Creative Industries – An Introduction – LO3

This essay will discuss an elected occupational area within the Creative Industries and discuss the skills that are required within that occupation. I will also discuss the transferable skills that are gained from this and how they can be used in other fields within the creative industries. Lastly, I will include the potential impact this has on technological, health and safety, legal issues and business support.

Film is the chosen occupational area within the Creative Industries that will be discussed. The main goal of a film can be anything from to entertainment, to create shock and awe, to inform and also tempt people into going to the cinema to watch their work thus making a profit. The construction a film it can broke down into 5 parts: Development, Pre-production, Production, Post-production and Distribution.

The development stage of a film is when the idea is written and the story and characters are finalised. The development stage includes Executive Producers, Producers and Scriptwriters. The Executive Producers key role is to look over the producers on behalf of the studio. They will also ensure the film is produced on time and remains within the set budget. An Executive Producer will have to have a vast and intimate knowledge of all facets of film production, marketing, financing and the distribution of films. They will be great negotiators, as they have to discuss technical standards and negotiate a budget.[1] The skill within this job role such as keeping to a deadline can easily be transferrable to another job role within the Creative Industries. For example, an Advertising Account Executive. This is a role that requires the same extent of skills such as working to deadlines, negotiating with clients and presenting a progress report throughout the process of a campaign. The same thing is required when producing a film. Today, Executive Producers will also have to have a huge understanding on how to utilise technology and social media platforms.[2]

Pre-production and production of a film is the stage of development and conception. The Producer presents a budget and expenditure to the Director. It is then the Directors responsibility for the film idea and plot to be given to the remainder of the pre-production team. This is so they have an idea to follow to ensure the film is made as accurately as possible. Actors will follow the Directors instructions upon filming the movie. The Director will create a progress report at the end of each day and also schedule the next day to film.[3] The skills of a Director can be transferred into other job roles within television or advertising if they are producing a television advertisement for example, as an advertisement is essentially a mini film. With the ever-growing advancements in technology, television advertisements are becoming more imaginative and the film quality is higher than it has ever been. Proving that advertising is becoming more competitive with the quality of their advertising.

The last steps of the film making process are post-production and distribution. This part of filmmaking requires sound and video editors, as this is when the film is finalised with the editing of scenes and the addition of the movie score. Once approved, a film distributor will distribute the film. The role of a film distributor will be to create a strategic plan on how to market the film around the world and get it released into cinemas, on television or direct to DVD depending on the film. Then it is the job of the analyst to review the ratings and the profit that is made at the box office. [4]

To ensure a film makes maximum profit it needs to be publicised and advertising plays an integral part in this, as advertisings main objective is to persuade an audience into buying a product or going to watch a movie in this case.
There are numerous transferable skills between the two industries. An example of this would be a scriptwriter and a copy-writer as both jobs require brainstorming visual and copy ideas with other members of the creative team and to of course be creative themselves. Both copywriters and scriptwriters need to have good written and interactive skills and an eye for detail.
As advertising creates mini films that appear as adverts they will hire professionals such as directors and producers to generate the ideas and visuals as well as hiring lighting, sound engineers to construct the actual advert. Actors are also hired to star in these advertisements. Sound and video editors will be required to complete the advertisement before being broadcast onto the platform they have chosen.
Once the film has been created and it is ready to be distributed advertising experts are required so as the film can be appropriately advertised to ensure maximum profit. An account manager will be hired so that their advert will come in on budget. Also, creative directors and art directors are used to create visuals for the advert as well as an account manager so that their advert will come in on budget.[5]

I will examine the some key areas within each of the 5 steps of filmmaking and the skills involved in certain roles.
In the developmental process of the film the principal job belongs to the Executive producer. They are in overall control of the quality and success of a films production. As an executive producer they must have a range of skills required for the job such as the ability to assess projects for their marketability and prospective audience appeal. They must also possess strong financial wisdom. They will also need to have up-to-date knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations, and associated procedures, including copyright, data protection and how to comply with regulatory requirements.

Qualification wise, there isn’t any required to become an Executive producer although a degree in a media related specialist would be a suitable starting point to enter into that job role. A lot of experience in the film industry is needed to become an executive producer. Knowledge of the business can come from being a producer, writer or director for a number of years etc. The executive producer will communicate closely with the scriptwriter during the development stage. The scriptwriter’s role is to construct a screenplay that in turn specifies the plot and plan for the other creative areas. The screenplay should create a story that allows the reader to envisage how the film will play out on screen. It will have to be a good idea as well as a rousing plot so that the film can be marketable and tempting to watch. Screenwriters will work to strict deadlines and work with a team for script development to create a finished product that will be financed and created. Much like an executive producer, there is no specific qualification required to become a scriptwriter but they will need to have an excessive understanding of story, plot and narrative as well as the different ways a film affect an audience.[6]

In pre-production and production the film is the responsibility of the director to creatively translate the films written script into a screen adaption. Ultimately, the director is responsible for a film’s artistic and commercial success or failure. A director has many roles for instance, during pre-production, the director makes crucial decisions such as casting actors, crew and help select locations for the film. After the selection process they will conduct rehearsals before and during the films production. The director will manage technical aspects of filming such as the camera, sound and lighting as well.
Post-production of the film requires the director to work closely with sound and video editors in order to reach the final cut of the film. There is no need for a formal qualification to become a director but there are numerous courses on directing which may be helpful. It is noted that the only way to fully master directing is through in-depth practical experience.[7]

The last stage in creating a film is post-production. This includes work from creative areas such as a sound editor. Their chief role is to manage the sound in the post-production process. Expert knowledge of sound recording and editing techniques as well as understand the relevant health and safety laws and procedures is required for this role. They require a qualification in sound production.

Each area discussed has a wide array of transferable skills into other occupational areas within the Creative Industries. They all have the ability to cross over from film into television as well as advertising that will be published using the media of film or sound for radio.

In filming, Health and Safety is an optimum concern and must always be considered. There should always be an experienced member of the crew who is aware of health and safety issues. Their there job will be to look at each set before shooting to assess the risk which may be involved, evaluate these risks and then identify the measure which are required to control the risks. One example of a health and safety concern can be a locational one, such as the weather. This could be applicable in terms of bad weather such as lightning and the risk that may pose on the film crew. Another example of location and weather would be if filming were taking place somewhere that had poor lighting and was dark, it would be appropriate to ensure that extra lighting is used and that all sharp and hazardous equipment is made safe.
The production team should discuss safety issues before filming begins and take steps to avoid or reduce the risks identified.[8]

Another essential part that comes into play with filmmaking is the legal issues. Insurance is one of the main legal formalities that are involved with it. Some of the standard insurance that is required when filmmaking, is the cover of health and safety of the cast and crew. Also, any equipment that is hired needs to be insured to its worth accordingly.[9]
Intellectual property and copyright is a key element to consider when producing a film such as protecting the creators or owners of rights by preventing others from using their work without their permission.
Business support needs to be considered when filming as a movie will require funding and this is when the executive producers skills in regards to pitching and negotiating comes into play.

References:

[1] http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/executive-producer-jobs-405700.php
[2] http://www.prospects.ac.uk/advertising_account_executive_job_description.htm
[3] http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/director.html
[4] http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/distribution/distribution
[5] http://education-portal.com/articles/Creative_Director_Job_Description_Duties_and_Salary_Information.html
[6] http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/295_executive_producer
[7] http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/758_director
[8] http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/production/health-and-safety
[9] http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/production/insurance