Unit 3: Job Roles

 

TASK 1: UNDERSTANDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN PERFORMING ARTS

Here are the roles of different jobs for creative, administrative and technical jobs in the performing arts industry.

JOB ROLE: ACTOR (creative)

1) The work involved in the job? -

The work and responsibilities involved in this job role are as followed:

• Job seek and network
• Liaise with an agent
• Prepare for and attend auditions
• Learn lines and rehearse
• Research or undertake activities to help prepare for a part
• Discuss interpretation and delivery with other members of the company and the director
• Perform for a live audience
• Perform in a studio or 'on location' for film, television, internet and radio broadcast
• Do voice-overs for advertisements or record audiobooks
• Manage the performance are, costume and props
• Undertake activities associated with touring, such as driving a van, 'get-ins' and 'get-outs' at theatres (i.e. setting up and dismantling the performance area)
• Liaise with venue managers and accommodation providers
• Keep records for company managers
• Work as a walk-in or extra for television or film

2) The knowledge, training and qualifications needed? -

The knowledge and training (skills) needed for this role are as followed:

• Good communication and listening skills
• Punctuality and reliability
• The ability to interpret and analyse roles
• The capacity to work well in teams
• The ability to take instruction and criticism
• Confidence to network and follow up contacts
• Self-discipline and stamina to cope with long hours and learning lines
• Resilience and determination
• Additional skills - these may be required for some roles, such as the ability to sing, dance or play a musical instrument 

There are also no qualifications needed to become an actor. Although some do have a degree or diploma in acting.

3) The routes into the profession? -

The routes into the job role of an actor is mostly work experience as there is no direct route into this particular profession. Experience is an important factor, as is talent, determination, hard work and luck.

4) Any organizations or people they will have to work with or have contact with as part of their job? -

Normally the organizations that you will have contact with as an actor is those that you are either working for or trying to work for. Furthermore the people you will have the most contact with throughout your career will be your agent, which is hired by yourself. Your agent will tell you any upcoming roles and then it is your choice whether or not to take the role on further, therefore an audition will be booked for you by your agent. So your agent is therefore the person you will have the most contact with. Also other people that you will have contact with is your director, producer etc. This is only when needed to contact them for timings and so on and so fourth. 

5) How they work with other people in the industry/ the relationship between the job and other roles or other areas of the industry? -

The main relationships that you will have is those between the actor and their agent and the actor and other actors as well as actors and their directors etc.

6) Possible career progression for this job (including current rates of pay of applicable)? -

After you start work as an actor, it's unlikely that formal training leading to vocationally related qualifications will be provided. Skills are developed on the job, through rehearsal and performance, as you move between contracts and this experience is evidenced on your CV. Sometimes you may need to learn a new skill for a role, such as a specific kind of dancing or circus skills, and the director may arrange for a teacher to train you for this. You will most likely need to invest in your own career by paying for your own training. Learning other skills, such as singing and dancing, can increase your chances of success in landing roles. 

There is no standard career profession for an actor. You may spend your whole career moving from one acting contract to another, performing similar work without gaining any extra responsibility or a significant increase in pay. Success with one contract does not necessarily lead immediately to more work and you may move between theatre, radio, television and film. You must be prepared for the ups and downs and the lack of security, which is inherent in the profession. Career progression may take the form of learning new skills, or in branching out into different areas of performance. You may have the opportunity to move into other areas, such as theatre management, scriptwriting or directing;  or even set up your own theatre or film and television production company. 

JOB ROLE: CAMERA OPERATOR (technical)

1) The work involved in the job? -

As a Camera Operator you will need to:

• Assemble, prepare and set up equipment prior to filming, which may include tripods, monitors, lighting, cables and leads and headphones
• Offer advice on how best to shoot a scene and explain the visual impact created by particular shots
• Plan shots, for example when filming an expensive drama scene, such as an explosion, there may be only one chance to get things right, so shots need to be meticulously planned beforehand
• Practice the camera moves required for pre-arranged shots
• Study scripts
• Find solutions to technical or other practical problems (for an outside broadcast, for example, the natural light conditions need to be taken into account when setting up shots)
• Be prepared to innovate and experiment with ideas
• Work quickly, especially as timing is such an important factor
• Take sole responsibility in situations where only one camera operator is involved in the filming
• Keep up to date with filming methods and equipment
• Repair and maintain equipment
• Demonstrate a good awareness of health and safety issues
• Drive crew, actors and equipment to and from locations.

