Director :
What does a Director do?
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure. Directors may write the film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished film and work out how to achieve it.
During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments.
At all stages, Directors are responsible for motivating the team to produce the best possible results. Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film's budget and schedule and manage the expectations of the film's financiers.
Qualifications Required?
During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments.
At all stages, Directors are responsible for motivating the team to produce the best possible results. Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film's budget and schedule and manage the expectations of the film's financiers.
Qualifications Required?
You don’t need a formal qualification to become a Director.
There are numerous training courses and reference books on directing and studying the art and craft of directing is important.
Salary: For a well established film director the average pay would be £35,000 and for a well established TV director would be £30,000. Hours are long and sometimes erratic in the sense that they are massivly irregular.
Camera Operator (Portable Single Camera):
What does a Camera Operator do?
There are numerous training courses and reference books on directing and studying the art and craft of directing is important.
Salary: For a well established film director the average pay would be £35,000 and for a well established TV director would be £30,000. Hours are long and sometimes erratic in the sense that they are massivly irregular.
Camera Operator (Portable Single Camera):
What does a Camera Operator do?
Camera Operators are usually selected by the Director, but sometimes by the DP. They work closely with the First Camera Assistant (Focus Puller). They oversee the preparation and checking of camera equipment. During shooting, they are responsible for all aspects of camera operation, so that the DP can concentrate intensively on lighting and overall visual style. While the DP and Director discuss the composition of each shot, the Operator ensures that the camera and associated equipment are ready for the required set-up, keeping alert for any last-minute changes.
They liaise closely with the Director, fine-tuning the exact details of each shot, often suggesting creative improvements or alternatives. They work closely with performers, guiding them on what can and cannot be seen by the camera. They supervise the moving of the camera and oversee camera maintenance work carried out by the Focus Puller and the Second Camera Assistant.
They liaise closely with the Director, fine-tuning the exact details of each shot, often suggesting creative improvements or alternatives. They work closely with performers, guiding them on what can and cannot be seen by the camera. They supervise the moving of the camera and oversee camera maintenance work carried out by the Focus Puller and the Second Camera Assistant.
Qualifications Required?
You do not need a specific qualification to work in this role. Instead, you would usually learn the practical skills required through hands-on experience on the job. That said, continuing professional development is vital, especially as camera technology changes rapidly.
Basic stills photography, which develops visual and composition skills, also provides a useful starting point in training for this role.
Salary: For your average single camera operator you would be earning around £23,530 per annum and would be working long and again irregular hours in conjunction with the Director.
Location Manager :
What does a Location Manager do?
The Location Managers' primary role is to identify and find ideal locations for a film shoot. They search for exactly the right location can take months of research and scouting. Work starts in pre-production, to understand the Director’s creative vision for the film. This helps the Location Manager make the right decisions about potential locations.
They also have to take into account accessibility, the shooting schedule and budget. They have to negotiate the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise reduction, power sources, catering requirements and any official permissions that may be needed. They often use a photographic storyboard to illustrate their findings back in the production office.
Qualifications Required?
They also have to take into account accessibility, the shooting schedule and budget. They have to negotiate the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise reduction, power sources, catering requirements and any official permissions that may be needed. They often use a photographic storyboard to illustrate their findings back in the production office.
Qualifications Required?
You don’t need a formal qualification to become a Location Manager.
If you can complete any health and safety training course, this is extremely useful.
Salary: location managers are paid on a weekly basis and thats only when they are in active use. Pay for low budget productions would net you around £70 daily and for huge productions you could get up to around £700 a day.
Producer:
If you can complete any health and safety training course, this is extremely useful.
Salary: location managers are paid on a weekly basis and thats only when they are in active use. Pay for low budget productions would net you around £70 daily and for huge productions you could get up to around £700 a day.
Producer:
What does a Producer do?
Producers have overall control on every aspect of a film's production. They bring together and approve the whole production team. Their key responsibility is to create an environment where the talents of the cast and crew can flourish. Producers are accountable for the success of the finished film. They steer the film from beginning to completion and beyond.
