Technologies in the TV Industry.........
Television has evolved. It has grown away from out-dated technologies, and has been digitalised. The expansion of television has granted the viewers unlimited choice of programs, broadcasted on hundreds of channels.
Though television has evolved, analogue/terrestrial channels are still watched by a large amount of people. These channels include the BBC, ITV, channel 4 and channel 5. Though these channels are available to anyone who has bought a television set, they don’t attract the mass audiences they used to enjoy a generation ago. Shows like Coronation S
treet and East Enders help increase the viewing numbers of these channels, but they no longer command the respect of the entire country.
“A generation ago the United States had 3 main networks; due to a lack of choice each network had a mass audience.” (Rupert Murdock, www.avfc.co.uk)
A new type of revolutionary technology is Freeview. This service provides viewers with up to 48 channels and 24 digital radio stations to entertain a wide range of viewers. Freeview has better sound and picture quality compared to standard terrestrial channels. Freeview is a product of the digital UK revolution. 1.
Satellite television services like Sky and Virgin media are taking the world by storm. Their massive variety of channels and programmes gives niche audiences the chance to break away from main stream viewing, a
nd enjoy programmes which they want to watch. In the year of 2007, households with satellite subscription reached an all time high of 85% of the general British public. 2.
“It has taken us to an exciting new world where consumers like you are determining what content you want, when you want it and how you want it” (Rupert Murdock, www.avfc.co.uk)
Of course, since terrestrial viewing is becoming obsolete, digital television is beginning its complete take over. According to the figures of the BBC, the take over has already begun on the Scottish border, it will slowly work its way down our country, until it finally reaches London in 2012. There is no exact date yet, because we will not receive an exact date until 6-8 months before we are scheduled to turn. 3.
What’s even more amazing than digital television is the evolution of digital television. New services like Sky+ and BT vision allow their audiences to record their favorite programmes, whilst watching other shows, and give the audience the power to pause live television. These subscription services are not cheap though, after a prior investment in the technology of the service (e.g. the sky+ box) viewers has to purchase a satellite and pay monthly for their service. The price is the main thing that is dissuading the rest of Britain from joining this community.
Television interaction is also a revolutionary feature. Shows like the X-factor and Britain’s got talent, allow the viewer to pick up their remote, and press the red button to vote for the person they want to keep in the show. This feature allows the audience to feel closer to the programmes stars, and gives them the feeling that they are in control over the outcome of the competition. One particularly good example is ITV smash hit drama Echo Beach, this new type of programme filmed 3 alternative endings to the show, and asked the audience to vote for the one they wanted to see the most.
Television and internet services were always going to clash, so the BBC took hold of the situation and turned it to its advantage with the creation of the iPlayer. This technology is an online catch up service for viewers who have missed one of their favourite shows or radio broadcasts; the service is free, making it accessible to all of the BBC viewers who have a computer. The iPlayer service does not require you to have a television license, you will need to be covered by one however when you stream live television shows from the internet. 2.
Another online television service, which has accumulated a large amount of success, is www.apple.com/uk . Here, internet users are allowed to purchase television series and films, to download to their computers. This service is useful to viewers, because again, you don’t need a television license to pay for these television series. Another handy feature is that you can then put these series from your computer, onto your ipod or mobile phone, allowing audiences to watch their favourite shows on the go. 5.
Image taken from www.google.com
The mass audiences of the past have been fragmented into niche audiences, these audience watch channels which appeal most to them. This effect has practically destroyed the mass audience effect on television. Television specials like Big brother and Strictly come dancing usually attract smaller versions of the mass audiences, but the majority of viewers stick to their favourite programmes, whether they show music videos, news, documentaries, fashion etc. The option of specialist channels aimed at certain members of the public has severed these mass audiences, creating the niche audience.