The work involved in the job is physically demanding, and requires high levels of strength and stamina. The hours are long (12-14 hours a day) and some foreign travel may be required, involving long periods spent away from base.

2) The knowledge, skills, training and qualifications needed? -

 The Knowledge and skills needed for this particular job role are as followed:

The knowledge you will need is knowledge of safe working practices, with regard to electricity and lights is essential. Also you will need to have excellent hand-eye coordination and good hearing and colour vision are also vital. Physical stamina is required for working long hours and carrying heavy equipment. Additional useful skills include a driving license and competence in IT.
Many freelance operators own their equipment and so they need to be able to carry out maintenance and basic emergency repairs.

Furthermore the skills you will are as followed:

Sound theoretical, practical and technical knowledge of cameras

The ability to frame and compose shots

The ability to perform camera moves accurately

Interpersonal and communication skills

The capacity to multi-task and take direction from others

Team working skills and the ability to lead and motivate others

Tact and diplomacy

The ability to work under pressure and to deadlines

Flexibility, creativity and patience

Attention to detail.

3) The routes into the profession? -

The routes into this profession are mostly through work experience. Work shadowing others can provide useful experience and can help you to develop contacts in the industry, which will therefore allow you to gain entry into the industry. Also working as a runner can be a useful entry point, but it is vital to have a career plan and to keep your overall career aims in mind. Another routes into the profession is trying to land a job in the industry, whether it be through: Broadcast television, Your own short films, Commercials, Corporate videos, Promos, Web Video's etc. This could then lead you further into the industry and further employment.

You can also expect to begin your career as a Camera Trainee or Runner, progressing to 2nd AC and, as you gain more experience, to 1st AC. You will have to continually build upon your experience and competence when operating a variety of cameras in order to achieve the role of Camera Operator.



4) Any organizations or people they will have to work with or have contact with as part of their job? -

In the job role of a Camera Operator you will liaise closely with the Director, fine-tuning the exact details of each shot, suggesting creative improvements and alternatives. They then supervise the logistics of moving the camera and oversee the camera maintenance work carried out by the Focus Puller and the 2nd AC. Camera Operator's also work closely with the performers/actors, guiding them on what can and cannot be seen by the camera. As Director's of Photography now also operate the camera on smaller films, many Camera Operators specialize in the operation of other precise equipment, such as Remote Heads or Steadicam.

In turn you will work closely with:

• Director of Photography (DoP)
• Director
• 2nd AC
• Performers
• Actors
• Camera Crew
• Lighting operatives
• Sound operatives

5) How they work with other people in the industry/The relationship between the job and other roles or other areas of the industry? -

The people you work with in the industry you will have to have a connection/relationship with whereas the people that you will work closely with, such as: DoP, Director, Performers etc. you will have to develop a very close relationship with them in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly through the filming process.



6) Possible career progression for this job? - The main career development path is to start in a junior position, such as a camera assistant or trainee, runner or technical operator and progress from there. With experience, the next step is into the positon of camera operator and then, after some years, to lighting and camera person or director of photography. The senior roles allow more creative input and demand leadership skills. Advancement with the profession depends on a number of factors, such as:

• Building up a network of contacts (particularly if you are working on a freelance basis).
• Developing excellent relationships with Directors of Photography.
• Demonstrating high-level technical and artistic skills.
• Keeping up to date with new technologies and techniques.
• Successfully marketing yourself and your skills and experience.

Being flexible on your location is also important, as many jobs are in London or in other cities with major studios. With experience, you will build up a list of credits, which can lead to further opportunities and offers of work. If you are a freelancer there may be a less structured career path, and so you need to take responsibility for maintaining your own skills, employability and continuing personal development (CPD).