My personal development plans

1-year plan

For my 1-year plan I am going to complete my creative film media course to the highest mark I can get ideally distinction as I believe to aim high as possible.

After completion of my HNC course I am going to take my degree course in live music production (BSc) which will take three years to complete. While completing my degree I will be looking at getting work experience in the relevant field of work more than likely to be with Britannia row productions in twickenham.

The good part of taking the creative media film HNC course is it leads me to different avenues within film, TV and live sound production. This could lead me in to a career in either TV and film or live sound production which there are many jobs I can apply for in the future.

Job roles in the TV and Film Industry Management; creative; editorial; technical; research; financial; organizational; administrative.

Jobs in the media can be divided into two categories these are ‘creative’ and ‘non-creative’. These jobs fall under the categories Management; creative; editorial; technical; research; financial; organizational; administrative. There are also different ways people with jobs in the media can work these are shift work; fixed term; office hours; freelance; irregular pattern; hourly rates; piece work.

Management; Under management also comes financial; organizational; administrative. Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. Management oversees planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization (a group of one or more people) or effort for accomplishing a goal. Resourcing encompasses the deployment and manipulation of human resources, financial resources, technological resources, and natural resources. Different jobs available. Accounts: production accounting, financial controller. Catering: catering crew Transport: transport manager, transport captain. Production office: producer, executive producer. Casting: casting director, casting assistant. Locations: unit manager, location manager Health and safety: unit nurse, paramedics and paramedical staff Distribution: distributor, sales agent.

Accounts: Production Accounting Production accountants need to understand the principles of accurate bookkeeping and accountancy, they also need to understand the wider filmmaking process. They need strong numerical and organizational skills and be capable of communicating well with other staff such as financiers, producers and production managers, they need to be team players. The accountancy team must have a thorough knowledge of relevant government Regulations and legislation such as guild, tax and health and safety. They are responsible for ensuring that bills are paid, and they are expected to maintain financial records during production. In the UK members of the production accounting team are involved in the wider film making process and have regular communication with members of the production crew. This isn't the case in other countries and therefore production accountants in the UK film industry have strong career. Prospects around the world. Production accounting involves working with different people all the time as they receive contracts that can last anywhere from weeks to months. This means they never have a job, they receive contracts and end up travelling and work for the length of the time the film takes to be made.

Casting: Casting directors are responsible for finding actors that fit all the roles in a film. They work closely with the director and producer to understand the requirements for a role, they suggest ideal artists for each role. They arrange and conduct interviews and auditions and once the parts of the film are taken they negotiate fees and contracts with the actors. Casting Directors must have an extensive knowledge of actors and their suitability for a role. The director and producer rely on the casting director to assemble a perfect cast for the film, therefore they must have up to date knowledge on the existing talent in the acting world. They match an ideal actor to each role on experience, ability, reputation, availability and box-office appeal. Negotiation and organizational skills are important for agreeing actors' fees and arranging the terms and conditions of their contracts. Directors and Producers must be highly selective in choosing actors, and may be extremely demanding, so it is vital that Casting Directors are patient, hard-working and diplomatic always. Casting directors are usually needed for so many weeks and require most of their payment on the first day of preproduction. They usually have contracts with the film taking place. They Finish work on a film when the actors are chosen, and their contracts have been negotiated.

Financial; Finance is the science of funds management. Finance includes saving money and often includes lending money. The field of finance deals with the concepts of time, money, risk and how they are interrelated. It also deals with how money is spent and budgeted. Different jobs available: Accounts: production accounting, financial controller. Distribution: distributor, sales agent Publicity/stills: unit publicist, unit stills photographer.

Administrative; In business, administration consists of the performance or management of business operations and thus the making or implementing of a major decision. Administration can be defined as the universal process of organizing people and resources efficiently to direct activities toward common goals and objectives.

Camera: Camera Operator Camera operators support the Director of Photography and the Director, by listening to their instructions on camera shots and development. The ease with which the camera moves is key to the narrative of feature films and is the Camera Operators' responsibility. They are usually the first people to use the camera's eye piece to assess how all the elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition and camera movement come together to create the cinematic experience. The director or DoP can often request a specific camera operator who makes recommendations about the rest of the camera and grip departments. The work is physically demanding, a camera operator can be working 12-14 hours a day and some foreign travel is often required. Camera Operators usually begin work at the end of pre-production and attend the technical recess with other Heads of Department. After the Director and DoP have rehearsed and blocked the shots, the Camera Operator and DoP decide where to position the camera, and what lenses and supporting equipment to use. Camera Operators also work closely with performers, guiding them on can and cannot be seen by the camera. Some camera operators are employed full-time, but many works on a freelance basis and the job ends when filming is complete. Camera operators often work unsocial hours including evenings and weekends. A standard shooting day normally lasts about ten hours, but they could be filming at any time during the day or night.

