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NDY2 Creative Media Production

Unit 7: Understanding the Film and Television Industries

Tutors: Faustina Starrett & James McGarrigle

Students: Aisling Sweeney

Understanding the Television and Film Industries

Outcome 1: Understand the structure and ownership of the media

Sector: Television & Film: Sky & BBC

Ownership Models -

There are two different types of ownership models:

· Commercial/Public broadcasting: The main difference between BBC and Sky is that BBC is a public service broadcaster that is funded by the government; Commercial broadcasting is primarily based on the practice of airing radio advertisements and television advertisements for profit. This is in contrast to public broadcasting, which receives government subsidies and eschews most (or all) paid advertising. While Sky is a private company also known as‘digital subscription Television Company’. Non-commercial educational (NCE) television and radio exists in the form of community radio; however, premium cable services such as HBO and Showtime generally operate solely on subscriber fees and do not sell advertising.

· History of Company (BBC V’s ITN / SKY/ Independents):

· BBC: No other broadcaster in the world has had such a diverse, exciting and long history. The BBC celebrates its centenary in 2022, and this timeline maps out the Corporations life decade by decade. By mid 1923 discussions between the GPO and the BBC had become deadlocked and the Postmaster-General commissioned a review of broadcasting by the Sykes Committee.

· Sky: The present service can trace its heritage back to 1990, when BSkyB's predecessors Sky Television plc. And British Satellite Broadcasting encrypted their respective film channels – Sky Movies and The Movie Channel, which required viewers to get decoding equipment and a subscription to watch the channels. After the two companies merged, subscribers could get access to both channels, and later the sports channel Sky Sports also became encrypted. They have around 10 millions subscribers and more.

Key Players: BBC Director Generals Past & Present – The Director-General is the chief Executive Officer and the Editor-in-Chief of the BBC. He is the editorial, operational and creative leader of the organisation, with responsibility for the Corporation’s global workforce and all of the BBC's services across television, radio and online. Gregory "Greg" Dyke is a British media executive, journalist and broadcaster and is currently chairman of The Football Association. Since the 1960s, Dyke has had a long career in the United Kingdom in print and then broadcast journalism. Mark John Thompson is a British media executive and current CEO of the New York Times Company. A former chief executive of Channel 4, he is best known as Director-General of the BBC from 2004 to 2012. Tony Hall - Lord Hall of Birkenhead - was appointed Director-General of the BBC on 22 November 2012. He is the 16th Director-General of the BBC. Prior to this, Tony was Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House from April 2001 until April 2013.

Key Players: Sky Director Generals Past & Present – Rupert Murdoch: He is the founder, Chairman and CEO of global media holding company News Corporation, the world's second-largest media conglomerate, and its successors News Corp and 21st Century Fox after the conglomerate split on 28 June 2013. He formed BSkyB in 1990 and during the 1990s expanded into Asian networks and South American television. By 2000, Murdoch's News Corporation owned over 800 companies in more than 50 countries with a net worth of over $5 billion.

· Richard Branson: Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English businessman and investor. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies.

· Technologies of Production (Emerging Markets) - BBC: The BBC have the BBC iPlayer for anyone to use to catch up on different TV series/documentaries that they might have missed, this can be downloaded on to smart phones, tablets, gaming counsels that can connect to the television. BBC also have their own website to sell different merchandise to audiences ranging from Blu-Ray DVD’s to Normal standard DVD box sets of well known TV series such as Doctor who, And t-shirts from the popular show Top Gear, It also sells books too and children’s merchandise.

· Sky: In Competition with the BBC, sky has Sky+ which is a box that allows their costumers to record their favourite shows that they may have missed or want to see again, it also lets you record while watching other programmes and pause and fast forward and play back options that makes skipping advertisements more easier for the viewer. They also have an online website selling merchandise from famous shows such as Game of Thrones. Sky has an app also that allows you to see what is coming and browse new upcoming shows on Sky.