Advertisers are going to have to change their tactics because of this, they are no longer guaranteed that a mass audience will see their advertisement, because the mass audiences have been broken down. Though this is a disadvantage for the advertising companies, it also proves as an advantage. It’s much easier for them to find an audience which their product is targeted at. For example, toy companies will have much more success placing their advertisements on channels like Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network, than a channel like Wedding TV.
“If an advertiser like Ford wanted to reach the viewers, all it had to do was run a big ad on one of the networks and they were guaranteed a mass audience” (Rupert Murdock, www.avfc.co.uk)
Sky is a massive television entity. Its technologies have revolutionised the television industry, it was the first service to offer pay-per-view services, the first to offer recording options of your channels, the first to pause live television, and the first to create specialist HD channels to improve popular programmes like Lost dramatically. Sky’s website contains topical news, which is relevant to every member of the British public, and has its own version of bbc’s iPlayer called “Sky player”, which does the same type of thing, it allows, people, to download their favourite shows and films, and offers a catch up service to viewers who may have missed their favourite show. The future for sky seems secure. Whilst being a television provider, it also provides phone services and broadband, combining these 3 things seems to secure sky a solid place in leading the future entertainment of the planet.
Funding in the TV industry...
The BBC has always been the pioneering head of broadcasting advancement. By being created to serve the public, providing television shows which both inform, educate and entertain their audience, they also had to be funded by their public audience, hence, the creation of public service broadcasting.
The PBS system is incredibly important to British viewers, since the system is funded by the public, it is generally controlled by the public, the major advantage of this is that there is no single owner of the broadcasting system, calling the shots. The system is run by a board of governors, who represent the British public, and make democratic decisions on all aspects of the BBC.
“For decades our public service broadcasting system has delivered high quality, UK produced programming, from a number of providers, across a range of genres, reflecting the cultural identity of the UK” (Ed Richards, www.ofcom.co.uk)
The public service broadcasting system summarises British culture, the system creates programmes which will have an effect on us, and our community. Hopefully this system will be full integrated with the digital change over, and will continue to produce programmes, which enrich British lives with a sense of culture and pride.
Though the BBC and public service broadcasting are the favourites of the nation, there is a rising power in television, which threatens to eclipse PBS. Subscription television is the innovating new digital technology, which has taken the nation by storm. The introduction of subscription also signalled the exit of mass audiences.
The most appealing feature of the subscription system is the massive variety of channels for the viewers to pick from. The niche audiences are given channels which the system knows they will want to view. There are different types of subscription broadcasting for viewers to choose from, the majority of people either choose a Sky+ subscription or a Virgin media subscription. These satellite television giants offer the largest variety of options to its viewers, and have various price plans for their customers to pick from. The subscription payment method is quite simple; you pay monthly for the satellite services and any money on top for using the provider’s pay-per-view services. A clever move made by both Sky and Virgin, was the introduction of their broadband and phone services. Here, the providers will start offering commuters bundle packages when they sign up for their digital television service, they can receive their phone and broadband services from the same provider. This ensures Sky and Virgins future, by collecting more customers in their different technological services.
“It’s so easy to understand – that’s the genius of it” (Ross Kemp, www.digital-tv-online.co.uk/sky.html)
A similar type of broadcasting is pay-per-view. Though this is similar to subscription, there are a wide variety of differences. For instance, pay-per-view is usually a one of payment, in which you will be allowed to view a special event, or a film you have just paid for through your television.
Pay-per-views real triumph is in America. The service has been used cleverly by television broadcasters, to get people to pay through pay-per-view to see a special event. Big sports in America like Football, Basketball, Boxing and even Wrestling draw a massive audience, and the only way to see the event of your not there, is to watch it through pay-per-view.
Sponsorship is a large up and coming market in television. The technique is being used in programmes to appeal to people who the television corporation think will be watching the show. For example, it would be more applicable to advertise Black and Decker tools on a television show like Extreme Home Makeover, than to advertise something like my little pony toys after every episode of a programme like Prison Break. These companies like to associate with appropriate programmes, to make sure that if a viewer sees the programme and the advertisement, every time that person watches the programme, they will think about the advertiser, without the advert having to be there.