Editorial; Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film medium used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications in various media, performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete output. Different jobs available: Editing and post production: Second assistant editor Editing + post production: The editor edits all the footage from the filming to create the film. The way a story unfolds and grabs the attention of the audience is one of the most important elements in filmmaking. To ensure that the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end, each shot is carefully chosen and edited into a series of scenes, which are then assembled to create the finished film. Editors work closely with the Director, and work long, unsociable hours, often under pressure, in an edit suite or cutting room. They are employed on a freelance basis by the Producer, based on their reputation and experience. Editors often work on television drama, as well as on feature films. Editors work closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximize the potential of the screenplay. On the first day of principal photography, Editors begin work in the cutting room (sometimes on location), looking at the previous day's footage which are developed overnight at the Film Lab and synced–up by the Assistant Editor. Editors check the technical standards, as well as the emerging sense of story, and the actors' performances. Because scenes are shot and edited out of sequence, Editors may work on scenes from the end of the film before those at the beginning and must therefore be able to maintain a good sense of how the story is unfolding. Editors select the best takes and edit them together to a create scene.

Production sound: Boom Operator Boom Operators are responsible for placing the microphone in the best position, without interrupting camera operation, or stopping actors’ freedom to perform. Clear dialogue is expected by cinema audiences, and this is usually achieved by placing microphones suitably close to the actors saying their lines. Boom Operators work on a freelance basis, and report directly to Production Sound Mixers in Production Sound Departments. They usually specialize in either film or television but may also work on commercials. The hours are long, and the work often involves long periods working away from home. They finish work when the film is completed.

Lighting: Moving light operator The Moving Light Operator controls all the or automated, lights chosen by the Director of Photography. Lighting technicians may choose to specialize in this role within the lighting department. Moving lights are computer-controlled from a console or desk. They must choose the appropriate desk for the job and programmed it to create the lighting effects required. Moving lights go on and off with different levels of complexity and patterning. They may change colour and position, and even project images. Moving Light Operators must work to the instructions of the Director of Photography but must also be able to work on their own initiative. They set up the moving lights, and programme the computer cues, which may involve working at night to get everything ready for the next day's shoot. Because the lights are sensitive, with a tendency to frequent break-downs, Moving Light Operators must ensure that the lights are continually maintained in good working order.

Research; Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method. The primary purpose for basic research (as opposed to applied research) is discovering, interpreting, and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge.

At this present time im still in the mind of working with live sound production but as time goes on and different avenues open to me and I become more freelance I would be happy to work in sound production for films and TV and possibly produce a whole sound track to either a tv show or film weather big budget or not. In 5 year’s, time I see myself carrying on working with your sound lady which is company that was set up by my friend and now im actively involved in bookings for live events and running of the company also laisse with clients on the best course of action to take with their requirements for the events whether it be a one day or one-week event.

The jobs I will be able to apply for with the live sound degree is as follows: Resident Sound Technician, Audio Technician, Sound Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Sound Person, FOH Engineer. Which gives me great scope for work experience with my HNC qualification as research shows there are many different roles in TV and film for both my HNC and BSc respectably giving me the ability to train in different fields and become an all-rounder instead of just specializing in one field of work which if I wanted to become a film director would leave me in good stead to understand every element to create a smooth working environment and understand someone else’s point of view.

Changes that have effected the industry

Before modern technology break throughs of today the cinematic studios and production companies had the power for people to break through in the industry weather you want to be an actor or director.

With technology today anyone can now create a film yes you still need the skills and help to create a film but these days anyone with a mobile device can record and upload to places such as youtube or for music sound cloud.

This has become a problem for studios and production companies with the general public being able to access software such as prem pro and lightroom through Adobe also they offer different packages for each persons needs and with the creation of the creative cloud giving people the option to save and pick up from different places around the world.