· Income Generation: BBC – BBC works alongside the government for there own income, everyone who wants the services of BBC and also who owns a Television has to pay the stranded TV license fee at £145.50 for Color TV (as from 1 April 2010). A black and white TV license is £49.But for people who want or don’t want BBC it’s an essential to pay the TV license fee everyone must pay it.

· Sky: However Sky gets their income differently compared to BBC, as sky is a private company that you have to subscribe to their services there is a fee that goes alongside with it, the price of buying the box, the channels that you want that range from Entertainment, Movies, Kids, Sports etc. Sky has many different packages that have different price ranges but for the price of their standard set-up costs €60, and per month it is €29-€83 on their website, however this depends on what Sky box you have as there are many different boxes and packages.

· Programming platforms and development of Channels / Flagship programmes: BBC- It is responsible for flagship programs like Today, Newsnight, Question Time and Panorama as well as the 6.30 regional television News programs, the BBC News website, the BBC News Channel, BBC Parliament, Radio 5Live and news on local and national radio, Also BBC has different channels such as BBC 2, BBC3 and BBC4. There well known shows such as Doctor who, Eastenders, Mrs. Brown’s Boys and many more are shown on these various channels.

Sky: Sky 1 listings include some very popular broadcasts—many imported from North America—including 24, Touch, The X-Files, Stargate (SG-1, Atlantis and Universe), Caprica, Battlestar Galactica, Bones, Lost, Fringe, Prison Break, House, The Simpsons, Glee, Lie to Me. Sky has various other program platforms such as Sky 1, Sky 2, Sky Living, Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky Atlantic, Sky News and Sky Arts.

Regulations- Self – Regulation / Statutory regulation/ Ofcom- BBC: On the Ofcom website for BBC’s regulations it states clearly “Ofcom has certain powers to regulate the BBC's license fee funded television and radio services aimed at audiences in the UK, but not the World Service which is grant-in-aid funded.  Ofcom's Broadcasting Code applies in the following areas”:

· Protection of under-18s

· Harm and Offence

· Avoidance of inciting crime or disorder

· Responsible approach to religious content

· Prohibition of use of images of very brief duration

· Fairness

· Privacy.

Sky: Also on the Ofcom website it states here for Sky’s regulation review "Sky has requested that we remove the Access Control (AC) Continuation Notice by which regulation of access to interactive services is imposed on Sky’s satellite platform. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that Sky offers access to its set-top boxes (“STB”) on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, to enable third parties to provide interactive services to end-users, such as ‘red button’ services and voting and gaming services”. Ofcom can investigate any complaint from Sky’s subscribers towards the company. Sky has their own department for regulating any compliments from costumers compared to the BBC who works alongside the Ofcom.

· Criticisms and Controversies: BBC – The BBC has had many controversies and criticisms over the number of years from 1926 General Strike to 1950 Independent television controversy, and had their fair share of criticisms during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 when they were accused of being biased. One of the main controversy that the BBC had to deal with was the Russell Brand prank telephone call, The comedian was accompanied with the chat show host Jonathan Ross who called Andrew Sachs who didn’t answer the phone and the two left various messages on the answering machine comments about the relationship between Sachs’s granddaughter, Georgina Baillie. It led to criticism and the two presenters were criticised by many members of parliament. Jonathan Ross was suspended from the BBC while both the BBC and Ofcom launched their investigations. The BBC was fined £150,000 by Ofcom.

· Sky: According to former ITV Director of Programmes and Pearson PLC Chief Executive, Greg Dyke, an investigation by the Independent Television Commission in the early 1990's, regarding BSkyB's control of its EPG (and threats to alter the BBC's listing if it ever broadcast unencrypted) discovered "something that would have been deeply embarrassing to BSkyB if it became public"- the EPG dispute was subsequently settled by BSkyB "before the ITC adjudication on our [BBC] dispute was published." Sky has also had integrations about their sports and films in the past years.

Income Generation: Sky TV - A public satellite broadcasting company, which operates throughout the UK and Ireland. SKY is the largest subscription based broadcaster in the UK with over 10 million subscribers.

