In the film industry, a film cannot be made by just anyone. It takes specific planning and time to get to the stage of completion. The three main stations are production, distribution and exhibition.
Production
In the production of a film, there are three stages. They're not complex but it is a good for you to have an understanding of at what stages specific filming is done.
Pre-production:
In pre-production, the video is designed and planned. The production company is created and a production office established. The production is storyboarded and visualized with the help of illustrators and concept artists. A production budget is drawn up to plan expenditures for the film.
Production: In production, the video/film is created and shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage, such as the property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors.
Post-Production: Here the film is assembled by the film editor. The modern use of video in the filmmaking process has resulted in two workflow variants: one using entirely film, and the other using a mixture of film and video.
Mainstream Hollywood Film vs. Independent Film
A mainstream film usually is funded by someone with a LOT of money. They can generally afford all stages of development and afford CGI, Music Composers, Big Cinema Reels. Mainstream films tend to be in your local cinemas such as Vue and Odeon.
An example of a mainstream film is:
'The Dark Knight'
An example of a independent film is:
'The Town'
Independent films tend to be on a low budget. They find it hard to find a well-known producer and therefore look for a cheap producer. They find it difficult to fund the stages of development and struggle to afford any type of CGI and music.
Distribution/Exhibition:
This is the final stage, where the film is released to cinemas or, occasionally, to DVD, VCD, VHS (though VHS tapes are less common now that more people own DVD players), Blu-ray, or direct download from a provider. The film is duplicated as required for distribution to cinemas. Cinemas do not profit from the film themselves, they profit from the advertisements that they show before a screening. A multiplex cinema is generally a cinema with more than 3 screens and tends to have a lot of mainstream films within; these are usually advertised for low-middle class people.
An Art House cinema is typically a serious, independently made film aimed at a niche audience rather than a mass audience. These cinemas tend to be aimed at a more high class person and instead of the typical popcorn and soft drinks that multiplex cinemas offer; it offers a bar where you can get alcoholic beverages and actual food.
Press kits, posters, and other advertising materials are published and the film is advertised.
A mainstream film will generally be distributed by a huge company. A lot of the big companies own parts of companies from the 3 stages of development and therefore will have no problem distributing it E.g. Warner who distributed The Dark Knight.
They are usually released first into Multiplex Cinemas where a lot of the public go to watch their films e.g. Toy Story 3. Once they feel they have made enough money from the film or believe it has reached its peak, they release it onto DVD/Blu-ray and generally have no problem doing so.
An Independent film will find it hard to get the funding and therefore are on the lookout for cheap producers, cheap music etc. They are usually released first a film festivals, and sometimes Multiplex Cinemas if it is designed for a specific area e.g. a film set in Basingstoke may be released in Basingstoke's Vue.
Jobs within the Media
There are a lot of jobs in the media; these are the marketing and management jobs:
Job Role
Description
Skills area
Technical
Creative
Management
Sales/ Marketing (or combined)
Marketing manager
Oversee the creation and planning of films' marketing campaigns, once Distributors have identified the target audiences and potential revenue.
Marketing/Management
Marketing assistant
Marketing Assistants are involved in the development and implementation of marketing projects and schemes related to film releases.
Marketing
Publicity manager
Publicity Managers oversee the creation and planning of films' marketing campaigns, once Distributors have identified the target audiences and potential revenue.
Management
Distribution Agent
A film distributor works to establish the largest possible release for a film. This position may be affiliated with major Hollywood studios, also known as the "majors", or with independent filmmakers. Once a film has been created, major studios or independent production companies hire a distributor agent to create a movie release plan.
Marketing
Sales Agent
Sales Agents represent filmmakers who are looking for distribution deals for their films, and who may be first time directors, or directors who work outside of studio productions.
Marketing/Sales
Sales Representative
Sales representatives generate sales so a distribution company can make a profit. Sales reps are the main point of contact for many distribution company clients.
Marketing/Sales
Logistics Manager
Logistics managers organize shipments and manage distribution center warehouse space. A logistics manager typically directs a team of warehouse workers to make sure deliveries occur on time and inventory is counted.
Marketing/Management
Film Buyer
A film buyer working for a distribution company will be responsible for identifying and acquiring all films for the company to distribute. Buyers will attend most major international film festivals and film markets because this is where films are mainly sold.
