1. Unit 3: The Creative Media Sector
By Lani Baldwin
2. Nira Park In June 1995, she founded Big Talk Productions, which employs
twenty-five people. Under this production company, she has
produced comedies such as Black Books and Spaced.
Subsequent to Spaced she has also produced films such as
Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. She
has also produced a number of channel 4 television shows as
well as several other dramas and documentaries.
Joint CEO/Producer
3. James Biddle James first worked with Big Talk as a freelance
Production Coordinator on ‘Shaun of the Dead,’ then as
Production Manager on ‘Hot Fuzz’. Since joining Big Talk
in 2008, James has worked as Line Producer on ‘Free
Agents’ and ‘Attack The Block’ and most recently, as Co-
Producer on ‘Sightseers’. James is currently producing
psychological horror, ‘In Fear’ with Nira Park.
Prior the working for Big Talk Productions, James
worked with other production companies such as; Title
Producer Films, Focus Features, DNA and Film Four.
4. Edgar Wright Edgar Howard Wright (born 18 April 1974) is an English
film and television director and writer. He is most famous
for his work with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on the films
Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, the TV series Spaced,
and for directing the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and
co-writing Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin
with Joe Cornish and Steven Moffat. He will also direct a
film adaptation of the Marvel Comics superhero Ant-Man.
Director/Writer
5. Simon Pegg Nick Frost Simon Curtis
Writer/Actor Writer/Actor Writer
Simon Curtis began his career at the Royal Court Theatre where
Both Simon Pegg and Nick Frost rose to he ran the Theatre Upstairs and directed the world premiere of
Road by Jim Cartwright.
fame through the Channel 4’s Spaced. He joined the BBC as Executive Producer of Performance and
Both co-wrote and acted in Spaced, the was responsible for over fifty shows. As a director his credits
pair have also gone on to write and act in a include Daniel Radcliffe in David Copperfield, Sally Hawkins in
Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, the multi award
number of bigtalk productions such as winning Cranford, the Golden Globe nominated Five Days for
Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. HBO/BBC and most recently Julie Walters in the BAFTA-
nominated A Short Stay In Switzerland for BBC One. He also
recently directed Serenading Louie at the Donmar Warehouse.
6. Kenton Allen Each of these people have incredibly important
Matthew Justice
Robert Popper jobs, these include; runners, researchers,
Christina Lesbirel assistants, lawyers (in case of legal issues), and a
Lyndsay Robinson number of other jobs.
Rachael Prior
Luke Alkin
Alison Cain
Josh Cole
Guy Thompson
Celia Richards
Leo Thompson
Lucinda Barker
Sharon Martin
Dan Cheesbrough
Lee Thomas
Sophie Parkes
Rhys Jasinski
Suzette Styler
Jody Wiltshire
Andy Laas
Pete Roe
7. Job Role Roles and Responsibilities Qualities Needed
A Producer/Director in Network Television (Nationwide terrestrial programmes) takes an idea and Resilience, planning and organising, analytical thinking, leadership, managing
delivers the programme, usually leading a team of people, and working to a series producer, a relationships and team work, imagination and creative thinking and experience.
Producer/ Director director almost always has a clear vision they want to for fill.
The producer has the overall responsibility for making the programme happen, from selecting the Negotiation skills, able be divide time between jobs, cope with the pressure of numerous
production team and presenters, to guiding and motivating them throughout the whole jobs, team work/management.
Series Producer production process. The producer along with the director and graphic designer will conceive the
design for the opening titles and the internal graphics. The music will have to be selected or
perhaps composed specifically for the programme.
The researcher supports the Producer, contributing ideas, contacts and sources. Selects and An understanding of journalism, must work quickly/under constant pressure, empathetic
interviews possible contributors, writes relevant briefings. The researcher may originate or of legal and ethical issues, incredibly good verbal and literal understanding of language,
Researcher develop programme ideas and will draw on their particular knowledge and understanding of advanced IT skills, advanced analytical skills, can visualise situations to overcome
industry requirements. The researcher will identify appropriate data, contributors, locations or problems.
archive material, collate and assess information from various sources, and ensure that legal,
compliance and copyright requirements are met.
