BC1001 - Newsdesk

News deaths hit an all-time high

At least 171 journalists and other news media staff have died as a result of their work around the world so far this year, making 2007 the bloodiest year on record for the industry.
With more than a month still to go before the end of the year, the all-time high of 168 deaths recorded in 2006 was exceeded on Tuesday when at least three editorial staff were killed in Sri Lanka during a military air strike on a radio station.
"This horrible statistic should be regarded as a low point in the safety and welfare of the media profession. We need better protection for media workers worldwide," said the president of the International News Safety Institute (INSI), Chris Cramer.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/greenslade/2007/11/news_deaths_hit_an_alltime_hig.html

Ermmm .... a very interesting Stat - I think I might chat to Mike about a change of Course, something a bit less Dangerous !!

BC1001 - User Generated Content

Here's a story I found on User Generated Content - it outlines the findings from a Survey by Accenture amongst Media & Entertainment Executives.

The Media Industry appears to see UGC as a major threat to their Business and all seem to agree they will be making money from UGC in some way or another with in a couple of years - but most were unsure how !

User-Generated Content Is Top Threat to Media and Entertainment Industry, Accenture Survey Finds

NEW YORK; April 16, 2007 –Media and entertainment executives see the growing ability and eagerness of individuals to create their own content as one of the biggest threats to their business, according to results of a survey released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

In its annual survey of senior executives in the media and entertainment industry, Accenture examined the growth strategies of companies across the landscape of advertising, film, music, publishing, radio, the Internet, videogames and television.

More than half (57 percent) of the respondents identified the rapid growth of user-generated content — which includes amateur digital videos, podcasts, mobile phone photography, wikis and social-media blogs — as one of the top three challenges they face today. In addition, more than two-thirds (70 percent) of respondents said they believe that social media, one of the largest segments of user-generated content, will continue to grow, compared with only 3 percent of respondents who said they view social media as a fad.

The new landscape offers opportunities as well as challenges, according to the study, as two-thirds (68 percent) of the respondents said they believe that within three years their businesses will be making money on user-generated content. Sixty-two percent said they believe their companies will make money through advertising and sponsorships of social media. Other sources of profits cited were subscriptions (21 percent) and pay-per-play offerings (18 percent). However, a quarter (24 percent) of respondents said they do not yet know how their businesses will profit from user-generated content.

http://accenture.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4534

BC1001 - Media Consumption

I've been tracking my Media Consumption over the last few weeks and surprised myself with how much I'm getting through !

My consumption is crammed into small chunks of the day because I work 8 til 6 Monday to Wednesday, have a young son (Rory - 8 months), and also have a few Band Projects on the go so I'm always busy with something - so I wonder how I cram all this in .....

Web Browsing -
Average 2 hours a day, some at work, some at home. Check email, Banking, Uni work & research, Social Networking Sites, World News, buying Presents, Concert Tickets, checking Gigs & Entertainment news.
TV -
Average 2 hours per day. Rarely watch any scheduled shows apart from Match of the Day, Documentaries or Wildlife Programmes. Watch a lot of Music Documentaries on "Mainstreet" Channel.
Watch around 4 DVDs per week - we use Lovefilm.com for DVD Rentals so watch a bit of a mixed bag of stuff (recently - Hotel Rwanda, Hostel, Finding Neverland)
Newspapers -
1 hour per week. we get a 'quality' paper delivered on a Saturday and mindless tat on a Sunday ! Rarely read them both fully.
Books -
4 hours per week - Currently reading 'In the Fast Lane' - the Story of the Eagles , 'Zen Guitar' - a Zen approach to Guitar Playing , 'All you need to know about the Music Business' - as the title suggests.
Music \ Radio -
Listening Mostly in the Car - 1 hour per day. Also I'm doing occasional Sound Engineering for an Elvis Impersonator so that adds about an hour a week !
Guitar Playing -
5 hours per week - This counts on a few media fronts ! I'm currently learning some Elton John Songs for a Project so I'm watching the DVDs, Listening to the CD's, learning the parts from a Songbook plus researching the Guitar parts on Internet Guitar Sites and watching live Performances of the songs on YouTube.