Also tech has given people the option to cut costs by using drones instead of spending out on helicopters or planes also with drones you can use them to track actors from and aerial look also in my opinion with the introduction of sports cams or go pro cams which now sell on Ebay and Wish from £20-£60 and include alot of accesories and film pretty much anywhere from water to jumping out of an aeroplane and with the option of 1080 or 4K in both the mobile device industry and camera industry and now with further development into 3D and 4D filming as well.

so what does this mean for the BFI well plainly what the BFI have done is instead of producing films or documentaries they have used there years of experience and decided to focus on funding up coming talent in the creative media sector in 2018 the BFI put in £3.16Bn to the creative media sector this was help by funding for the national lottery fund as well. this brought in a pre tax amount of over £7Bn which will be used to find the industry further.

PRESENTATION SCRIPT

J. Arthur Rank, born in Kingston upon Hull, UK, was already a wealthy industrialist through his father's flour milling business, Joseph Rank Ltd, when he made his somewhat unlikely start in film-making, financing short religious subjects in line with his Methodist beliefs. From these modest origins, the British film company emerged in 1937 as Rank sought to consolidate his film-making interests.
1938 to the late 40’s rank started to buy things very fast Odeon Cinemas was purchased Denham Film Studios were merged with the facilities at Pinewood and the Amalgamated Studios in Borehamwood were acquired, but not used for making films.UK sites of Paramount Cinemas purchased Purchase of the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, which also owned Gainsborough Pictures, 251 cinemas and the Studios. Two became part of the Rank Organization producing key films such as Odd Man Out (1947), Hamlet (1948), Vice Versa(1948) and The Rocking Horse Winner (1949).Bought for £1 million+ a 50 per cent share in a chain of 133 cinemas from New Zealander Robert James Kerridge, the biggest exhibition chain in Australasia; it was renamed Kerridge Odeon.[2] A majority shareholding in Allied Cinemas and Irish Cinemas Ltd was gained, becoming the largest exhibition circuit in Ireland (a position maintained until the early 1980s)By the late 1940’s the rank organization owned 5 major film studios 650 cinemas the UK rights to universal pictures rank screen advertising etc.(read through list)
Despite backing some excellent films, Rank was in crisis by 1949, having built up a debt of £16 million,[3] and reported an annual loss of £3.5 million.[4]Managing Director John Davis cut staff, reduced budgets and concentrated film production at Pinewood. Other studio facilities (in Islington) were closed, sold (Lime Grove Studios) or leased (Denham).[3] The Rank Organization closed Independent Producers Ltd. This led film directors such as David Lean, responsible for some of Rank's most critically and financially successful films, to look elsewhere for backing.[5]
In 1949, the company bought the Bush Radio manufacturing facility and began to diversify its interests. In the early 1960s Rank took over Murphy Radio to form the Rank Bush Murphy Group (which was eventually sold to Great Universal Stores in 1978). In 1956 Rank began a partnership with the Haloid Corporation to form Rank Xerox.[6] Rank was also a significant shareholder in the consortium which became Southern Television, the first ITV television contract holder for the south of England. In the late 1950s, Rank set up Rank Records Ltd. (the record label was named Top Rank) and Jaro Records (a US subsidiary). In 1960, Top Rank was taken over by EMI, and in 1962 they replaced it with Stateside Records. Top Rank artists included Gary U.S. Bonds, the Shirelles, B. Bumble and the Stingers, Wilbert Harrison, Skip & Flip, Andy Stewart, Craig Douglas and John Leyton.
Rank Audio Visual was created in 1960, bringing together Rank's acquisitions in multimedia, including Bell & Howell (acquired with Gaumont British in 1941), Andrew Smith Harkness Ltd (1952) and Wharfedale Ltd (1958). Subsequent acquisitions included Strand Electric Holdings (1968) and H.J. Leak & Co. (1969). In the mid and late 1970s, Rank Audio Visual made a 3-in-1 stereo music center, as well as TV sets in conjunction with NEC of Japan. The production of the "classic" Rank TV ran in the mid to late 70s, some interim models appeared and the "modern" Rank TV appeared in the early 1980s. The NEC badge did not appear in the PAL/220/240 volt countries until the mid-1980s.
Top Rank was one of the early operators of motorway service areas in the UK, opening its first services at Farthing Corner on the M2 in Kent in 1963.[7]Top Rank operated a portfolio of 10 service areas until the takeover of Mecca Leisure Group by the Rank Group in 1991, J. Arthur Rank stepped down as managing director of the Rank Organization in 1952, but remained as chairman until 1962.
In 1977 Rank appointed Tony Williams head of production[13] and over two years Rank made eight films worth £10 million, including Eagle's Wing, The Shout, The Thirty Nine Steps, Riddle of the Sands and Silver Dream Racer.[14]Many of these stories were set in the past. Few of these new Rank films performed well at the box office, losing £1.6 million over all.
After a time, Rank Film Distributors was in trouble because they hadn’t got any new product. So Rank Film Distributors was then given chunks of money to go and buy into pictures because they made a blunder. And they carried on, on that basis, not directly making them and they had no direct control over what they made at all, no influence. They just bought into pictures and did an output deal with Orion. Then the decision was made to get out of film, so RFD was closed down, Rank Film Advertising was sold off, eventually the laboratories went. Cinemas was the last one to go. Once company assets were closed the company decided to outsource for all working director’s actors to keep their overheads down and only rely on core staff.
In 1995, the Rank Group acquired all the outstanding shares of the Rank Organization. In spring 1997, Rank sold Rank Film Distributors, including its library of 749 films, to Carlton Television for £65 million and immediately became known as Carlton/RFD Ltd.[22] Pinewood Studios and Odeon Cinemas were both sold off in 2000. The company finally severed its remaining’s connection with the film industry in 2005 when it sold its DVD distribution business and Deluxe technical support unit.

