Getting started in the film industry February 16, 2012
Posted by TCG Info in : Arts & Heritage, CVs, Media, employability and skills, networking , add a comment
Guest blogger Luke Cairns, producer with Butchers Hook Video Production, shares his insight into developing a career in the film industry.
During a normal working week here at Butchers Hook Video, I’ve come to expect at least a dozen CV’s of young people interested in breaking into the film business in the UK.
Now it is widely known that getting a break in the business is difficult, so in this article I’ll attempt to address this and offer some tips I’ve picked up along my career from lowly runner to corporate video producer working with Fortune 500 companies.
The reason the film business is based on the “who you know” principle is simple – people senior to you (technicians/producers etc) need to be sure they know and can trust people in their employ – because mistakes can reflect badly on them.
In extreme cases – it can have a seriously detrimental effect on a career – as the business is relatively small and bad news travels fast. But equally – building a good reputation means your good name travels fast.
One of the most common pitfalls I see when I receive CVs of young people is a total lack of experience in the business. Now, this may not seem too unreasonable – as the CV comes from a person who has just left school or University with a newly minted academic qualification.
Now having the qualification is a big plus – but it will need to be supplemented with some real world experience. Thus the chicken and the egg scenario, fortunately there are some relatively straight forward ways to gain the necessary experience.
The very first step on the journey into the industry is to decide what specialism you want to take. If you want to break into a technical specialism (i.e. camera, sound, make up etc) the first essential is to have a good deal of experience with the equipment. For the auteur and post production people, the best method is to get creating and make a decent show reel as an absolute priority. For people interested in the production side of the business, a solid grasp of figures and the ability to network and schmooze is ideal!
After this – the next step is to get involved with as many free projects as possible in your local area. This can help people who haven’t decided what area they want to specialise in and give vital experience to everyone else. Aside from experience, the other major benefit of freebies is networking. The importance of networking to those in the industry (from producer down) can’t be too emphatically emphasised. If you happen to be working as camera assistant (for example) for a DoP on a free shoot and do a great job – the chances are you will be remembered when the DoP is working on a paid job next time.
A great resource for finding jobs on low budget films in your local area is Shooting People
After a number of freebies – you’ll have a great deal more experience and your CV will look like the kind of CV that producers want to see!
When you progress to paid shoots – here are a few minimum expectations I have for people in my employ. You need to have boundless energy and enthusiasm and stay 100% positive! A strong grasp of the technical aspects of your specialism sounds like a total given but again, need to be emphasised.
One of main ways people get into production is through the time honoured route of being a runner. Now this isn’t a pretty route – they are also the most put upon and badly paid people in the business – I found it akin to slave labour! However runners are the work horses of the industry and are vital – and pay your dues (and work bloody hard!) and it pays off.
To conclude – entry to the film and video industry is tough – but very rewarding if you work hard and know how to play the game properly!
Our Facebook page “Careers in the Creative Industries” can provide additional advice.
Our Careers: Bitesized in the Beeb December 15, 2011
Posted by Andrew Falconer in : Our Careers, Publishing , 2comments
The next post following the previous occupations of The Careers Group employees is from our Head of Content and Information, Lakshmi Hughes.
How do you get a job with the BBC within nine months of leaving university with a 2:2 in history?
Answer: You don’t… unless you have some luck, some passion and you’re prepared to put in some self-effort.
So luck first:
I had a family contact working in a CD-Rom Children’s publishing company. She needed some casual work so after university I was able to get some useful work experience and a small income. Here I learnt to do basic research, word processing skills and adjust to working a five-day week in an office.
The role was temporary so the clock was ticking to find a job. I had a vague idea about going into media but I wasn’t too sure how. I thought the only way people got jobs was through networking and word-of-mouth. I didn’t really understand how this worked so was very relieved when a friend had applied for (and got) a job advertised in The Guardian as a press officer at the National Theatre.
Shortly afterwards a role came up at the BBC looking for an online editorial assistant. The description looked interesting and matched some of my skills. I persuaded myself to apply and told myself that it was better to try and fail than not to try at all!
Following my interest:
The BBC job wanted a person with an interest in education and the internet.
I’d always loved learning and the children’s publishing house had learning outcomes for its products. I also had an addiction to BBC television. The internet was still new in the mid-nineties so my interest was based solely on a book called “The Virtual Community”. It described a digital network where people shared ideas and problems/solutions with others all over the world. It sounded amazing and something I wanted to work in.