Newsdesk - BC1001 wk8

BBC Licences Top Gear to Australia


Matt Campbell, the SBS director of content, said he wanted to do something new."In making it, we won't simply replicate the UK series with an Australian version of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond or James May," Campbell said. "SBS plans to make a programme that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian."

Australia is to get its own version of Top Gear after the BBC signed its first international licensing deal for the popular motoring show.
State-owned SBS, which was set up to be a multicultural broadcaster but carries advertising, will screen the programme from next year with a planned eight episodes.
The production is the first by Sydney-based Freehand Productions since BBC Worldwide bought a minority stake in January.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/19/bbc.television

This Story seems to have not been widely reported in the Media, least of all on the BBC Website, but could be seen as a Major change in the way the BBC will operate and look to gain a foothold in Foreign Markets. BBC Programmes are sold and shown throughout the World and are renowned for their quality – but this takes things a step further.


Australian 'Ute'

BBC Worldwide – the BBC’s Commercial arm – is looking to Licence spin off Programmes around the world and plans to have 8 Production Offices or Joint Ventures with Production Offices by March next year. BBC Worldwide owns a 25% Stake in Freehand Productions (who will be Producing Top Gear for Australia) and has also opened Production Offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai.

So, this is not a sudden response to the Funding Shortfall, but a plan that is already in action – I wonder if as part of the deal the International Versions will be Licenced to the BBC for the UK Market for free ?

This will be something to watch with interest - a new British Empire ?!!





Sources ;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/19/bbc.television

http://www21.sbs.com.au/topgear/

http://www.freehandtv.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&taindex.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=31#topgearsbs

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Job Advertisement

Here's my take on a Job Advert for a Sound Recordist !

Genre : Entertainment

Working Area : Bath, South West

Contract Duration : 6 Months - or until the show is canned\ taken off of the air for Legal reasons -whichever is sooner

Salary : £not much

Job Description :
Sound Recordist, BSU Multimedia Productions
"The Custard & Flugelhorn" Show

We are looking for an experienced and Technically proficient Sound Recordist for the Award Winning Intellectual Entertainment Show "The Custard & Flugelhorn" - where unsuspecting Classical Musicians are asked to play Technically Difficult pieces on the Flugelhorn and are judged on their ability to keep playing despite being jeered by a baying mob and pelted with custard. The mob score points for the amount of custard that is retrieved from the Horn at the end of the piece.


Job Specification :
Job Title - Sound Recordist
Department - BSU Multimedia Entertainment
Contract - 6 Months
Base - Bath
Start Date - tbc.

Aim of the Job :
Working as part of the Technical Team Responsible for ensuring that the Sound Recorded during the Prodution is of the required Standard and Quality for Broadcast.

Key Responsibilities :

Must be skilled at capturing the best possible sound quality for the programme.

Must be able to work in a Loud, Messy and potientially hazardous environment.

Must be skilled at Micing Flugelhorns and Baying Mobs.

Key Competences :

The ability to relate clearly, calmly and professionally with your crew and your subjects, be they film stars, streets sweepers, politicians, TV presenters, or whoever, is a huge priority - plus be able to beat a hasty retreat should the baying mob turn on them.

An appreciation of sound, the various qualities it can possess and those things that can effect recorded sound (from hard surfaces, room sizes, interference, custard etc) are a prerequisite.

Should be able to maintain and use all Sound Equipment Safely and with regard to the Health & Safety of others.

Should be able to take the necessary precautions and devise ingenious ways to Protect and shield the Equipment against flying custard whilst still maintaining Sound Quality.

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Sound Recordist

The Job I would be interested from the list would be a Sound Recordist - I've always been interested in Sound & my experience as a Musician means I'm familiar with a lot of the Technical side of the Job. Ideally I'd like to be in a Job that combines Sound & Visual Editing - I've done quite a bit of work at home with editing home movies and adding Music. I get a real buzz out of making the Music & Visuals work together and coming up with an interesting result - something that doesn't bore people to tears when they watch it !

