JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Film/Video editor

Film/Video Editor -

About the Job -
A film or video editor is responsible for assembling recorded raw material into a finished product suitable for broadcasting. The material may consist of camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects.
This is a key role in the post-production process and the editor's skill can determine the quality and delivery of the final product.

Salary -
Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000-£25,000 for those employed by a television or post-production studio. This is not typically an entry level/graduate job; entrants start at a lower-paid level, which can be around the national minimum wage, working as runners and then assistant editors before reaching this post.

Entry Requirements -
No specific qualifications are required and so this area of work is open to all graduates and those with a HND. However, the following subjects may increase your chances and provide you with useful experience:

• communication and media studies;
• photography/film/television;
• fine art/visual art;
• information technology/multimedia;
• graphic design.

Training -
Learning while working within the industry is the key way to develop the relevant skills. A combination of observing experienced professionals and experimenting with your own work is the common way for editors to develop the required technical and creative skills.

Related Jobs -

• Broadcast engineer
• Broadcast presenter
• Graphic designer
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video
• Television camera operator
• Television floor manager
• Television production assistant
• Television/film/video producer

JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Runner, broadcasting/film/video

Runner, broadcasting/film/video -

About the Job -
A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company. There is no single job description as runners act as general assistants and undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process.
This role offers the opportunity to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the ladder for people aspiring to roles in broadcasting media.

Salary -
Although starting salaries vary according to the size of the company, they have increased very little over the past few years. The average starting salary is approximately £7-£8 per hour. Pay is low and there is little reason for it to increase because competition for paid runner positions is fierce.

Entry Requirements -
Getting a position as a runner is often a combination of luck, timing and networking. The industry looks favorably on those with experience and contacts, rather than qualifications. 
Relevant courses include:

• television/film/media/radio production;
• media and broadcasting skills;
• multimedia;
• drama and theatre.

Training -
The broadcasting industry runs very few training schemes for new entrants and even fewer targeted exclusively at graduates. Any training schemes that are advertised tend to receive, literally, thousands of applications.

Related Jobs -

• Broadcast engineer
• Broadcast presenter
• Film/video editor
• Lighting technician, broadcasting/film/video
• Location manager
• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Radio producer
• Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
• Television floor manager
• Television production assistant

JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Publishing copy-editor/proofreader

Publishing copy-editor/proofreader -

About the Job -
Publishing copy-editors and proofreaders ensure that texts due for publication are well written, grammatically correct and accessible. They work on a range of publications, including books, journals, newspapers and IT-based resources.
Increasingly, copy-editors and proofreaders are employed on a freelance basis by publishing companies. It is not uncommon for them to work for a number of employers at the same time.

Salary -
Salaries vary widely according to the nature of the work and the employer. Larger corporate publishers generally pay higher rates than traditional publishers.
Typically, hourly rates are from around £22 for copy-editing and £20 for proofreading to £28 plus (The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), 2011).
Some employers pay a flat rate per piece of work.

Entry Requirements -
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:

• publishing/publishing studies;
• media/electronic media.

Graduates with a technical or science-based degree may find it easier to obtain freelance work for specialist publishers and society journals, particularly in the early stages of their career.
Entry with an HND or foundation degree only is unlikely, unless you can demonstrate an aptitude for the work and/or some highly relevant experience.

Training -
Copy-editors and proofreaders based in-house are likely to undergo some basic training whilst working, which usually includes shadowing and receiving support from more experienced colleagues.

Related Jobs -

• Advertising copywriter
• Archivist
• Commissioning editor
• Editorial assistant
• Lexicographer
• Magazine features editor
• Magazine journalist
• Press sub-editor
• Print production planner

JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Writer

Writer -

About the job -
Writers are involved in the creation and development of works of fiction and non-fiction. This covers a number of wide and varied forms including poetry, prose, life writing, and material for the theatre, screen and radio.
Most writers work freelance and are self-employed. They often have to support themselves through additonal types of work, such as teaching, lecturing, editing or other roles in publishing, as well as entirely unrelated jobs outside the writing industry.