The Producer is often the first person to get involved in a project. Or they may be the agent-style Producer who focuses on the deal. The many responsibilities of the Producer span all four phases of production. In the Development stage, Producers are often responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a screenplay. Producers secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the development process.
Qualifications Required?
The Producer is often the first person to get involved in a project. Or they may be the agent-style Producer who focuses on the deal. The many responsibilities of the Producer span all four phases of production. In the Development stage, Producers are often responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a screenplay. Producers secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the development process.
Qualifications Required?
You don’t need a specific qualification; however top filmmakers work with the same people over and over again. To get started in the Production Office it is worth getting experience as a Production Assistant or Runner. If you can prove that you are reliable, trustworthy and enthusiastic you may progress.
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Executive Producer:
What does an Executive Producer do?
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Executive Producer:
What does an Executive Producer do?
They are part of the team who are responsible for selecting marketable projects and ensuring that every step is taken to guarantee success in the market. They lead the production of a range of television programmes, including dramas, serial dramas, documentaries and drama documentaries.
On serial dramas, and some entertainment programmes, experienced and well-known writers may also be credited as Executive Producers. On current affairs and news programming, the Executive Producer role is often combined with that of the programme editor. Executive Producers are usually experienced industry practitioners, who bring their particular, individual skills and talents to this demanding role.
They tend to work on a number of projects at the same time, each at different stages of production, and often across several different countries. They may view rushes and rough cuts of programmes, and usually have final approval of the edited materials.
Qualifications Required?
On serial dramas, and some entertainment programmes, experienced and well-known writers may also be credited as Executive Producers. On current affairs and news programming, the Executive Producer role is often combined with that of the programme editor. Executive Producers are usually experienced industry practitioners, who bring their particular, individual skills and talents to this demanding role.
They tend to work on a number of projects at the same time, each at different stages of production, and often across several different countries. They may view rushes and rough cuts of programmes, and usually have final approval of the edited materials.
Qualifications Required?
You won’t need a specific qualification to become an Executive Producer in TV. However, a degree in a media-related, drama or specialist subject may give you a good grounding.
You will need to have wide experience in and knowledge of the production process. Some specialist courses aimed at experienced producers offer training in co-production, developing networks and partnerships, pitching, and other topics.
Salary: £79,500 is the average annual pay for a high end executive producer
Director of Photography:
What does a Director of Photography do?
You will need to have wide experience in and knowledge of the production process. Some specialist courses aimed at experienced producers offer training in co-production, developing networks and partnerships, pitching, and other topics.
Salary: £79,500 is the average annual pay for a high end executive producer
Director of Photography:
What does a Director of Photography do?
Directors of Photography (DoPs) are key Heads of Department on film productions and theirs is one of the major creative roles. They provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look.
DoPs must discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc. They create the desired look using lighting, framing, camera movement, etc. DoPs collaborate closely with the camera crew
On each day of principal photography, DoPs and their camera crews arrive early on set to prepare the equipment. During rehearsals, the Director and DoP block (decide the exact movements of both actors and camera) the shots as the actors walk through their actions, discussing any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the Camera Operator, Gaffer and Grip.
Qualifications Required? You could take a degree in stills photography to gain a good, all-round understanding of composition and light. However, a drama, art or a film/media studies degree all provide a good grounding.
Although you do not need to have an electrical qualification, you will need to understand the functions of a variety of lighting equipment and to have thorough knowledge of cameras, lenses and film stocks.
Salary: £63,000 per annum
DoPs must discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc. They create the desired look using lighting, framing, camera movement, etc. DoPs collaborate closely with the camera crew
On each day of principal photography, DoPs and their camera crews arrive early on set to prepare the equipment. During rehearsals, the Director and DoP block (decide the exact movements of both actors and camera) the shots as the actors walk through their actions, discussing any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the Camera Operator, Gaffer and Grip.
