1. Job Roles In Film
By Mustafa Said and Jack Kilminster
2. Director
A film director is a person who is in control of the production of the film. Generally, a film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic
aspects and visualizes the screenplay, the director will do this whilsts guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfillment of the vision of
the screenplay. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of filmmaking.
The film director will give directions to the cast and crew. Directors need to be able to mediate differences in creative visions and stay within
the boundaries of the film's budget.
There are lots of different pathways to becoming a film director. Some film directors started as screenwriters, cinematographers, film editors
or actors. Other film directors have attended a film school. Directors use different approaches. Some outline a general plotline and let the
actors improvise dialogue, while others control every aspect, and demand that the actors and crew follow instructions precisely. Some
directors also write their own screenplays or collaborate on screenplays with long-standing writing partners. Some directors edit or appear in
their films, or compose the music score for their films. Usually when it comes to recruitment of a director of a film there will be no audiences
or interviews, usually the director will be selected by the producer of the production once listening to their visuals after reading a script or a
screenplay that the producer would have supplied them with.
Jack Kilminster
3. What are the skills needed to be a director?
To do this role, you will need to:
have exceptional artistic vision and creative skills.
have unerring commitment.
have a deep passion for filmmaking.
be a strong and confident leader.
make decisions.
delegate and collaborate with others.
have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
inspire and motivate the team.
There are no real qualifications needed to
become a film director, however there are
some things a person can do, which can
be helpful in understanding the role. All
directors will start off at the bottom of the
list in a media production, whether it being
a cameraman or runner, to become a
director you would have to worm your way
up in the pecking order. To become a
director it's useful to have some
experience in the media industry already
and to have a good understanding and
knowledge with all the process of making a
production. Its also helpful to of studied a
course on this topic, as it would help the
you out in the knowledge area.
Jack Kilminster
4. Screenwriter
A screenplay writer is also called a screenwriter for short. A scriptwriter, is someone who practices on how to screenwrite, writing
screenplays for media such as films, television programs, comics or video games. Screenwriting is done as a freelancer (A freelancer or
freelance worker is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer
long-term) profession by anyone even without any education, anyone can become a screenwriter as there is no process in becoming
one. In order to become a screenwriter you must need to have good storytelling abilities and imagination. Screenwriters are not hired by
companies but are contracted freelancers.
Most, if not all, screenwriters start their careers writing on speculation (spec) and so write without being hired or paid for it. If such a
script is sold, it is called a spec script(A spec script, also known as a speculative screenplay, is a non-commissioned unsolicited
screenplay. It is usually written by a screenwriter who hopes to have the script optioned and eventually purchased by a producer,
production company, or studio).
Jack Kilminster
5. Screenwriter
There are a legion of wanna-be screenwriters who attempt to enter the film industry, but it often takes years of trial-and-error, failure, and
gritty persistence to achieve success.
Every screenplay and teleplay begins with a thought or idea, and screenwriters use their ideas to write scripts, with the intention of selling
them and having them produced. In some cases, the script is based on an existing property, such as a book or person's life story, which is
adapted by the screenwriter. The majority of the time, a film project gets initiated by a screenwriter. The initiator of the project gets the
exclusive writing assignment They are referred to as "exclusive" assignments or "pitched" assignments. Screenwriters who often pitch new
projects, whether original or an adaptation, often do not have to worry about competing for assignments and are often more successful.
When word is put out about a project a film studio, production company, or producer wants done, they are referred to as "open" assignments.
Open assignments are more competitive. If screenwriters are competing for an open assignment, more-established writers usually win the
assignments. A screenwriter can also be approached and personally offered a writing assignment.
This is a link to an advertisement for a scriptwriter, this website was very useful in finding jobs for a particular profession.
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/jobdetails.aspx?jobId=372997&partnerid=25354&siteid=5108&codes=AD007
Jack Kilminster
6. Producer
In the film and television industry, a producer is responsible for many things such as looking after different projects from conception till
completion. Producers are also responsible for marketing their product and distribution. For example, if a film was completed and had a
release date, in advance the producer will have to advertise the film and how it will be consumed by the target audience. The producer will
make this happen by having trailers or posters made and the film can be distributed to the cinema, online streaming sites, DVD or Blu-ray.
The producer also has to supervise everything from production to post production while also keeping up to date with the director about
scenes and characters on the given production
A producer arranges funding for each project and keeps the production within the given budget. For example, a film producer will use the
‘dragon’s den’ method in order to convince investors to fund their film and why. With the given amount of the investors’ money, the
producers must try to make sure the money is spent well on necessary and relevant equipment. The producer focuses on not blowing the
given budget in order to also save money so that the cast and crew and make more profit out of it.
