The document provides information on various job roles in the media industry categorized by management, creative, editorial, technical, financial, and administrative roles. It defines key terms related to employment in the industry such as shift work, fixed term contracts, freelance work, and hourly/piece rates. It then provides more detailed descriptions and typical qualifications for specific roles such as casting director, location manager, armourer, graphic artist, and gaffer.

1. JOB ROLES IN THE MEDIA
Beth Higgins

2. CATEGORISED JOB ROLES
Job sector Job Role
Management Casting Props dept.
Location
Creative Producer Script
Direction Hair and Make-up
Art Dept. Music
Camera Performance
Costume
Editorial (post – production) Editing and Post Production
Technical Camera
Lighting
Financial Accounts
Administrative Distribution

3. KEY TERMS
Key Term Meaning
Shift work Shift work a pattern of work which is designed to
include all 24 hours of the day. People on shift
work are often required to rotate their shifts
regularly, for e.g. one month they may work 12pm-
8pm and the next, 8pm-4am.
Fixed term A fixed term contract is a contract of employment
that expires on a specified date decided prior to the
signing of the contract.
Office hours Office hours is simply the amount of hours a
specific work place is open.
Freelance A freelance worker is self employed and does not
have continuous employment, but is employed for
specific projects.
Hourly rates Employees who work on an hourly rate are paid a
set amount for the amount of hours they work, and
any overtime they do, allows for extra pay according
to the number of hours extra they work.
Piece work Piece work is paid according to the quantity of
products created for a certain project.

4. MANAGEMENT: CASTING
• Casting Director
• Casting Assistant
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5. MANAGEMENT: LOCATION
• Unit Manager
• Location Manager
• Assistant Location Manager
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6. MANAGEMENT: PROPS DEPT.
• The Properties Dept.
• Property Master
• Prop Maker
• Armourer
• Greensman
• Props Storeman
• Dressing Props
• Standby Props
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7. CREATIVE: PRODUCER
“NOT ONLY HANDLING THE FINANCIAL SIDE BUT
ALSO THE CREATIVE DRIVE BEHIND IT”
The role of a producer is to transform storyline ideas, into the next big blockbusters, making sure
there is a profit made. There is a lot of pressure on the producer’s shoulders as they are the ones
who have to create an environment in which the cast and crew working on the project can work
as creatively and effectively as possible. The producer plays a role in every stage of the film’s
creation:
Development – responsible for coming up with the baseline of the story, as well as finding the
script writer and the rights needed in order to create the film (if the film is a remake of a classic,
a storyline from a book etc.)
Pre-Production – responsible for assisting the executive producer in raising funds for the
project. They also work closely with other creative members of the team e.g. directors,
cinematographer etc.
Production – In charge of approving all changes during the project, e.g. script changes, budgets
etc.
Post-Production – Involved closely in the distribution and financial aspects once the film is
made.
A good producer has aspects such as being a good: businessman, negotiator, motivator etc. No
specific qualifications are needed to become a producer. Although many colleges do provide
courses in film producing, it is hard to provide anyone with every skill needed in becoming a film
producer. They need experience and persuasion in order to convince financers that their money
will end up making a profit if they invest in the said project.
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8. CREATIVE: DIRECTOR
“PRODUCER NEEDS TO SECURE DIRECTOR WITH
GOOD REPUTATION”
Similar to the writer sometimes approaching the producer with an idea, this
can apply to the director, however the majority of the time, it is the producer
who will approach the director once they have their ideas. It is often in the
best interest for the producer to look for a director who is well known as this
will help to attract the interest of better writers and chances for financing of
the film as people will know if they like previous films directed by said
director and will happily have input on a similar film. Every director has an
agent who will be in charge of their professional lives and these agents take a
percentage cut of whatever the producer offers the director.
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9. CREATIVE: ART DEPT.
• Art Dept. Overview
• Production Designer
• Art Director
• Supervising Art Director (Assistant, Standby)
• Set Director
• Production Buyer (Assistant)
• Concept Artist
• Graphic Artist
• Storyboard Artist
• Draughtsman (Junior)
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10. CREATIVE: CAMERA
• Camera Dept. Overview
• Director of Photography
• Script Supervisor
• Camera Operator
•1st & 2nd Camera
• Steadicam Operator
• Ariel Director of Photography
• Ariel Camera Pilot (Assistant)
• Marine and Diving Camera Crew
• Grip
• Crane Operator
• Video Assistant Operator
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11. CREATIVE: COSTUME
• Costume Designer (Assistant)
• Wardrobe Supervisor
• Costume Supervisor
• Costume Maker
• Costume Daily
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12. CREATIVE: SCRIPT
• Screenwriter
• Development Executive
• Script Editor
• Script Reader
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13. CREATIVE: MAKE UP DEPT.