Revenue

£1.6 Billion (2011)

Net Income

£11.7 Million (2010)

Employees

25,356 (2014)

Outcome 2: Understand ethical and legal constraints within the media sector

Ethical: Equal Opportunities

Equal opportunities act is the right to be treated without discrimination, that employers are committed to be treat all employees or any job applicants in the same manner but against any of the following headings:

· Gender

· Martial Status

· Family Status

· Religious Belief

· Disability

· Age

· Race

· Sexual Orientation

Employers are ensured to promote the Equal Opportunities act by:

· Preventing any form of direct or indirect discrimination and or victimization

· Promoting equal opportunities in the work place for both men and women

· Promoting equal opportunities in the work place for people of all religions and or none

· Promoting equal opportunities for people with a disability

· Promoting equal opportunities for people regardless of their age

· Promoting equal opportunities for people regardless of their race, colour, nationality or ethnicity

· Promoting equal opportunities for those with membership or non-membership in the traveller community

· Promoting equal opportunities for people regardless of their sexual orientation

· Promoting a good and harmonious working environment, where every member of staff are treated with respect and dignity, in which no form of discrimination, bullying or harassment will be tolerated under any circumstances

· Fulfilling all legal obligations under the Employability legislation and associated codes of practice.

BBC Producers’ Guidelines:

The BBC has editorial guidelines, which tell its producers the principles & practices of acting ethically, in detail. The editorial guidelines set out how producers should deal with issues such as impartiality, accuracy privacy. They also have codify the good practice we expect from the creators and makers of all BBC content, whether it is made by the BBC and whether it is for:

· Radio

· Television

· Online

· Mobile Devices

· Interactive Services

· The printed word

“As different technologies evolve, these guidelines apply to our content whoever produces it and however it is received”.

Health and Safety

The health and safety legalization is entitled to all employees working in any type of environment meaning they are entitled to their proper health and safety procedures. Employers have the responsibility and care for their employers.

Example: When doing my own projects in North West Regional College, I have been under all the health and safety laws and guidelines that are provided under the colleges’ policy. For the Pantomime project, Aladdin, I had to create a risk assessment incase of any accidents that may have occurred during the process of filming in the Millennium Forum Theatre. As the filming was done in the theatre, there are risks of falling over the stairs whilst filming the audiences’ reactions and also on the actual stage where cable wires would be located. Here is an example of my risk assessment I created for the days of shooting.

Risk

Damage

Prevention

Break Equipment

Cameras, Tripods, Battery Packs, SD Cards

When equipment is not in use ensure that it is stored in a safe, dry location. When filming near a crowd we must be smart with our placement so people don’t bump into the cameras or step on equipment.

Falling Over

Physical Injury

Working in a stage environment means that there’s a lot of opportunity to fall if unfamiliar with the environment. We must ensure that all wires are taped down or covered and we shouldn’t take shortcuts around the stage just to save time.

Electric Shock

Physical Injury

We could experience electric shock either through our equipment or through the wires around the Millennium Forum. To prevent injury we must ensure our equipment is never in an opportunity where it could get wet and ensure all wires are taped down but we should avoid stepping on them when possible.

Legislation:

Obscene Publications Act 1959: This law has governed what can be published or released in England and Wales. The class definition of criminal obscenity is if it “tends to deprave and corrupt”.

Films Act 1985: This is an act to make further provision with respect to the financing of films and for connected purposes. Where anything purporting to have been done by or in relation to that Council was done before the passing of this Act at a time when the Council was constituted otherwise than as required by law it shall be treated as not having been rendered invalid by reason of the Council’s having been so constituted.

Video Recordings Act 1984: It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or for hire within the UK must carry a classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office. The British Board of Film Classification, which had been instrumental in the certification of motion pictures since 1912, was designated as the classifying authority in 1985. Works are classified by the BBFC under an age-rated system (see motion picture rating systems);

Race Relations 1976: This was established by the parliament of the United Kingdom to prevent any discrimination on the grounds of the race. Items are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, color, nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of goods and services, education and public functions.

Outcome 3: Understand the regulation of the media sector.