Producers always have a range of contacts and make new ones too. These contacts are people who have important job roles within the
same industry and can be very useful. For example, if I knew a person who makes props and was very skilled and had experiences in
television and films I would ask that person to work in my production. This is also because it is the producer’s job to hire the director and
crew to shoot the production whether for film or television. This means the producer also creates and is control of the shooting schedules.
Mustafa Said
7. Any graduate is welcome to become a producer, however to increase your chances at getting the job a degree or HND would help.
HND stands for Higher National Diploma which further educates you in your subject, takes two years to complete and is equivalent of
two years at university. With this you may get qualifications in job roles such as broadcasting, communication and media studies,
information technology/multimedia and photography/film/television. Entry without a degree or HND is possible, but most producers
are educated to degree level. Courses containing practical work experience may also increase your chances in success as this
industry is very competitive. Most graduates may need some previous experience so that you can give evidence of your practical skills
and your work.
Skills for this specific job role is necessary. There are many skills one must require in order to become a successful producer. You
must be confident in yourself and in what you are trying to achieve. Confidence is key and without it you may not achieve your goal.
This is because, for example, if I was to make big contacts within the industry, I will need to be able to socialise and talk to different
people. If you are not confident with your production, there may be errors caused as you won’t want to put any effort into it. You also
need strong communication, leadership and people skills. You must know what your audience want and should be able to instruct your
cast and crew in control in the way you want. Presentation and pitching skills are also a must. This is because, for example, when you
go to Investors to help fund your production, you would want to be able to convince them why they should invest in you and what
makes your production a guaranteed success.
Time management skills are necessary. For example, you should be able to manage your time for when auditioning your cast and
crew, hold meetings with the director and should be able to spend your time at the studio during the production. This is important as
you don’t want to be rushing around and stressing over time. You must be professional and manage your time calmly. Handling stress
is very important as you should be able to cope under pressure. You don’t want to be under pressure and look unprofessional. This
would make some of your cast and crew not to work with you again and your success rate may drop making people not want to hire
you.
Mustafa Said
8. Editor
In the film industry, a film/video editor is responsible for assembling raw footage together in order to tell a story and finish the product
that's suitable for broadcasting. Editors do many different techniques with materials such as camera footage, dialogue, sound effects,
graphics and special effects. For example, when a film is made, an editor may add sounds either diegetic or non-diegetic in order to
create verisimilitude and/or entertainment. The editor also may add special effects for example, in superhero movies, making a person
look like they have super strength or flying is done under special effects. This is a key role in the post-production process and your
skills can determine the quality and delivery of the final product. The editor is most likely to work with the director on set to understand
what he will need to do once editing in post-production. The director may also work with the editor in the editing room to make sure the
director gets as desired for the final production.
An editor is usually given a script to understand what scenes are needed to be put together. Even a screenplay or even shot list is
given. An editor may arrange all footage and other recordings such as onto a computer in files. An editor may firstly do a ‘rough cut’ to
make sure everything is in order as desired from the script until it is finalised using effect and other techniques such as adding sound or
lighting.
Everything nowadays is done digitally and online. Digital technology, specialist computer software and high-quality digitisation of sound
and pictures have effectively replaced the traditional manual method of editing when it comes to cutting film and piecing them together
by the machine called a moviola. In some instances you may be given creative freedom, while in others you'll just be required to
operate the necessary machines.
Mustafa Said
9. In the film industry there are many different variety of work needed from editors such as a commercials, training videos, in films, music
video and television programmes. Editing is one of the most important features part of post-production in order to complete the final
product. Without editing, there wouldn’t be a narrative as the product would look very unprofessional and long. For example, some
scenes filmed may either be too long and may contain errors during production such as actors breaking character messing up the
scene. Without editing all these mistakes wouldn’t be able to be removed and everything would have to be shot in one take.
In addition, editors may also get other tasks such as engineering video and sound progress and quality and editing them. Editors may
also select or suggest a song to use for production. Editors may also get online duties such as fixing faulty footage, do grading or even
add colouring.
Starting salaries for assistant editors employed by a television or post-production studio are roughly £18,000 to £25,000. Editors with
some experience in editing film or video, you could earn £21,000 to £35,000. At a master level of editing, your earnings could
potentially reach £37,000 to £70,000 but is only available to editors working on big-budget projects. As you just start to become an
editor you would tend to work on minimum national wage however, the more the experience and the more skilful you become, your
salary will potentially increase.
