Research In Job Roles

The film industry divides itself into five sectors:

Development - the writing, packaging and financing of film ideas and scripts.
Production - the process of setting up and shooting every scene in a film.
Post Production - where all these shots are assembled, treated and mixed into a finished product.
Distribution - the process of selling this product to audiences, via the cinemas, retailers and rental firms.
Exhibition - the cinemas which screen the film for the general public.There are literally hundreds of different jobs in the UK film industry, each one requiring a unique combination of specialist skills. The majority of these roles are found within the film production sector, and production crews are divided into standard departmental hierarchies. Each department has definite tasks and allotted objectives at particular stages in the production process.

Film directors take overall responsibility for the look, sound and style of a film. Their job usually starts once they receive the script. It is the director's artistic vision that will guide the work of the film crew as they search for suitable locations, hire the cast, design the sets and lighting, and finally edit and dub the finished recording.

Producers are the main role in this industry. The initial idea for a project often comes from a producer, who will then keep an eye on the project from start to finish, the producer may also get involved with the marketing and distribution process. A producer or executive producer is required to report directly to the client. Producers work closely with directors and the other production staff. Increasingly, they need to have directing skills themselves as it is likely that the producer will also be the director and take care of all project operations. Producers arrange funding for each project and are responsible for keeping the production within the allocated budget.

Camera Operators perform a vital role within the camera department on feature films. They support the Director of Photography, and the Director, by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shot composition and development. The seamless ease with which the camera moves is key to the narrative flow of feature films.

The Lighting department plays a crucial role in most film crews. Humanity lives by the light of the sun and, when it sets, artificial lights of different kinds and intensities are required. Although some productions may make use of daylight, for the most part it is necessary to use artificial light to achieve the visual image required. The different members of the Lighting crew are responsible, together with others such as the Camera crew or Designer, for the look and feel of the images that are captured on the screen. They set up a wide range of lighting equipment to achieve a variety of moods, atmospheres and effects, as well as helping to make the actors, performers and participants look right for their roles.