Here's a Description I found of the Role of Sound Recordist.

What you do: The range of the job.

A Sound Recordists prime function is to make sound recordings of outstanding quality, free from interference and all unwanted noise.That sounds relatively straightforward, but can prove very difficult,especially when recording that vital scene or interview near Heathrow, the M4, East Coast Mainline, road works, clock tower, play ground etc.

Recording in sound proof studios is generally less challenging than location work, but making a large space sound intimate or vice versa, tracing the odd hum to source, or isolating equipment noise can still take forever.As a Sound Recordist it is possible to work across a wide variety of television and film formats or genres, but as with most production roles people tend to specialise in one or two areas, such as commercials and features, documentaries and live concerts, or wildlife.

Each type of production has its particular set of aural challenges. On a large scale feature film, for example, the Sound Department may be relatively large by television documentary standards, consisting of a Sound Recordist or Mixer, one or two Boom Operators and a Sound Trainee. The quantity of microphones and equipment employed may differ also, with two boom microphones which are mics on poles, being operated and recorded simultaneously, possibly in conjunction with clip mics, tie mics which are mics fitted to actors. This requires the Sound Recordist or Mixer to monitor several mic inputs at the same time via a small mobile mixing desk, usually found installed in a custom made trolley.

http://www.startintv.com/jobs/sound-recordist.php

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Production Roles

Executive Producer - The producer has the overall responsibility for making the programme happen, from selecting the production team and presenters, to guiding and motivating them throughout the whole production process.

Production Executive - Their job is to examine the script "as though it were a cake ready for baking". They "work with the independent production companies to agree how much all the ingredients will cost and how long it will take to complete the filming and deliver the final transmission tapes"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/ballykissangel/interview-jackson.shtml

Series Producer - The Series producer has the overall responsibility for making the programme happen, from selecting the production team and presenters, to guiding and motivating them throughout the whole production process

Producer - Producers coordinate all the resources needed to make film, TV and video productions, and manage the production process from start to finish

Associate Producer - Associate Producers carry out significant functions in the production or post-production process, which would otherwise be performed by the Producer, Executive Producer or Co-Producer. These responsibilities may range from helping to raise production finance at the beginning of the production process, to supervising the final stages of post-production.

Series Editor - the Senior Editor on the Production.

Script Editor - Works with the Writers and makes improvements to the Script before it goes to the Executive Producer(s)

Director - The television director, who sits atop the chain of command of the crew during the actual filming or taping of the show, is responsible for the visualization of the TV program, selecting the different camera angles and compositions that will used
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/directortel/directortel.htm

1st Assistant Director - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

Location Manager - Location Managers are responsible for finding, contracting and organising locations ranging from street corners, industrial estates or even someone's house, and making sure filming in those locations runs smoothly
http://www.skillset.org/tv/people/article_2574_1.asp

Unit Manager - An executive who is responsible to a senior producer for the administration of a particular movie. Unit Production Managers only work on one film at a time - normally responsible for Health & Safety and ensuring all Cast & Crew have completed the relevant H&S training.

2nd AD - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

3rd AD - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

Production Co-Ordinator - Responsible for planning and budgeting the filming schedule, the travel logistics, filming permits and post production processes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/mammals/tv/production_coordinator.shtml

Runner - The work can vary hugely. Runners may be called on to do almost any unskilled task required to help the production go smoothly
http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/index.cfm?pid=57&catalogueContentID=504&render=detailedArticle

Designer - Television designers create or select exterior and interior scenes for productions. They then prepare a scale model or drawing and supervise the construction of their sets.