But with the introduction of Niche audiences and the exit of mass audiences, the advertising companies are no longer guaranteed a mass audience, so they have had to change tactics. Though the exit of mass audiences was a significant disadvantage in the eyes of advertisers, it was also an advantage. The introduction of Niche audiences, meant that advertisers knew which channels would appeal to which viewers, and if those viewers would be interested in their product. For example, toy companies are more likely to advertise on channels like Cartoon Network and the Disney channel, than channels like Dave or Scuzz.
Product placement is a legitimate advertising technique in America, by using product placement, advertisers help incorporating the image of the product to that certain programme. For example, if a hit TV show like 24 needed computers for their programme, they could cut a deal with a massive computer manufacturer, such as apple, here they could cut the cost of the computers, and get the shows star; Jack Bower, to only use apple software.
This effect will cause the audience to want an apple product, and merge the programmes image with apple.
Though this does help the program, this technique is not popular with the audience.
“The viewer does not want to feel like the script has been written by the commercial marketing director.” (Andy Burnham, www.guardian.co.uk)
The presence of advertising in a program usually annoys most audiences; they don’t appreciate seeing blatant advertising in their favourite programs.
OFCOM rules state;
“Companies are not permitted to pay broadcasters to have their brand or products included in a programme. This is called product placement.”
7.2: Know about job roles in the television and film industry.
I have created Four separate organizational charts to show the different creative and non creative jobs roles in television and film. In film, the creative and non creative departments vary from: Accounts, Art, Camera, Casting, Catering, Construction, Costume, Direction, Distribution, Editing, Exhibition, Hair and make up, Health and safety, Lighting, Locations, Music, Performing, Production sound, Production office, Props, Publicity/stills, Script and Transport.
Non creative roles in TV:
Lighting:
Lighting director: The lighting director is the most senior role in televisions lighting department, the role of the lighting director is to manage his department, whilst using the script or brief given by the production team to design the specific look for the shoot. As a good understanding of production is required to be a lighting director, the typical career routes for a lighting director, ascend from camera operators, gaffers or console operators.
Gaffer: Gaffers work across all genres of television, they report to the lighting director or the production team. They are responsible for all practical aspects of lighting sets and locations, they collaborate closely with lighting directors in order to fulfill the directors creative vision. Gaffers may be full time employees at broadcasting facilities, lighting companies or just freelance workers.
Sound:
Sound supervisor: Sound supervisors are usually studio based, and contribute to all current programming. They are usually in charge of a small team, which is likely to include sound technicians, boom operators etc.
Boom operator:Boom operators play an important role in the sound department, they usually work closely with other department members, such as sound supervisors, to achieve the best quality recording. Good, clear audio is the boom operators ultimate goal. Boom operators are expected to work irregular hours, often on location, spending long periods of time away from home.
Studio and broadcasting technology:
Transmissions engineer: Transmission engineers supervise the transmission of all genres of television programming, working in Master Control Rooms. Key skills include, advanced electronic engineering skills, advanced IT skills etc.
Network operator assistant: Network operations assistants co-ordinate the movements of program materials in and out of satellite and cable broadcasting organizations.
Vision mixer: Vision mixers work across all genres of television, which are either transmitted live, recorded as live or pre-recorded in multi camera environments. His main task is to cut, wipe or edit programs about to be aired, acting as a directors second pair of eyes. The work is usually freelance.
Creative roles in TV:
Art:
Art director: Art directors work on certain television productions, like long running series e.g supernatural or on advertisements. In television, they are responsible for keeping within the art departments budget, maximizing what they can do with the allocated funds, and to timetable the work coming out of the art department. Art directors on large scale television usually need a degree in either art, architecture, theatre, interior or 3D design.