• Chief Make up artist
• Chief Hairdresser
• Prosthetics
• Hair Dresser (Assistant)
• Make Up Artist (Assistant)
• Trainee
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14. CREATIVE: MUSIC
• Composer
• Music Supervisor
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15. CREATIVE: PERFORMANCE
• Performers Overview
• Actors
• Agent
• Variety Artist
• Choreographer (Assistant)
• Singer
• Puppeteer
• Stunt Performer
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16. EDITING AND POST
PRODUCTION
• Editor (Assistant and 2 nd)
• Post Production Supervisor
• Titles Designer
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17. TECHNICAL: LIGHTING
• Director of Photography
• Gaffer
• Best Boy
• Lighting Technician
• Moving Light Operator
• Practical Light Technician
• Console Operator
• Genny Operator
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18. FINANCIAL: ACCOUNTS
• Production Accountant
• Financial Controller
• Key Assistant Accountant (Assistant, Trainee)
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19. ADMINISTRATIVE: DISTRIBUTION
• Distributor
• Marketing and Publicity Manager
• Publicist
• Marketing Assistant
• Sales Agent
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20. CASTING DIRECTOR
A casting director is in charge of casting all the roles for a production. This
involves them working closely with the Producer and the Director to gain an
understanding of the requirements needed for each character, The casting
director arranges and directs all interviews with possible cast members.
A new and up to date knowledge of upcoming talent is needed to be a casting
director as it is important to know the type of actors that audiences are
wanted to watch at the time. They are also responsible drawing up the
contracts with the cast members agents. Therefore negotiation is a key skill
needed in the role of casting director.
Qualifications needed:
Often a casting director will have a degree in some form of the this area
including the Arts, English, Media etc. however no specific qualifications are
actually needed. Often casting directors begin as trainees at talent agencies.
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21. LOCATION MANAGER
A location manager is in charge of finding suitable locations for filming as
well as negotiating prices etc. with the land owners of their chosen location.
They are also responsible for tackling issues which may affect surrounding
land owners such as noise etc. After shooting the footage, the location
manager is in charge of making sure that the specific location is left in the way
it was before filming commenced.
Qualifications needed:
No official qualifications are needed to become a location manager however
much experience is required. This means that many location managers begin
their career lives as runners, and work their way to where they want to be.
A key factor to becoming a location manager is a high knowledge of health
and safety as well as full drivers licence, as they are required to find locations.
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22. ARMOURER
Any project including firearms have to involve an Armourer, without them, it would be illegal for
the firearms to be handled. They are in charge of transporting and storing the fire arms involved
in the film. The Armourer is in charge of the safety of the crew when handling the fire arms, and
they make the decision as to whether the cast which are expected to use the fire arms are
competent enough. The Armoured is involved closely with the director and the producer in
discussing the script and researching what kind of fire arms would be appropriate to use
according to the genre/ era of the film. They also work closely with the police on terms of
informing them if any fire arms are going to be used outdoors during the filming.
During filming, the Armourer will work with the director of photography to discuss which
camera angles would be the best to use with the minimum risk of injury.
Comprehensive training in the use of firearms is essential to take up the job role of an armourer.
Permits and certificates are also required to prove that the armourer is allowed to be in
possession of the fire arms.
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23. GRAPHIC ARTIST
A graphic artist creates any prop which includes graphic items such as money,
newspapers etc. It has to be done in a way where the audience cannot tell that
the items are not genuine, therefore the graphic artist has to make a clever
reproduction. Graphic artists are often hired on the basis of reputation -
often hired through the set decorator it helps for the graphic artist to have
made an impression on the set decorator in the past.
Being a graphic artist involves having a lot of skill but the job is sporadic
(occasional). Graphic artists work on a freelance basis – charging for their
services by the hour rather than a fixed salary.
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24. MARINE AND DIVING CAMERA CREW
Qualification’s needed:
• HSE Commercial Diving Certificate Part 4
Job Role:
The marine and diving crew are in charge of the safety of all crew during filming in the water.
The underwater director of photography/ underwater camera operator takes up the role of the
head of the marine crew. The marine crew not only work with the others in the water, but also in
planning the scenes which will take place, including storyboarding with the Visual Effects
Supervisor and the Stunt Co-ordinators.
Work Load:
The work load of the marine crew is physically demanding and involves long foreign trips away
from home.
Building up to becoming part of a Marine Diving Crew:
• Begin in junior positions and possible the 2 nd Assistant Camera.
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25. WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
Ususally employed on larger budget productions, a wardrobe supervisor begins their work in the
short time before filming begins. A wardrobe supervisor is in charge of many of the costume
workers and is also responsible for making sure that all equipment needed for the wardrobe is in
correct working order, as well as transporting the costumes to make sure they are where they are
needed and when. Organisation and managerial skills are important in the role of a wardrobe
supervisor, as well as planning and scheduling skills. Sometimes wardrobe supervisors are also in
charge of the budget for the costume department therefore skills in money management are also
needed.
Sometimes a wardrobe supervisor is expected to draw up a risk assessment to make sure that
none of their crew are injured using the machinery to create the costumes.
Wardrobe supervisors must need good linguistic skills as they may be required to travel to
different countries for the particular film they are working on.