Art Director - Produces visual materials for educational and instructional television programs, including graphics, photography, set design, and exhibits
http://www.brockport.edu/~shra/jobspecs/3779900.htm

Properties Buyer - Responsible for Buying any Specific Props Required for the Programme

Properties Master - Property Masters* control all aspects of Property Departments. They oversee, and are responsible for, the procurement or production, inventory, care and maintenance of all props associated with productions, ensuring that they are available on time, and within budgetary requirements
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/props/article_3906_1.asp

Standby Medical Props - Standby Props work on set during the filming of a scene, overseeing the use of props, and monitoring their continuity. They must be able to respond to requests immediately, moving props and fixtures to help position Actors, crew and equipment. (In this case the Props will be of a Medical Nature)
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/props/article_3912_1.asp

Standby Props - (as above)

Costume Designer - Costume designers are responsible for the overall look of the clothes and costumes in theatre, film or television productions
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile915/

Costume Assistant - works under the direction of the Costume Designer & makes the required Costumes

Dressers - Dress the sets with the required items \ furniture etc to recreate the correct period for the Production.

Make-up Designer - Make-up and Hair Designers usually work on feature films and high budget television dramas and must be proficient in both make-up and hair techniques. Make-up and Hair are key elements in the overall design of films or television productions, creating a look for the characters in relation to social class, and time periods, and any other elements required to create the desired illusion

Make-up Assistants - work under the direction of the make-up Designer

Lighting Director - Lighting Director is the most senior role in television lighting departments. Using the script or brief from the Production team they design the specific look required for each shot. They use their advanced technical skills to realise the design and, with the help of the rest of the lighting department, to set up and operate specialised lights and accessories
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/lighting/article_2788_1.asp

Gaffer - They are responsible for all the practical aspects of lighting sets and locations - they report to the Lighting Director

Vision Engineer - Responsible for setting up & Rigging Monitors and all related equipment

Camera Operator - Camera operators record moving images for film, television, commercials, music videos and corporate productions. They operate film, videotape and digital video cameras, usually under the instruction of a director or a director of photography.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile519/

Camera Assistant - The camera assistant works under the direction of the camera operator, or reports directly to the lighting camera operator or director of photography if there is no camera operator.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=camera+assistant&meta=

Camera Trainee - Junior Assistant to the Camera Team

Grip - Grips' responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras. This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs
http://www.startintv.com/jobs/grip.php

Sound Recordist - Sound Recordists/Production Mixers record sound on location or in a studio, usually in synchronisation with the camera, to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming/recording.
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/sound/article_2794_1.asp

Boom Operator - Working either on location or on a studio set under the supervision of the Sound Supervisor/Production Mixer, the Boom Operator's main responsibility is to control the long boom arm, either hand-held or dolly-mounted (on wheels), with the microphone attached, manoeuvring it as close to the action as possible without getting it in shot
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/sound/article_2791_1.asp

Sound Trainee - Working under the supervision of the Sound Supervisor, TV Sound Assistants must be able to carry out a variety of tasks, including assembling and maintaining sound recording equipment, setting up communication and public address systems, and positioning microphones. They may also play in music from tapes, CDs, or computers, or operate sound effects as necessary

VT Editor - Responsible for Editing the Footage

Casting - Responsible for Casting the Actors

Artists Booker - Books the Actors Cast in the Programme

Production Accountant - Production Accountants are responsible for managing finances and maintaining financial records during film production. They work closely with the Producer and the production office to prepare schedules and budgets for film productions, as well as managing the day-to-day accounting office functions, and reporting the projects' financial progress against the budgets
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/article_3903_1.asp

Assistant Production Accountant - (Assistant to above)

Researcher - They could be involved in anything from researching information for documentaries to finding studio audiences and guests for entertainment shows, or picture and archive research.

Script Secretary - Responsible for updating the Script with any changes and ensuring it gets circulated to everyone that needs to see it

Publicist - plan and execute all aspects of media relations, including working with agencies and contractors, media info services, clipping services, etc

Picture Publicity - The Picture Publicist provides the press with all of the images that they need. The Picture Publicist arranges cover shoots for magazines. The unit photographers take the pictures, but the Picture Publicist commissions and edits them

(Where I have copied a Description directly from a Website I have linked to it - where I have taken Information from multiple Sources I haven't !)