Assistant art director: Assistant art directors are usually personally chosen by the art director, and work on a freelance basis on television productions. The hours are long, and the job may involve working long periods away from home. An assistant are director's duties vary from scale of production, on smaller pieces these duties would include creating props and models, art department research. On larger productions, if its required, the assistant art director will help design and create large and complicated sets.
Performers:
Actors: The role of an actor, is to interpret other peoples words, and work to bring a script to life. Most actors are expected to be able to perform across all forms of entertainment, from television, to plays, to radio voice overs. Actors must be infinitely adaptable, portraying a vast number of different characters, over a short period of time.
Stand-up comedian: Stand-up comedians usually write, direct and perform their own material. These comedians must be able to formulate their own ideas and act quickly on stage if anything goes wrong. Key skills include, excellent writing ability, a good memory for material, good communication etc.
Stunt performer: Stunt performers are hired to replace actors during dangerous scenes of the shoot, or pieces which require a specific skills, e.g. diving, martial arts. Stunt men are usually highly trained, experienced and qualified professionals.
Camera:
Camera operator :Studio/outdoors camera operator is a senior role in television, but precise responsibilities vary between scale of production. A main task for a camera operator is to make sure all camera's and associated equipment is properly rigged and prepared for the required shoot.
Camera assistant: Camera assistants work along side camera operators, and offer their support to these senior members of television. Assistants have more important jobs than trainee's, like swinging a camera crane. Assistants learn crucial practical and technical tasks, which will help them progress to more senior roles.
Lighting camera: Lighting camera persons have the most senior filming role in the television industry. As their tasks is to successfully interpret the directors vision for the program and use their advanced skills in lighting and camera work to produce and capture the desired moving image.
Non-creative roles in Film:
Transport:
Transport manager: Transport managers are in charge of all large vehicles on the film set. The mains tasks for the manager, is safely monitoring the transportation of all equipment and props, to and from the set.
Transport captain: The transport captain is responsible for the daily transport schedule for all key cast and crew members. The people in these roles need to have excellent time keeping skills, they must have good leadership and need to be adaptable.
Driver: Drivers are responsible for driving, and looking after cars which have been hired from a facilities company for use during the shoot. Throughout the shoot, they are responsible for maintaining the vehicles safety and cleanliness. Drivers work very long hours as they are usually the first to arrive on set, and also the last to leave the location. Drivers need to have experienced driving skills, and need to be comfortable driving large vehicles long distances. They will be working as part of a larger team, so communication skills are also necessary. Heavy lifting is often also part of the job description, so physical strength is necessary.
Lighting:
Lighting technicians: The lighting technicians provide the required power and light for the film. The responsibilities of a lighting technician vary due to the size of the production, in some cases, the technician needs to be experienced in a variety of other skills.
Gaffer: The gaffer is in charge of the electrical work on a production, leading a team of technicians who install lighting equipment and deal with power supplies. The gaffers key responsibility is concerning health and safety, they conduct risk assessments and certify electrical safety of the set. The gaffer must be imaginative and needs high-level technical skills, proven through years of experience, the gaffer must also have strong problem solving and leadership skills.
Console operator: The role of a console operator in the lighting indusrty, is one option an experienced lighting technician can choose to specialise in. In production, console operators control the generic, conventional or fixed lights on a film set. Console operators must have skills in I.T and maths, as they have to transmit instructions to the lighting, through numbers. They should be quick thinking members of staff, and need to be able to creatively interpret ideas.
Construction:
Plasterer: Plasterers in film production are experienced craftsmen, with traditional solid plaster abilities. A plasterers role in film is widely varied, and contributes dramatically to the look of the finished film. Plasterers need to be efficient in all areas of plastering, they need the creative flair to create realistic props and materials.
Charge hand rigger :Charge hand riggers are responsible for managing a gang of riggers on certain rigging projects, they must ensure the work is carried out, to meet deadlines, and to correspond with all health and safety codes. Charge hand riggers need to be skilled in areas of management, as their main task is to comfortably manage a gang of riggers, effectively.