Qualifications needed:
Qualifications in fashion design are not essential but often preferable. Experience gained from
working in other such areas is a relevant factor. Often a wardrobe supervisor will work their way
up from other roles such as costume trainees. Due to the job involving travel, a full EU passport
is needed.
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26. SCREENWRITER
A screen writer plays a major role in the development of creating a film. They are in charge
of researching the suggested story as well as developing and writing the narrative before
presenting it to the Executives. This means that the screenwriters have a large influence
over the emotional impact of the specific screenplay.
Often screen writers are freelance workers and either pitch their own ideas to producers in
the hope of them being further developed, or are hired by producers to make their visions
come alive.
The difference between the amount of screenplays written and those actually made into
films is very larger and there are very few screenwriters who make enough to live off this
job alone.
A screenwriter is responsible for providing blue prints of a film and must make the plans
alive so that when pitching the ideas, cinematicall imagery is created in their minds.
Qualifications needed:
There is no formal training needed to become a screenwriter however there are a number
of courses available to people interested in the job. Producers will not accept screenplays if
they are not written in a certain way so it is a good idea to develop your skills through one
of these courses.
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27. PROSTHETICS
Prosthetic artists are required on many different forms of projects including film, music
videos, documentaries, dramas etc. Their job requires forming bodily props made from
materials such as silicone, gelatin etc. – any material which can form a disfigurement to the
actors.
Prosthetic artists can be hired throughout the entire time of a production or can be hired
temporarily as Dailies. A prosthetic artists usually works on a freelance basis and spends
many hours away from home.
A prosthetics job is to meet with the make up dept. pre production and discuss briefs of
specific designs they are to follow. Some of the times the briefs they are given have been
rushed and are very basic, and the prosthetic artist is allowed to use their imagination to
interpret their own ideas – providing it fits in with the brief. A prosthetic artist often works
from home however in larger productions, there is often a specific area build on set.
Qualifications needed:
Many prosthetic artists are self trained however there are courses available in the form of
BA degrees, and other vocational courses. A prosthetic artists will always needed to updated
portfolio – made up from photographs of their work - for any job to provide an example
of the kind of things they are used to.
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28. COMPOSER
A composer is required to write the music for a project, according to the directors
needs. The composer needs to write music which creates the correct atmosphere
for the film as well as emphasizing emotions. A composer oversees the whole
process from writing the music, guiding the orchestra and post production.
Music written by a composer is required to be original. A composer is required to
be able to write music in different styles, appropriate for the genre of the film they
are writing for.
They need to be able to have the creative insight which allows them to create the
directors ideas into reality. They also need to be able to work with the newest
technologies to create the best pieces.
Qualifications needed:
Often some form of music qualification is needed to become a composer however
many projects simply require talent and compassion to make amazing pieces of
music. Some courses are available specifically for Composing for Film and
Television, allowing people to work on film sets with orchestras.
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29. PUPPETEER
Puppeteers are required in filming to make inanimate objects perform
similarly to actors. Many different kinds of puppets are used by a puppeteer
including: hand puppets, stringed puppets or even life sized puppets.
Puppeteers are required to work in different environments, often poor ones
either above or below the stage. Puppeteers are sometimes required to work
under water with life sized puppets. When working with animatronics – the
puppeteers are required to work with the special effects team. This benefits
both parties as they can learn each others strengths and weaknesses.
Qualifications needed:
Some drama schools offer puppeteer courses to allow basic disciplines such as
knowledge of script performance, ability of using physicality to create life in
puppet etc.
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30. TITLES DESIGNER
A title designer is responsible for creating the opening credits for the film, any
captions occurring during the film such as times, locations etc. as well as the
closing credits which often involve the scrolling screen containing the casts names,
the producer etc. They are required to research into the correct types of fonts
available to match the type of genre of the film. They also decide on the colouring
of the font, as well as the background behind the writing.
A title designer often works on a freelance basis, often in their own homes or
studios. A title designer is not usually needed until the end of the editing process,
where they will then sit with the director and editor and discuss the ideas which
will influence the way the titles will be created.
Qualifications needed:
Often title designers are art school graduates who have studied for film illustration
or graphic design. College courses provide the opportunity for building a portfolio
which is necessary for such a competitive business.
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31. GAFFER
Gaffers are in charge of operating the electrical work for a production as well
as leading the technicians who set up the lighting equipment. Gaffers are
involved in working closely with the Director of Photography in order to
create an understanding of the image they are trying to produce.
Health and safety is a key responsibility of the Gaffer. They are involved in
creating a risk assessment and checking all the electrical equipment. They are
also involved in budgeting and choosing the best type of equipment for the
filming.
Qualifications needed:
All gaffers are required to have be a fully trained electrician and many have a
degree in electrical engineering. Gaffers are required to attend many tarde
shows to keep their knowledge of equipment up to date.
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32. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
In production, there are two types of financial controllers, depending on the
type of project.
On reasonable sized projects, either an experienced production accountant of
qualified accountant is hired to be the financial controller.
On larger projects, freelance senior production accountants are hired as the
financial controllers.
The main responsibilities of a financial controller are controlling the accounts,
taxes and financial analysis for all the areas if the production.
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