Qualifications Required? You could take a degree in stills photography to gain a good, all-round understanding of composition and light. However, a drama, art or a film/media studies degree all provide a good grounding.
Although you do not need to have an electrical qualification, you will need to understand the functions of a variety of lighting equipment and to have thorough knowledge of cameras, lenses and film stocks.
Salary: £63,000 per annum
Sound Recordist:
What does a Sound Recordist do?
What does a Sound Recordist do?
Sound Recordists (also known as Production Mixers) record sound on location or in a studio, usually in synchronization with the camera, to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming.
They monitor the quality of the sound recording through headphones and work closely with the Director, Boom Operator and sometimes the Sound Editor, often using multiple microphones.
They are responsible for producing the final sound mix, so they directly supervise the Sound Assistants and Boom Operators. Sometimes, they also manage the rest of the sound crew. They may also occasionally operate the boom themselves. They often have to supervise front line maintenance in order to keep the production on track.
Qualifications Required?
They monitor the quality of the sound recording through headphones and work closely with the Director, Boom Operator and sometimes the Sound Editor, often using multiple microphones.
They are responsible for producing the final sound mix, so they directly supervise the Sound Assistants and Boom Operators. Sometimes, they also manage the rest of the sound crew. They may also occasionally operate the boom themselves. They often have to supervise front line maintenance in order to keep the production on track.
Qualifications Required?
You won’t need a qualification to be a TV Sound Recordist. However it is vital to be able to show a strong interest in sound and an understanding of its physical properties.
Salary: £50,000 per year
Production Designer:
What does a production designer do?
Salary: £50,000 per year
Production Designer:
What does a production designer do?
They help Directors to define and achieve the look and feel of a film. Production Designers begin work at the very early stages of pre-production. They may be asked to look at scripts to provide spending estimates before a Director is even approached. On first reading a screenplay, they assess the visual qualities that will help to create atmosphere and bring the story to life.
After preparing a careful breakdown of the script they meet with the Director to discuss how best to shoot the film and work out whether to use sets and/or locations, what should be built and what should be adapted and whether there is a visual theme that recurs throughout the film.
Qualifications Required?
After preparing a careful breakdown of the script they meet with the Director to discuss how best to shoot the film and work out whether to use sets and/or locations, what should be built and what should be adapted and whether there is a visual theme that recurs throughout the film.
Qualifications Required?
You will need to be a graduate of art, architecture, theatre, interior or 3D design courses. After this, you can complete a specialist course in film and/or theatre design.
Salary: £25,000 yearly
Runner:
What does a Runner do?
Salary: £25,000 yearly
Runner:
What does a Runner do?
Production Runners are used by the Producer and by other production staff. They help out wherever they are needed on productions. Their responsibilities vary depending on where Production Runners are assigned.
In the Production Office duties might include answering telephones, filing paperwork and data entry. Or arranging lunches, dinners, and transportation reservations, photocopying, general office administration, and distributing production paperwork.
On set, Runners might have to act as a courier and help to keep the set clean and tidy. They also distribute call sheets, health and safety notices, and other paperwork. On location shoots, Production Runners may also be needed to help co-ordinate the extras, and to perform crowd control duties.
Runners are usually employed on a freelance basis and their hours are long and irregular.
Qualifications Required?
In the Production Office duties might include answering telephones, filing paperwork and data entry. Or arranging lunches, dinners, and transportation reservations, photocopying, general office administration, and distributing production paperwork.
On set, Runners might have to act as a courier and help to keep the set clean and tidy. They also distribute call sheets, health and safety notices, and other paperwork. On location shoots, Production Runners may also be needed to help co-ordinate the extras, and to perform crowd control duties.
Runners are usually employed on a freelance basis and their hours are long and irregular.
Qualifications Required?
You don’t need a specific qualification, but a good education is an advantage. You will also need a full, clean EU driving licence.
Salary: £14,550 yearly
Salary: £14,550 yearly
(All information used and more is available from creativeskillset.org)