10. Working hours may vary depending on how big the production is. You may be able to do standard working hours of up to a 50-hour
working week which is likely if you're working on television or feature film projects. Shift work may be required if editing studios are
booked at night. When there are deadlines to meet, long hours and overtime can be expected from you.
You'll often have to compete for work with other freelance editors and you can be involved with several productions of different
sizes at any given time. On a large project you may work with other editors such as a sound effects editor, music editor and
assistant editors. You may get under pressure because you can be working intensively to strict deadlines on limited studio time.
You'll spend most of your time in editing suites, which are typically small but comfortable environments. However, for a freelance
editor, you can work at home if you have your own equipment. Due to this reason a lot of time of work will be spent on computers.
Mustafa Said
11. In order to become an editor, a foundation degree, degree or even an HND is not necessary at all unless you are committed to put in
your time and effort. This is due to the long hours and deadlines you will have to meet depending on the size of the project. It may
however be helpful as it offers film or media production as it shows you have experience. It is still important you show your skills to
show you are good enough and at least know the basic fundamentals of editing. You will need to be skilled in using specific editing
softwares such as Final Cut Pro or Sony Vega. This is because for example, Final Cut Pro are the most commonly used editing
softwares especially on Macs. If you do not know how to use the software, there may be no point in applying for the job role. Applying
to learn these softwares for training purposes can be expensive so you must be careful when applying to these courses that match
your career field.
A postgraduate qualification is not important however, the courses provided may increases your chances as you may learn advanced
skills that may eliminate competition. To know how to use latest technology is also a very big advantage as everything nowadays is
digital and technology is evolving.
Editors can be hired by many different film and television companies. Such companies can be animation companies, broadcast, film,
independent film companies, post-production companies and video/computer games companies. For example, disney animation
studios may hire you to edit an animation film such as ‘Bolt’. Some post-production companies and independent companies would offer
an editor a long-term contracts. Broadcast and film companies would most likely employ their own editors yet they are all freelance.
Mustafa Said
12. One of the many skill sets you will need is creativity and have a critical mind. This is because editors for example, use many effects as
well and to be able to create your own style especially for a big project and be able to know how to use them is appreciated. Editing
must be done in passion and interest otherwise your post production can let you and the whole project down as editing is the key
feature to a great production. You must be patient and be able concentrate as even the little details in editing count such as when
editing sound. In music videos for example, being able to have cuts on beat to the music is very important as the cuts go well with the
visuals very smoothly. Being able to listen and work well with others is a great skill to have. This is because when working with the
director he or she would be directing you on what and how to edit as they desire. Also being able to work well with others, people
would want to work with you again meaning you would be able to get offered more projects and paid more money. Team effort is very
important as work is shared and done easily and everyone shares great and creative ideas amongst each other. You should have great
time management as an editor you will need to be meet deadlines whether under a contract or working freelance. As an editor, self-
motivation and commitment is a must. You should be dedicated to working as you know you would have long hours and meet
deadlines. If you give up while working or don’t have the self motivation, people may never trust to work with you again giving you a
bad reputation.
I have found a job advertisements for video editors in the following website which showed me different jobs to apply to. One was for a
full time job from £18,500 to £19,500. The purpose of the job role is to assemble customer testimonials, create a portfolio of local area
images and video and to design and create video templates for the company’s customer base.
Mustafa Said
13. How do these job roles link together?
Within the industry every different job role is equally important and without any one of them a film or television programme is not
possible. For example, without a director, how is a cast and crew meant to be work and be directed? Most important for a successful
film or television programme is the relation between the director and producer. The director would be given the project mostly by the
producer and would then have to direct the cast and crew. The Producer may buy a script from a screenwriter for a project or may
work with the screenwriter to explain what they would want the project to be about. The director is then given the script for the project
and has to start production just after pre-production where the producer manages hiring all the cast and crew, get money from the
investors to fund the project. After production is then post production where the editors receive raw footage from production and are
then put together while explained by the director as well as following the script. Once the editors have finished editing, the producer
advertises the project by releasing trailers, posters or/and social media accounts. If the project becomes a huge success each
individual may want to work again with each other or would be offered to work someone else. Therefore, a team effort pays off as
each job role is equally important. A great example is Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright and Nira Park. The three have worked together in
3 very successful films. Shaun of The Dead, The World’s End and even Hot Fuzz. Edgar Wright had directed all three films, Nira Park
has produced all three films and Simon Pegg has starred and screenplayed all three films. This shows how much they enjoyed working
together they decided to work together again making more hit films.
Jack Kilminster