Marketing
Cinema Manager
In charge of the cinema's movies that are displayed
Marketing
Programmer
Programmes what is going to be on at a specific time
Technical
Projectionists
Puts the films onto s specific screen
Technical
Shift workers
Workers who only work at specific times associated towards the film.
Technical
Job Profiles
Marketing manager: The purpose of this role is to direct agencies (advertising, direct marketing, promotions, public relations and collateral) and respective EMEA IR Marketing staff in the development of consumer and trade communication and PR strategies which are aligned with corporate objectives of building the client's reputation highly.
Requirements: Marketing and Publicity Managers usually have higher-level qualifications in Marketing, PR, Business or subjects related to business. On the job training is crucial, and is often acquired while working at Advertising or Media Planning agencies. Prior experience in managing some other intellectual properties, such as DVDs or games, is equally useful. Writing skills, computer literacy, and a broad knowledge of film, are also desirable.
Advice for those seeking a job in this pathway: New entrants seek to find a work experience or a runner position - that way potential employers can see for themselves how talented they are and will either recruit them themselves or will recommend them to other companies. Training, is also very much on the job.
Programmer:
Programmers are responsible for selecting a suitable range and mix of films either for a specific cinema or, if they work for a film festival, for all the films shown during the festival. The work requires in-depth knowledge not only of the films that are available for exhibition, but also of their specific target audience that they are aiming for.
Qualifications/Experience:
As very few formal training schemes exist, Programmers usually progress into their role from associated administrative or Projectionist jobs in Exhibition, or from other areas of the industry. Basic management and financial experience are desirable. An interest in films is essential and key if you want to succeed in the industry.
Skills
Programmers should have a huge experience of identifying their films' audiences, and determining what is best for them. They must know whether their remit is commercially or culturally driven. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required in order to build good relationships with Distributors, whose co-operation is vital to Programmers' success. They should understand any contractual obligations, and be able to manage their own budgets. They may also need to know how to source funding.
Contract type
Definition
Example of Job this might apply to in film industry
Benefits of this type of contract
Drawbacks of this type of contract
Full-time, permanent
You work on a 39 hour a week contract, you are entitled to company benefits such as pensions, sick pay, maternity/paternity leave and holiday pay.
Distributor, Executive Producer, Cinema Manager
The wage is consistent and you always know you will have money at a specific point.
Constant shifts, not very flexible, you have to have a weeks notice if you are going to leave.
Part-time, permanent
You work less than 39 hours a week, but are still on a contract and are entitled to all company benefits but at a reduced basis according to your working hours.
Shift Workers, Runners, Studios.
You have less hours, it's more flexible and less stressful.
Not paid as much as full-time workers and it's not consistent work.
Fixed term, freelance
You are on a contract and work for a set amount of time, you will be responsible for your own arrangements in terms of holiday/sick pay etc. You will also have to take care of your own tax and national insurance.
Cinematographer, Director
Free benefits e.g. Food, drink etc. Usually a big wage due to it only being for a specific task.
Once you get paid, you won't have a job and you have to find new work. Payment isn't particular convenient as you may have to work for a year before you get paid.
Shift work
You may work irregular hours: not the usual 9-5 shifts. It may be daytime or night time.
Production Runners, Team members.
Flexible hours, convenience, less stressful.
You're not sure when you can get work and you are not particularly paid consistently.
Office hours
Traditionally these are Monday- Friday 9am-5pm and are very common for people working in administration and office-based jobs.
Administrators
Usual 9-5 hours, and you know when you are working.
Same boring job continuously, no real satisfaction.
Irregular and anti-social hours pay
This is very common in the Creative Media industries - these payments are incentives for staff to work irregular/ anti-social or extra hours beyond their normal contractual duties.
Crew, Editors.
Usually good money depending on what times they are called in.
Very anti-social as most people at night time sleep and socialise in the day.
Salaried
A set annual wage that is broken down and paid monthly in even amounts. National Insurance and Tax is deducted from the salary before pay day.
Cinema, Staff, Administrators, Distributors
Fixed payments and an idea of how much money you will earn a day, so you will get money usually monthly. You always know how much you will be paid.
You are usually taxed a lot as the government can know how much you are earning for a specific year.
On Completion
Also, quite common in the Creative Media industries, this means you are paid when your work is completed; the fee will have been agreed in your contract.
Crew, Make-Up artists
A more hands on job. Motivations to work as you know you're being paid.