Construction manager: Construction managers supervise the construction of sets and stages for film productions. The manager has to lead a team of various construction workers, and make sure all deadlines are met within budgets. They need excellent organizational skills and management skills. The managers are responsible for interpreting and realizing production designers visions. A manager needs excellent leadership, as the work is usually largely complicated and large scale co-ordinating of staff. Managers need to have either an an advanced construction award, or a CITB level 4 NVQ in carpentry and joinery.
Creative roles in Film:
Art:
Production designer: Production designers may be asked to look at a script before a director has seen it, to provide estimates for the art department. When a production designer first reads a screenplay, they will assess the visual qualities that will help to create an atmosphere and bring the story to life. Acting as the head of the largest department in the filming industry, the production designer needs to have experience in jobs such as, Draughtsman, an assistant art director and experience as an art director.
Concept artist: Concept artists create the illustrations to help the production director realise his vision for the film. They usually work on big budget sci-fi, fantasy or historical films, where visual and special effects are designed to create creatures/monsters or imaginary landscapes.
Storyboard artist: Storyboard artists are tasked with translating screenplay scripts from a written format, to a comic book style. The two reasons for these comic formats are: they help the director realise his vision, and they also help illustrate to the other heads of departments how things should look.
Graphic artist: A graphic artists main role in the filming industry, is to create props for the shoot. Things included in the shoot, such as, money, newspapers or magazines etc. Are cleverly reproduced by a team of graphic artists. The role of a graphic artist is extremly creative, but work is sporadic, as they are needed in all industries, film and TV alike. They work on a freelance basis.
Filming:
Director of photography: Directors of photography are the key leaders in the filming department, as the role is the most creatively challenging role on set. The main use of this role is to provide the film with its own unique identity or "look".
1st assistant camera: The role of the first AC requires the most skilled crew members to successfully do the job. The first AC has to focus and refocus the lens as the actors move in and out of shot, they use their skill and instinct to get the most out of each shot.
Stedi-cam operator: Steadi-cam Operators are responsible for the technical set-up of the Steadi-cam system and for balancing the camera on it. They liaise with Director, and other various members of the cast and crew to perfect the required shots. The work closely with the 1st Assistant Director to make sure that the choreography of the shot runs smoothly.
Camera trainee: The camera trainee's work closely with all members of the filming department, in an attempt to gain experience from observing the department in action. Camera trainee's work most specifically with the 2nd assistant camera man. The degree of responsibilities for the camera trainee vary from making tea's for the rest of the department, to handling lenses, filling out camera reports and eventually loading and downloading film magazines. Camera trainee's require a willingness to learn, an enthusiasm for the job, good communication skills and the willingness to perform maniacal tasks when necessary.
Direction:
Director: The director is the foreman of a filming production. His role is to guide the rest of the departments of filming, towards the finished product. The director is involved with every aspect of the film, liaising with the heads of each department. A director requires in-depth years of practical experience, though, he doesn’t necessarily need any qualifications. The director is responsibly for nearly every aspect of the film, from the script, to the editing, is personally overseen by the director.
1st assistant director: The First AD acts as the right hand man of the director, he takes responsibility for a multitude of practical tasks, allowing the director to focus his attention on other things. A main duty of the First AD, is to assist the director, with the co-ordination of all shoots, assembling cast and crew.
Runner: The runner is the entry rung on the ladder of filming production. As the name suggests, runners roles in the industry are first and foremost, to run any type of errand assigned to them. Many of the most successful directors and producers of the modern day, started out as runners.
Music:
Composer: The composers main duty in the filming industry is to write music, that is fit for the theme/genre of the film, and which follows the directors vision.
Music supervisor: The main role of the music supervisor, is to act as a mediator between production teams and composers. They recruit and contact musicians, book recording studios and organizing orchestras.