Regulatory and Professional Bodies:

· British Board of Film Classification (BBFC): British Broadcast of Film Classification, ‘It provides a review of activities, classification and decisions of the Board over the calendar year.’ It’s an independent, non-governmental body that has classified videos/films/DVD since the year of 1984. In every DVD or Film that is produced you will see the BBFC review of the age that is approved e.g film could be rated 18,12,PG,G

· Television, Radio and Telecommunications Office for Communication (Ofcom): Ofcom (Office of Communications) is a government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. They often deal with mostly regulations of TV and Film. Unlike the BBC Trust, Ofcom has the ability to regulate all UK Television and radio channels like Channel 4, ITV, etc.

Ofcom's Broadcasting Code applies in the following areas:

· Protection of under 18s

· Harm and Offence

· Avoidance of inciting crime or disorder

· Responsible approach to religious content

· Prohibition of use of images of very brief duration

· Fairness

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA): This is the UKs independent regulator of advertising across all media platforms. The ASA apply all of the Advertising Codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice. They use:

· Self-regulating systems for non-broadcast advertising (https://www.asa.org.uk/About-ASA/About-regulation/Self-regulation-of-non-broadcast-advertising.aspx

Outcome 4: Know about employment opportunities and job roles in the media sector.

Job Roles:

1. Job Role Title: Advertising Art Director

Role Title: Creative

Art directors (often known in the advertising industry as 'creatives') design visual concepts for eye-catching advertising campaigns. If you are imaginative and have a flair for art and design, you might enjoy this job.

To be good at this job you will also need to be a good communicator and work well in a team. You should have resilience and the ability to work to deadlines.

To get into this job, your creativity and ability in art and design are the most important things. However, most art directors have studied design and have a BTEC HND or degree in graphic design, advertising design, illustration or fine art. Getting work experience, paid or voluntary, is the main route to getting into this job.

Entry Requirements Needed:

· Good creative design skills

· High level of artistic ability – have studied design in the past (most art directors have studied design and have a BTEC HND or degree in graphic design, advertising design, illustration or fine art.)

·

Skills, Interests and Qualities to be an advertising art director:

To be an advertising art director you should have:

•Creativity and imagination

•Good art and design skills, including an understanding of photography and printing

•Excellent communication and team working skills

•Good computer skills

•A good eye for detail

•The ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines

•Resilience and the ability to cope with criticism of your work

•Good business - sense and awareness of budgets.

Working hours, Conditions and Income:

· Your hours could vary – you would usually work Monday to Friday, but your days may often be longer than 9am to 5pm if you had deadlines to meet. The work is office-based, but you may also travel to meet clients or visit studios or locations where advertisements are being made.

· Starting salaries are often between £18,000 and £25,000 a year. With experience, earnings can be between £25,000 and £50,000. Senior creative in leading agencies can earn up to £100,000.

2. Job Role Title: Single Camera Operator (Portable Single Camera)

Role Title: Technical

Camera Operator (Portable Single Camera) is a senior role within television camera departments. The role's duties vary depending on the type of production. On high budget dramas or commercials, their main role is to support the Director of Photography (DoP or DP) and the Director, by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shot composition and development. They also cover drama productions, documentaries, current affairs and news, shooting on various tape or digital formats.

The DP usually selects by the Director, but camera Operators sometimes. 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 focus on lighting and overall visual style. While the DP and Director discuss their composition of each shot, the Operator ensures that the camera and associated equipment are ready for the required set-up, keeping an alert for any last minute changes that may occur.

Supporting the Director of Photography and the Director with shot composition and development on high budget productions 

Being responsible for all aspects of camera preparation and operation.

Requirements for the job role:

· To do this role, you will need to:

· Have artistic ability and be able to offer creative input.

· Have good color vision, and excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination.

· Have a strong affinity with technology, knowledge of the relevant electronics and an in-depth knowledge of the principles of camera work.

· Have good communication skills and show diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists, production staff and crew.

· Have good I.T skills.