If you do not finish your work you do not get paid.
Profit sharing
You may get this instead of a wage or alongside. It means you get a percentage of the money the film makes.
Directors, Actors.
More motivation to make the film as good as it can be in an attempt to get more customers.
Spoiled with greed, some workers may also feel discouraged as they know they won't get paid anything from profits.
Expenses only
Usually on low-budget films or entry roles, such as Runner. This means you will not get a pay package, but that anything you have to pay for, i.e. food/travel will be reimbursed.
Runners.
Experience working around big stars, learn contacts and usually gain free food/drink etc.
No real power to have a say in a film and is usually bossed around a lot. There is no pay in terms of money, just experience.
Working practice guidelines
Explanation
Importance of following
Consequences of not following
Non-disclosure clause
It is a legal contract between at least two parties that states confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish to restrict access to by anyone else who particularly has no need or is allowed.
It protects any type of trade secret or any information not generally known, providing a competitive advantage. It is important as a company would not want another company knowing their secrets, films they're making etc. If other companies learned what they knew, the company would not have an advantage.
If the agreement is broken, the company can terminate the contract and sue the company for breaking it and disclosing unauthorised information.
Copyright laws
Copy right gives a company or owner control and exclusiveness from others. Anything which has a copyright on their product can not be copied/distributed/exhibited as another person's own work. If found doing so, the 'copier' can be sued.
It protects you from being potentially sued and keeps you original and does not give you a bad reputation.
The consequences are that you can be sued if you pass something off as your own and profit from it.
Equality and Diversity Legislation
Equality and Diversity is different for countries but in the United Kingdom it means equality, diversity and human rights being used in society to make a company fair. It promotes equality of opportunity for all, giving people an equal shot at a job opportunity no matter if they are white, black, foreign, disabled etc.
In today's law, it is important that it is followed as it is illegal to not give equal opportunities.
If not and it is reported, the company may be sued and given a bad reputation.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety within the workforce is usually quite straight forward. It protects both the company and potential
It needs to be followed as it is as protection from law suits and injuries within the work force.
An employee may sue if it was not their fault and the company
Working with Children
Children can only work for 2 hours before they have to have a break. They also have child chaperones who decide when the child can work and when they can't.
The importance of it is so that the child does not get too stressed or tired.
If not followed, company can be sued by parents for unfair treatment of children.
BBFC
British Board of Film Classifaction. It certifies film ages and chooses whether a film is for a specific audience e.g. PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18.
The importance of it is to make sure no one of a young age can view a specific film.
If not done right, parents may complain to the companies involved with the film as to why it was certified like this.
Page heading: Sample industry contract
Using the contract template provided below, design a contract that specifically applies to one of your job role research case studies by filling in the blanks.
Contract agreement
This contract is an agreement between MeowMix (The Company) and Sam Hill (The employee) that the employee will take on the role of Programmer for the Film Production entitled: All or Nothing.
Length of employment/ Working Hours
The employee agrees to work 52 hours per week and has agreed to opt into 65 hours.
The contract is for on Full term, permanent basis.
The contract is for a Full-time position.
Commitment
The film project will last 6 months and the employee will be expected to __________ commit their time to only this project during this time.
A part from the expected roles and responsibilities of the job, the employee will be expected to partake in these extra duties and will be expected to be called upon for outside of the contracted time above for these. The extra duties may include:
____________ conferences
_______________shoots
____________ceremonies
Payment
The agreed payment for this is: ____________________ for ___________ in accordance with the BECTU/PACT agreed industry rates.
The employee can expected/ cannot expected other benefits such as:
Roles and Responsibilities:
The employee is expected to complete the job to the best of their abilities, the agreed roles and responsibilities of the job role are expressed below:
Working practice:
The copyright ownership of the film will belong entirely to the ______________, the employee may use the work only for _________________.
The employee agrees to the non-disclosure clause and understands that this means _______________________.
The employee is also up-to-date and aware of the following legislation that has been explained in full in the staff handbook:
E
H
W
B
The employee understands any breach of contract could result in ___________ ___________ and/or ____________ of employment.
Signed
_________________ (employee ) ____________ (company representative)
Page heading: Links
On your back page include some "useful links" to help students find more information about the film industry/ to search for jobs/ to find out more about jobs in the film industry/ to apply for work placements
[You can complete this after you have designed your own professional development plan]