Makeup artists working in television and film help convey the personality of characters. They use Creative imagination, strong visual sense,
makeup to improve, enhance, or alter the appearance of the actors and actresses. Makeup artists be able to communicate well at all levels, confidence and tact to suggest changes to
Make-up Designer may be asked to create different appearances for a character, such as a black eye, old age, or benefit an individual's appearance, have stamina, be able to work under pressure, be
bloody wounds. The make-up designer also works closely alongside the costume designer. methodical and pay attention to detail, be able to work well as part of a team of often
diverse colleagues.
Production Co-ordinators are directly responsible to the Line Producer and Production Manager As this job is time consuming and often very stressful, the production coordinator must
for scheduling and co-ordinating the communications and day-to-day workings of the whole be able to cope under pressure, energetic, have a good understanding of higher literacy
Production Co-ordinator TV production team. They co-ordinate the crew, maintain the purchase order log, make sure skills, possibly experienced in office work. Have strong multi-tasking capabilities.
paperwork is completed and filed, answer the telephone, and ensure that nothing is overlooked.
Production Co-ordinators also produce new versions of the script as changes are made. Because
they are most responsible for the day-to-day workings of the production office.
A runner works as the most junior member of the production team and will get involved in all Common sense, pleasant personality, good communication skills, sensitivity, energetic,
aspects of the production from making the tea, running around to pick up tapes and props etc, to attention to detail, lateral thinking, knowing when to be quiet, not afraid of getting their
Runner helping out with research. hands dirty, doesn’t mind making the sandwiches/wash up.
The script executive adjusts the script depending on budget and possibility. They must also be Ability to observe and retain visual information, ability to understand technical
able to understand/empathise with the actors at their discretion. information and constantly learn new technology, ability to absorb a script & pinpoint
Script Executive anomalies in storyline, continuity, ability to make positive decisions with confidence
computer literacy and typing,
digital camera literacy, paperwork organisational skills and ability to multi task,
communication skills, personality skills, discretion.
These people are in control of many cameras all at the same time; this allows shots to be filmed Able to multi-task, energetic, creative/imaginative, able to follow instructions precisely,
from many different angles. good organisation skills.
Multi Camera Director
8. If I were to find a job in the media industry I would apply for a job as a Director or Script
Executive. This would allow me to have control and a heavy influence over the productions.
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/director.html
Director
Required Skills - A film director must have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of
film production, from acting to lens technology. It goes without saying that this is a senior
position — if you want to be a director you will need to gain a lot of experience in other roles
first.
Film directing is a vocation which, for most people, is more about creative achievement
than financial reward. It is a difficult field to break into and the aspiring director should be
prepared for a lot of hard work. Huge salaries are the exception rather than the rule.
What skills do I need to become a Director?
So, to conclude, if I wanted to be a Director I would have to gain many years of experience in
the media industry, and also I would have to go through many jobs to get this senior role. I
would more than likely have to start out as a Runner to gain experience and a clear
understanding about the “ranks” in the media industry. Subsequently to being a Runner, I
would have a number of new qualities that would allow me to overcome many issues within to
job role of Director.
9. http://careerbear.com/film-director/article/what-qualifications-do-film-directors-need-and-
how-much-do-they-make
What qualifications do I need to become a Director?
There are no clear qualifications that are necessary to be a Director, this is because each
production company looks for different aspects in a person. Although there are several
qualifications that could help; English Language and Literature, as a Director should have a
thorough knowledge of techniques used in scripts, also a Director should have a basic or
thorough knowledge of how to write a script. Also a qualification in Media would allow a quick
transaction between school life and a media job.
Many production companies look for previous experience so it is necessary to work your way up
through he media industry. Although previous experiences in school production and theatre
production could/would stand out greatly in the media world.
10. Script Executive
A Script Executive is very similar to a Director in the fact they must have a clear idea of want
the outcome will be like. They also have control over the characters, the props and almost all
other extra’s. Also it is the job of the Script Executive to adapt/change the script daily
depending on expenditure and the reality of each scene.
What qualifications do I need to become a Script Executive?
Like the Director, there are no set qualifications necessary, this is because you must work your
way up through the media industry. Although there are several qualifications that are advised
upon this job; English Language and Literature, to be able to change and understand all
language techniques used in scripts and also have a clear understanding of script writing and
editing.
Previous experience in the media sector is also advised.