I also realised electronic media was a less competitive area than mainstream television and that I stood a better chance of getting a “foot in the door”.
Self-effort:
It took a lot of time to fill out the application form. I concentrated most effort on the part about what made me suitable for the role and the previous employment sections. I weaved their words and requirements into these sections and highlighted the skills I had that met these.
When I got the news I had an interview I read through my application and found out more about the skills I didn’t have, such as HTML. I remember spending an afternoon in front of a computer trying to get to grips with it. I also splashed out on a suit for the interview.
Pre-interview test: my nerves were the real challenge, after much crossing out I finished the task!
At the interview three people quizzed me. After putting me at ease I was able to answer the questions spontaneously.
Outcome:
I got the job and was given an amazing opportunity to work with intelligent, skilful people for the next 15 years. I never stopped learning and worked on some extraordinary projects including setting up a Schools Online service GCSE Bitesize, BBC Four online and even the BBC Homepage.
If you are interested in careers within the media sector, our Facebook page has lots of useful information. We also have hundreds of resources on Careers Tagged. Specific information about the BBC can also be found on Careers Tagged.
Our Careers: A life in the Media November 17, 2011
Posted by TCG Info in : Our Careers , add a comment
This forms part of the Our Careers series of posts where staff from The Careers Group, University of London share their previous careers experience. Here Jenna Robinson, an Information Officer in the careers service at Kings College, London talks about her work in radio and television.
From the age of 16 I had an interest in working in the media and did so by starting in hospital radio as part of the Millennium Volunteer programme. I took on various roles in hospital radio and then local radio eventually moving on to work voluntarily at Capital FM. To gain the work experience I wrote letters and sent my CV expressing my passion for the industry, explaining what radio stations and shows I was interested in and why.
I also got a little creative and sent a tea bag with my letters and wrote on it “I can do wonders with one of these!” Cheesy I know, but I knew that in this industry I would need to make a lot of tea for a lot of people.
After working as a film reviewer, a reporter and being trained as a broadcast presenter I began looking for employment with the bigger radio players, sending them my film reviews and broadcast demos. However I was unsuccessful and only managed to land more voluntary roles. Within these roles I discovered the limitations that are put on presenters regarding what music they play, what they have to promote and the format of the show. I had been naive to think that all radio presenters had as much freedom as those at hospital stations.
After not having any luck regarding opportunities on air I decided to try another medium and wrote to television companies. I was offered a four week unpaid placement with a television production company in central London. On the placement I was a runner, which meant I ran errands and assisted on shows and basically whatever else was asked of me. I knew it was important to show willingness and enthusiasm and although hard work I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I made it clear to the company that because I did not live in London I would be unable to afford to work for the four weeks but could work for two. After two weeks they said they didn’t want to let me go and asked me to apply for the position of receptionist who was leaving, I applied and was successful and I found it an incredibly interesting role and learnt a lot about the industry. I was the first point of call in the office so I handled all the calls and face to face queries, I was also responsible for overseeing those on work experience and liaising with the runners. I was then asked to cover the role of PA to the two managing directors, which was a very challenging but equally rewarding; I was asked to stay on as the PA but my interest to join an editorial team on a programme was still incredibly rife. (more…)
“Testing Testing” – BBC Production Trainee Scheme Presentation March 1, 2011
Posted by Kirsti Burton in : Media , comments closedOriginally posted at QM Jobs Blog
I walked to the station with Hettie from last night’s BBC Presentation and we were talking about how they had over 4,000 applicants for the few places on their Production Trainee Scheme last year, and expect even more this year.
Naturally I asked how you can increase your chances in getting a place, and there were two top tips.
Practise your Verbal Reasoning.
One of the things that catches most people out is they haven’t prepared to be tested in such a way. Your careers service will be able to give you a similar test to the one the BBC use – under timed test conditions, or in your time. It is a good idea to practice both ways.
They will also have books and can recommend resources so you can practice a wide range of questions. There are some useful links here too.
Think of your narrative.
The BBC aren’t expecting you to have loads of experience of directing, producing etc. Instead they are looking for you to demonstrate that you have comparable skill sets that they can enhance through the 18 month programme.
Think about your experiences both as part of your degree and extra curricular. Have you organised a concert? Been involved in the student media? Have you organised a sports tour, and got it sponsored? Have you raised money for charity?
Look at everything you have done and start to look at how you emphasise the positives of your experience. Even if something you’ve been involved in hasn’t worked out, perhaps you can look at the learning experiences from that.