· Understand the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures

Qualifications needed for Job role: 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.

If, however, you are considering taking a TV production course in higher education, the following courses have been rigorously assessed by the TV industry and awarded the Creative Skillset Tick for the high standard of education they provide and the degree to which they prepare you for a TV career.

3. Job Role Title: Gaffer (TV)

Role Title: Technical, Organisational

Gaffers are responsible for all the practical aspects of lighting sets and locations. They work closely with lighting directors in order to fulfill their creative vision for the productions lighting.

They work on all genres of television programming, including multi-camera and single camera shoots, in studios, Outside Broadcasts (OBs) and on locations. They report to the Lighting Director, Director of Photography (DoP), the lighting company or the production company

During pre-production, Gaffers discuss all lighting aspects of the production with relevant heads of department, including crewing and equipment requirements, and shooting dates and durations. They then produce a list of the required equipment and request quotations from lighting companies for consideration by the Lighting Director or Production Company. If the quotations are over budget for the production, they may suggest solutions during discussions with Lighting Directors or production personnel. Once this is all agreed, Gaffers order the required equipment from lighting companies and specify the crewing requirements.

Qualifications/Requirements need for Job:

· Have a deep knowledge of what can be achieved in terms of lighting for each production, in any particular studio or location.

· Be able to interpret lighting plans, including all aspects of the rig, scale drawings of all lamps and their positions, and what lighting gels and circuits to use.

· Have strong team-working skills, both within the lighting department and with other departments involved in the production.

· Have an understanding of all aspects of television production.

· Have knowledge of electrical theory and practice.

· Have excellent IT skills.

· Be adaptable and resourceful before and during the production process

· Be quick and logical in solving problems.

· Have good communication skills.

You must be a fully qualified electrician to be a Gaffer, with relevant City & Guilds or electrical engineering qualifications at HND.

Creative Skillset has developed a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 4 for Gaffers. City and Guilds award this qualification

You will need to keep your skills up to date with further training as television lighting technology and techniques are constantly changing.

4. Job Role Title: Social Media Manger

Role Title: Management, Creative, and Administrative

· Possesses knowledge and experience in the tenets of traditional marketing. Marketing degree is welcomed but not required with relevant work experience.

· Demonstrates creativity and documented immersion in Social Media. (Give links to profiles as examples).

· Proficient in content marketing theory and application. Experience sourcing and managing content development and publishing.

· Exhibits the ability to jump from the creative side of marketing to analytical side, able to demonstrate why their ideas are analytically sound.

· Displays in-depth knowledge and understanding of Social Media platforms, their respective participants (Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Google+Local, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest etc.) and how each platform can be deployed in different scenarios.

· Maintains excellent writing and language skills.

· Enjoys a working knowledge of the blogging ecosystem relevant to the Company’s field.

· Displays ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in written and video format.

· Exceeds at building and maintaining sales relationships, online and off.

· Makes evident good technical understanding and can pick up new tools quickly.

· Maintains a working knowledge of principles of SEO including keyword research. Highly knowledgeable in the principles of “Search and Social”.

Essential Duties:

· Manage Social Media marketing campaigns and day-to-day activities including: Curate relevant content to reach the company’s ideal customers.

· Create, curate, and manage all published content (images, video and written).

· Monitor, listen and respond to users in a “Social” way while cultivating leads and sales.

· Conduct online advocacy and open stream for cross-promotions.

· Develop and expand community and/or blogger outreach efforts.

· Oversee design (ie: Facebook Timeline cover, profile pic, thumbnails, ads, landing pages, Twitter profile, and blog).

· Design, create and manage promotions and Social ad campaigns.

· Compile report for management showing results (ROI).

Outcome 5: be able to prepare personal career development material

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisling-sweeney-581893a4?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Bibliography:

http://www.slideshare.net/k_ishii_/legislation-in-the-creative-media-industry-15099178

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/21

http://aislingsweeney24.weebly.com/year-1-assignments.html

http://aislingsweeney24.weebly.com/year-2-assignments.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Recordings_Act_1984