Salary -
The annual average income for professional writers aged 25-34 from writing alone is only £5,000. A typical writer earns less than 33% of the national income.
Pay varies according to the medium and the writer's reputation and skill. A new writer can earn £52.67 per minute for a radio drama and £104.34 per minute for a TV drama with the BBC
Having a good agent, business manager and/or accountant is essential for most high earning writers.

Entry Requirements -
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• English and literature studies;
• communication and media studies;
• creative writing;
• journalism;
• performing arts.

Entry without a degree, foundation degree or HND is common
If you plan to write for the media, a short course in script writing or creative writing is worth considering and practical television and film courses may be helpful.

Training -
Most writers will tell you that there is no formal or informal training for what is, essentially, a creative role. Writers stress the importance of staying in contact with peers for feedback as well as support, which can also be found through critical appraisal services, writers' circles or writers' courses and workshops.

Related Jobs -

• Broadcast journalist
• Community arts worker
• Editorial assistant
• Further education lecturer
• Higher education lecturer
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Secondary school teacher
• Theatre director

JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Radio Producer

Radio Producer -


About the Job -
Radio producers are responsible for the audio content of broadcasts via radio, the internet and other mobile platforms. Producers manage and work with broadcasting assistants, presenters and DJs, engineers and IT staff.
They may also be responsible for the business and commercial management of a programme.
Specific responsibilities vary from programme to programme and station to station, and producers may sometimes also take on the roles of presenters or reporters.

Salary -
Conditions vary widely depending on whether you are on a staff contract with the BBC, which offers well-defined and protected conditions, or part of a small community radio team.
Freelance salaries vary from £150 to £300 a day, depending on experience.
Salaries are extremely variable, but a graduate with some relevant experience might hope to earn up to £16,000. Non-graduate entry positions could command around £12,500.

Entry Requirements -
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, a degree in broadcast journalism or media studies may increase your chances. Around 70% of all radio workers have a degree or postgraduate qualification.
Educational qualifications are not the only criteria for success - work experience and evidence of relevant skills for radio are valued much more highly.
The most important quality is a passion for radio.

Training -  
For employed staff, training is usually on the job, with individual training needs agreed at an annual appraisal. Freelance producers may get subsidised training from media organisations. Many courses can be completed via online training.
Many producers learn these skills from experienced colleagues or by attending short in-house training courses.

Related Jobs -

• Broadcast journalist
• Broadcast presenter
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Radio broadcast assistant
• Television/film/video producer

JL04 Task 1 - Jobs in the Media Industry - Newspaper Journalist

Newspaper Journalist -

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.
Journalists often travel within a working day, although absence from home overnight is rarely required. There may be opportunities to work abroad.

Salary-
- Few people enter journalism for the money. The starting salary for a trainee reporter is around £15,000, but on a local/regional paper may be as low as £12,000.
- The average salary for all journalists is £24,500, but there is wide variation between regional and national newspapers.
- Salaries for senior editors on regional daily newspapers are often negotiable and range from £50,000 to £85,000.

Entry Requirements - 
This area of work is open to graduates of any discipline but an undergraduate degree in journalism, English or writing may improve your chances. However, some editors may be more interested in graduates with a specialist degree subject, such as economics or science.
Experience and personal qualities are also considered extremely important.
Graduates can choose from several pre-entry routes into newspaper journalism. There are full-time, one-year postgraduate courses, which result in a postgraduate diploma or Masters degree. There are also fast-track, 18 to 20-week postgraduate courses. Students should check that their courses will be well regarded by potential employers.

Training -
After an initial probationary period, many trainee reporters follow basic journalism training under the terms of a training contract, usually lasting up to 18 months.
Entry requirements for the NCE include:

• a pass in the NCTJ preliminary certificate;
• a shorthand examination pass with a speed of at least 100 words per minute;
• at least 18 months' paid employment as a trainee journalist;
• a logbook of story cuttings from newspaper employment

Related Jobs -

• Advertising copywriter
• Broadcast journalist
• Magazine journalist
• Press sub-editor
• Public relations officer
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Radio producer
• Writer

JL04 Task 1 - Contracts and Recruitment Methods