Full details of the BBC Production Trainee Scheme can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/pts and applications begin from 1st March 2011 and close 14th March 2011.
James Weaver
Employer Liaison & Events Officer
Our Careers: BBC Web Editor February 16, 2011
Posted by TCG Info in : Our Careers, arts administration, employability and skills , add a commentThe Careers Group was very lucky to have attracted former BBC web editor Lakshmi Hughes to become our Head of Content and Information. Lakshmi continues our series where colleagues share their career experience.
How do you get a job with the BBC within nine months of leaving university with a 2:2 in history?
Answer: You don’t… unless you have some luck, some passion and you’re prepared to put in some self-effort.
So luck first:
I had a family contact working in a CD-Rom Children’s publishing company. She needed some casual work so after university I was able to get some useful work experience and a small income. Here I learnt to do basic research, word processing skills and adjust to working a five-day week in an office.
The role was temporary so the clock was ticking to find a job. I had a vague idea about going into media but I wasn’t too sure how. I thought the only way people got jobs was through networking and word-of-mouth. I didn’t really understand how this worked so was very relieved when a friend had applied for (and got) a job advertised in The Guardian as a press officer at the National Theatre.
Shortly afterwards a role came up at the BBC looking for an online editorial assistant. The description looked interesting and matched some of my skills. I persuaded myself to apply and told myself that it was better to try and fail than not to try at all!
Following my interest:
The BBC job wanted a person with an interest in education and the internet.
I’d always loved learning and the children’s publishing house had learning outcomes for its products. I also had an addiction to BBC television. The internet was still new in the mid-nineties so my interest was based solely on a book called “The Virtual Community”. It described a digital network where people shared ideas and problems/solutions with others all over the world. It sounded amazing and something I wanted to work in.
I also realised electronic media was a less competitive area than mainstream television and that I stood a better chance of getting a “foot in the door”.
Self-effort:
It took a lot of time to fill out the application form. I concentrated most effort on the part about what made me suitable for the role and the previous employment sections. I weaved their words and requirements into these sections and highlighted the skills I had that met these.
When I got the news I had an interview I read through my application and found out more about the skills I didn’t have, such as HTML. I remember spending an afternoon in front of a computer trying to get to grips with it. I also splashed out on a suit for the interview.
Pre-interview test: my nerves were the real challenge, after much crossing out I finished the task!
At the interview three people quizzed me. After putting me at ease I was able to answer the questions spontaneously.
Outcome:
I got the job and was given an amazing opportunity to work with intelligent, skilful people for the next 15 years. I never stopped learning and worked on some extraordinary projects including setting up a Schools Online service, GCSE Bitesize, BBC Four online and even the BBC Homepage.
New Facebook pages – Careers in the Media and SICS September 30, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : Media , 1 comment so farJust like buses, none for ages then suddenly two at once:
Careers in the Media
This page is for anyone interested in a career in Television, Radio, Film, Journalism or Publishing. It will be updated regularly with jobs (for students and graduates, mostly in London), links to other opportunities and resources, and careers tips from employers.
If you post up any questions you have or feedback, one of our advisers or information officers will get back to you.
SICS: Specialist Institutions’ Careers Service
This page is for users of the SICS services, undergraduates, postgraduates and research staff from the following institutions:
Birkbeck, University of London; Heythrop College; The Institute of Cancer Research; Institute of Education; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Marine Biological Station, Millport; Royal Veterinary College; School of Advanced Study; School of Pharmacy; St George’s, University of London; University of London Institute in Paris.
It has information about the service, careers advice sessions and upcoming events. Again, if you have any questions about SICS you can post them here.
We ♥ Facebook.
Competition: Educating your MP August 28, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : Politics and Policy , add a commentJust heard about this unusual competition for current students interested in the media, communications and/or policy. It comes from EURIM – the Information Society Alliance, whose members include parliamentarians, officials and industry.
The aim of the competition is to produce 3 minutes of material that gives a clear vision of the issues they need to balance when putting forward new policies that depend on the timely use of accurate information… The aim is to inform and educate the target audience of politicians and policy makers of the ‘Basic Principles’ of Information Governance.
The prize is simply the enhancement of your own reputation and CV, but the winner’s work will widely circulated amongst parliamentarians and policy makers, so this will be a significant boost and networking opportunity.
As I said, it is an unusual competition, and you will have to invest a little time reading the materials to get to grips with it, but in the end you only need to make a three minute item, there is plenty of time until the closing date, and these sorts of things often don’t get a lot of entries…
For more details see here.
