; organises auditions, decides on which actors to employ and which particular roles, sorts out the actors’ contracts and fees. Acts as a ‘liaison’ between the director, actors and their agents.

— The Distributor; Responsible for the marketing of a film; important role for financing a film, ‘sustaining a global product’.

All roles work together in the film-making process because production is a communal process. The producer is constantly involved and acts as the ‘boss’; employs the director, who oversees the costume designer, casting director and distributor and possibly even advising them on their roles and helping their decisions. All of the later are employed by the producer, but the producer relies on all the different jobs to make the film e.g. the distributor allows the producer’s film to be supported in the market and therefore shown and published in numerous places, possibly leading to huge popularity and success.

2.3       Outline the potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector

Apprenticeships; production assistants are a common film apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are when you would train on a certain job, learn about the profession and get a training wage, creating independence. Generally, apprenticeships are good for experiencing potential careers directly and thoroughly.

Entry-level jobs; in film especially, you have to work your way up the job industry. Entry-level jobs are where you typically don’t require expiernce in the field before taking on the job, like apprenticeships training is often required. Lower jobs in the industry when no experience prior is required at all, would be working as a runner. However, understanding the nature of the film industry and the jobs within it would be useful, as well as ‘soft skills’ (like teamwork, good communication and stuff like a driving license) are essential.

Studying at university; you can study at university, but a film degree isn’t required in order to take on a career in the film industry but can help you get onto a desired film course, and any university degree is appreciated to demonstrate skills and previous qualifications.

Online opportunities (e.g. entering competitions, sharing work, networking); online opportunities can lead to courses like the BFI Academy and other things that would help you gain contacts with professionals across the industry, which could be very useful starting out in the industry e.g. if you were making a short film, having access to a good editor or cameraman/ equipment would really help the process; these connections could be made by sharing work and reaching out, to people with similar interests.

Film festivals; screening a short film at a film festival is a great way to show your work to many professionals by getting yourself out there and getting yourself noticed by talking to the people at the screening; through networking you can pitch your ideas and explain your short film to people already in the film industry, consolidating connections.

BFI Film Academy progression (residential courses, BAFTA mentoring and Future Skills); the BFI residential courses are a great opportunity to get to know certain areas in film better, like the documentary residential, visual effects, programming, distribution, by fully immersing yourself in the desired area of film production for 7 days and meeting professionals.

Personal Progression Plan

I would like to work in acting on-screen, directing and possibly editing. In order to do this I would like to study film further, to define my main areas of interests. Also, I would like to take on some work experience or even employment in the industry as a runner or ask to ‘shadow’ a professional director/ actor at work, on set.

The courses that interest me are Runner Directing courses and Acting-on-stage course. Being a runner would be intensive, due to the amount of responsibility and endurance I would need as a new employee of the film industry, however I think it would be really beneficial for me to see how a professional film production works, teams collaborate and to get to know key figures. Particularly the director, as there are so many key elements to control and supervise; I think directors need a talent of communication of all their intentions. Also, starting as a runner would allow me to gain respect and further trust, potentially allowing me to get higher up roles like assistant director. Secondly, an Acting-on-stage course would be really helpful for me in developing acting skills for film productions, as I’ve only had experience in theatre, which requires very different performance. Within an acting course, I would be able to learn how to get in character and be comfortable in an intimate, pressured atmosphere and act more naturalistic for a camera rather than a large audience. I think I would gain confidence which would help me in any other job too.

I would be interested in working with a few local media companies;

Warp films; They’ve previously made great films and TV shows like This Is England, the film and series and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (yet to be released) which I’m a huge fan of. Also, as they have filmed in Sheffield and gotten involved in Sheffield-based stories and have offices in Sheffield and London they would be accessible and I could start as an extra in a scene or two or a Runner behind the scenes, as extra help is always needed. Also, their productions are usually well published on Channel 4 and Sky Atlantic, helping me gain further connections.

Film Up North; I would be interested in working with these because they offer budgeting for all types of projects out of London, which is extremely useful for a beginner in the film industry. Also they branch out to young people, so I would love to help direct a certain project funded by them to give new ideas and it would be something I would be able to access.

Since making my own film production, I have numerous useful contacts that I could utilise to make my own film. I could hire equipment from Sheffield University, branch out to my associates made at BFI Academy for editors, scriptwriters, extra actors. I would like to make another short film, and I could do this through a camera I already have and hired equipment. I would get funding from Film Up North, if they approved of my idea, as they offer funding of £1,500 for over 18s that have a producer, director and writer in the project already (which is a small amount of people to get started off with). I could always reach out to the establisher of the Spirit of Independence Film Festival to screen it when it’s completed, and present my idea to as many professionals there. Hopefully a network of cameramen, editors will join me if my idea of the short film is pitched and shared across social media well enough initially. Having these networks will help my film in post production and even during production, as they would have more experience and resources. This would make the short film seem more professionally produced and distributed.

I am interested in auditioning for Buzz Talent and other places to get an agent, as that would help me get acting opportunities, getting to know he film makers allowing further potential opportunities in film making.

Learning from Masterclasses

Industry Speaker: Paul Fraser. He writes scripts for film productions and TV programmes and dramas. Additionally, he acts in films.

Fraser and his best friend, Shane Meadows, used to make funny sketches when they were younger for fun and play them on their TV at home. Gradually they became more creative with their shots and storylines, under the minimal resources and tapes they had in the 80s; therefore more and more people got involved. They applied for screenings where they would invite their whole family and friends, attracting professionals and leading to further publicity. Fraser pitched a few ideas to various people and was picked uby professionals; starting his career.

Paul Fraser is Shane Meadows co-writer, therefore was the co-writer in the cult film This Is England (2006), co-writer and acted in the feature film Twenty Four Seven (1997) which also won serval awards at film festivals, the co-writer and acted in the teen comedy-drama A Room For Romeo Brass (1999), writer and assistant director for Somers Town (2006). He appears in romantic comedy-drama film Once Upon A Time In The Midlands (2002) and many more of Shaun Meadows acclaimed films.What have they done in their career?

Paul Fraser gave a masterclass on story ideas and development; how to come up with good enough ideas that can then be transferred to a script format and pitched. I learnt about the film industry through Paul Fraser’s masterclass that every character, to make a good film, must go on a self-journey of overcoming something. Typically a character faces a problem initially, tries to resolve it but fails, then unexpectedly finds a way out of the low point, ending on an emotionally higher point to where they started, stratifying the audience and showing substantial character development. I didn’t realise film plot lines where typically this simple, so it made me realise developing a story for a film isn’t that hard but the crucial part is pitching the idea and writing it well enough to seem original and compelling to others.

Working in film/media also requires confidence. When you have an idea and a script, you have to simply put yourself out there by talking to people who are interested, going to events and pitching your idea to as many professionals as you can, and being confident in your idea so you feel motivated to make it into an actual film. After it’s shot you need the confidence to edit it well and reach out to more people for the opportunity to screen it.

Personally, I have found out that I could be good at helping other writers develop their characters and storylines before it’s written into a script format. This is because I’ve always liked English and creative writing, so I think I could come up with some interesting ideas for characteristics of fictional characters and circumstances. I’ve found out that many local cinemas will offer screening for independent, small budgeted films too.