1. MAC 273:
Professional Media Practice
Week 4: Professional practice and „what the
industries want‟
Planning for CV’s and Placement

2. Placement
• Can be taken anywhere –
– but you need to find it.
• Ask for help
– Join the facebook group
• Fill in the tracking form

3. What does industry want from you?

5. Media Graduate Skills
• critical analysis;
• Research;
• a broad commercial and cultural awareness of the
media and creative industries;
• Teamwork;
• initiation and development of creative work in
writing, audio-visual or other electronic media;
• a flexible, creative and independent approach to
tasks;
the ability to work to a brief and meet deadlines
• Persistence and motivation are vital due to the
popularity of this sector.
– Prospects.ac.uk

6. First, the good news
The average is
60.4%
Media graduates are relatively employable

7. Media Studies
(Prospects.ac.uk)
• Graduates from this discipline were amongst those
most likely to go straight into employment (67.1%).
However, over a quarter of those were in retail and
catering. This highlights some of the challenges
involved in securing a career in the media and the
need for early career planning and work experience.
Nonetheless almost one in five (18.1%) did secure
degree related employment in arts, design and
culture occupations and many more became
business, marketing and management professionals
(21.7%).

8. It’s not going to be easy…
•Most sectors of the industry have long been characterised by highly
motivated individuals wanting to work in an industry commonly seen as
glamorous and exciting.
• In terms of outcomes, 10% of all Skillset relevant students who have gained
employment 6 months after graduating have done so within Skillset
industries.
• It should nevertheless be noted that Skillset relevant students make up over
half (51%) of all the students to be subsequently employed in a Skillset
industry, indicating that Skillset relevant students are more likely to find
employment in Skillset industries than those studying non-Skillset relevant
courses

9. Media, Skills, Training & the Industry
• Skillset: the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual
Industries
– Sector guides and role/skills descriptors.
– National Occupational Standards
– www.skillset.org
• Broadcast Equality and Training Regulator
– www.betr.org.uk

10. Skills for Tomorrow's Media
The Report of the Skillset and DCMS Audio
Visual Industries Training Group
•Considered the future skills and training needs
of our industry sectors
•Identified trends
•Highlighted skills gaps
•Made recommendations for improvements in
training and good practice
•http://www.skillset.org/research/skills/article_511_1.asp

11. Some findings from the report
Radio
Television

12. Skillset census
• 60% of the workforce entered the industries since 1994
• 30% are media graduates
• 30% have a post-graduate qualification (certificate, diploma,
Masters – not necessarily in a media subject)
• 50% of the workforce is freelance
• Asked industries what they are looking for when recruiting
staff
– Skillset Census: 2006
– Workforce Report: 2005

13. Skills Gap 2011
• Multi-skilling – impact of tech on content
• Multi-platform – understand / exploit
– How to monetise it
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Management, leadership, entrepreneurship
Broadcast engineering
Sales and marketing
“Diagonal Thinking”

14. How do you stand
out from the crowd

15. Clive Jones: postscript of report
(Chief Executive of Skillset)
• “The only certainty is uncertainty.”
• “Arrive with a wonderful enthusiasm and a mad
flexibility.
• “In the workplace, group-work is hierarchical, not
equal as in University.”

16. Getting On
• Research
• Grab Opportunities
• Network
• Experience
• Network
• Have a plan

17. Skillset standards
• “Standards are also a great tool to help you
focus your mind and compile a CV which will
highlight your competence and present
yourself more effectively as well as ensuring
you are using the correct terminology”
– http://www.skillset.org/standards/article_5839_1.
asp

18. Skillset Standards
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Access Operations & Rigging
Animal Training
Broadcast Journalism
Broadcast Media Technology
Camera
Costume
Design for the Moving Image
Directors
Editing
Grip and Crane Technicians
Hair & Make-Up
Interactive Media and Computer Games
Lighting for Film & TV
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Photo Imaging Standards
Production (Film & TV)
Production Accounting
Production Design
Props
Radio Production
Senior Producers
Set Crafts
Sound
Stagehands
Studio & Technical
Operations

19. •
e.g. Camera
Locations and Resources
C1 Assess and agree studios or locations
C2 Specify camera equipment required
C3 Collect information and develop shooting ideas
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Preparation
C4 Obtain, prepare and return equipment
C5 Check that film camera equipment is working
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Resources and preparation
C6 Provide vision monitoring facilities for multi
camera television
C7 Lay simple track for Camera Dollies
C8 Rig camera and accessories onto a fixed
mounting
C9 Rig camera and accessories onto a pressurised
pedestal
C10 Rig and manage cables for production
C11 Prepare and fit the lens and camera
accessories
Generic standards:
Freelance work
F1 Manage and market yourself as a freelancer
Training
F2 Facilitate and manage trainees
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Shooting
C12 Provide assistance to record and review the video image
C13 Maintain camera batteries during shoot
C14 Co-ordinate the crew to position a camera
C15 Fit magazine to camera
C16 Provide video assist
C17 Provide assistance to the camera crew during a multi camera shoot
C18 Communicate and co-ordinate within a multi camera shoot
C19 Focus the lens
C20 Set up video camera exposure monitoring
C21 Expose and colour correct the image
C22 Expose the image for portable single camera shoots with lights
C23 Maintain and use adequate film stock on a shoot
C24 Identify slate information and operate the clapperboard
C25 Track the video camera
C26 Swing the crane arm for video camera
C27 Elevate and track the video camera
C28 Position and move the camera to frame and compose the image
C29 Supervise the camera crew during a multiple or multi camera shoot
C30 Supervise the technical and craft skills of the crew during a location shoot
C31 Supervise the camera crew on a film shoot
Working relationships / Co -ordination
X1 Contribute to good working relationships
Health and Safety
X2 Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health
and safety
X3 Conduct an assessment of risks in the workplace

20. Writing a CV
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Keep it relevant
Keep it concise
Ask yourself "So what?”
Keep it factual
List achievements
Talk positively and enthusiastically
if you are proud of what you have achieved get it on your CV
Don’t presume people know what you have done - spell it out
http://bbc.in/bbc-cv-tips

21. http://bbc.in/more-cv-tips
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Be concise and ensure your information has an impact
Keep it simple and clear –Analyse the job description –
Identify which relevant skills, experience and competencies you have.
What might the employer be looking for?
Summarise your key achievements at the top of your CV
Don’t have any unexplained gaps on your application.
Academic and professional qualifications should flow in a logical order
Check your application before submitting.
Use the right language (Use Skillset NOS as a guide)
http://bbc.in/media-jobinterviews