Music agent: Music agents are tasked with representing their clients. Finding them work on films and television is the key objective for the agent. They maintain relationships with producers and directors, keeping their clients up to date with any openings.
Working Patterns:
Shift work - Shift work was designed to work on the 24 hour clock, rather than a standard working day. The term shift work includes both long-term night shifts and work schedules in which employees change or rotate shifts. Working in catering for example, is shift work, as the services need to be open 24 hours, but one person cannot work for 24 hours, hence working in shifts.
Fixed term – To be a fixed term employee you must have an employment contract with the business you work for. Your employment contract must end on a particular date, after a certain event or on the completion of a task, to class as fixed term. An example of this occupation is a construction manager on a film set, their contract would usually end after a certain time period, or when the sets they have built are completed.
Office hours – The stereotypical example of office hours is the classic 9am – 5pm scenario. Here workers sit behind desks, and are paid for the hours that they have worked. An example of this job is an accountant, as they are paid for the hours they have put in behind their desk.
Freelance – A “freelancer” is a self-employed person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any employer. A freelance agent can work for multiple employers at the same time, and payment is varied for freelance work, as they might charge by the day, hour or per-project basis. One type of freelance work in film and television is a camera operator, as he could be employed by a number of different companies at the same time, and can charge per project he has completed.
Irregular pattern – An employee for a filming company, such as an actor, may have an irregular shift pattern. As some scenes may require the actor to be on set at 3am, where as other times the actor maybe called upon in the middle of the day to shoot a different scene. Most irregular shift pattern workers are paid by their hours of work, though their sleeping pattern is also interrupted by their varied work hours.
Hourly rates – Similar to office hours, the employee is paid for each hour they have worked that day. But unlike office hours, a typical 9-5 routine is not necessary, the working hours for these employees maybe irregular and random, a structured routine is not required, as they are paid for each hour of work. A hourly rates role in film and television could be a boom operator.
Piecework – Piecework is uncommon in the modern day work place, though it is still sometimes seen today. The basis of piecework is that the worker is paid per piece of completed work that he hands in to his boss. For example, a storyboard artist would be paid for each new scenes storyboard that he has produced.
7.3: Understand contractual. legal and ethnical obligations in the television and film industries.
We started this section in the course with an ethical view on representation. Each group took a group that has been stereotyped and represented in the media inaccurately. The groups then created a powerpoint presentation, which we then delivered to the class, on the representation of our chosen minority groups. We decided to do our presentation on the representation of black people in the media and film. To view the presentation that we created, click on the presentation below. We also created a video from other peoples reactions and responses to the questions we asked about how they felt black people were represented in the media and film, this is also in the presentation.
7.4: Be able to prepare personal career development material.
Camera Trainee:
My main role is to see to the needs of the camera department, and more specifically the 2nd camera assistant. I am basically a runner, but only for the filming department. My tasks vary from making coffee's or tea's for the members of the department, to eventually moving on to more responsible tasks, like packing up and transporting camera equipment, thing's like lenses.
There is no required training before my job, as my main goal from the job i do, is to learn from the 2nd assistant camera operator, and gain the experience from watching the department at work, do eventually move up a rung on the filming ladder. Though if i wished, i could attend a film and television freelance training course, as this extra qualification may have singled me out from the rest of the potential runners. But it is essential that i have a basic understanding of filming and photographic process, upon which to build my knowledge and experience on.
I have been in the job a few months now, and i have been trusted with loading and downloading film magazines after the shoot. This is the height of my tasks, as the money spent creating the scene and setting everything up, will be lost if i somehow managed to drop the magazine.
The most interesting problem in my job, is usually adapting to the busy rush of the filming department, i need to make sure that i deliver the right things to the right people, and send the right messages to the right recipients, i need to adapt to this lifestyle if i am going to pick up any experiences that are going to benefit me later on in my filming career.
D1, D2, D3
Distinction for first three levels, last task to be completed when set.
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