SUMMARY

So, in my thinking maybe Rank spread their selves too thin by buying into different areas to keep funds coming into the company where if they stuck to their own in-house businesses and promoted those to other film producers and studios it could be that rank could still be around today. The other question to ask is why did rank not ask for help from BFI as they were founded in 1933 not only that the Radcliff report was produced which recommended that it should concentrate on developing the appreciation of filmic art, rather than creating film itself not only that in 1983 BFI received a royal charter and this was then updated in 2000 also in the same year the UK film council was setup and took responsibility in providing BFI with its annual grant.

FUTURE

With the rank organization now gone the gong man is still used to this day in TV as well as Films this is due to the fact that the rank group now own the rights. So, you may never see a new film by the rank organization on the big screen but at least a piece of history remains. There is some good news tho The BFI Film Academy forms part of the BFI's overall 5-19 Education Scheme. The programme is being supported by the Department for Education in England who have committed £1m per annum funding from April 2012 and 31 March 2015. It is also funded through the National Lottery, Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

On 29 November 2016 BFI announced that over 100,000 television programmes are to be digitized before the video tapes, which currently have an estimated five-to-six-year shelf life, become unusable. BFI aim to make sure that the television archive is still there in 200 years' time let’s hope they can do the same with film as there are so many great films in cans that need to stay alive.

Personal goal reflection

Looking at my career path and the route I have chosen into live music production I believe with the HNC course I am currently completing it will open my doors of opportunity to myself and give me a good scope for future job roles in the future.

At this present time my aim is to think about and draft a story board for my end of year presentation which will bring all the skills I have learnt from the course but it will also give me the chance to see where I can improve my work by having it critiqued by my peers from the class.

This I see will be a good thing as constructive criticism is very useful in pushing yourself forward and also to learn from mistakes made whether it be camera work, lighting or even scripts for example.

While looking at my end of year project I have relised I need to look in to long exposure as part of my final project is to have rushing traffic light traces at night. While I am completing my course, I have been looking and applying for positions both paid and unpaid work to gain experience with film and TV using the direction im looking to go in with sound and video.

During my time at collage it will give a better understanding of applications such as power point and premiere pro which will stand me in good stead for the future as to get funding for both music and film projects using power point for presentation to boards and using premiere pro for film editing and also placing music and dialogue with filmed footage. It will also help to give me the confidence to collaborate with other like-minded people to produce a piece of work to the best of my abilities but also have other people to add input to projects and get a different view on shot taking, location as well as actors and cast members to produce a great piece of work instead of and average or below average piece on my own as well as sharing work loads and not burning myself out by doing everything on my own.

After completing this course, I will be moving on to live music production BSc where this will give me a bigger range of understanding of live sound which will help in filming, theatre and festivals.

Having a good overview of where I am heading is helpful as I can change my plan depending on situations and changes also it is also good to have an outline of a 1, 5, 10 and 20-year plan just so you can set yourself achievable goals and timelines.

What I have realized throughout my old career of being a chef everyday no matter how good you plan there is always something that will come about and make you change your ideas and development plan. This is to great advantage as you have to learn to time manage and priorities tasks throughout day to day activities.