Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Job Employment

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media Sector: Employment opportunities and job roles in the media sector



  • Full Time - Full time is when people work about 35 to 40 hours a week depending on the company and you get you pension and you get sick pay and maternity leave and the advantages of full time is you get paid more but the disadvantages are you work more hours and it takes more of your free time, examples are working as newspaper writer

  • Part time - part time is when you work about a half the amount of hours a full time in a week but you get less money because of the less work hours.but you get more free time and you still get your pension by working in part time but you get less that goes towards your pension in comparison to working full time, you can work part time in marketing for a radio station or for the web

  • Freelance - Freelance is that you're your own boss and you cant turn any jobs down that you don't like to do but your work hours or days are not consistent like web designer or a photographer. The advantages is that you can decide what job you want to accept and you are your own boss, but the disadvantages is that you may have to turn down some jobs because you may be to busy on other jobs, and if you have a few jobs to do at a time it could be to much and you will be exhausted

  • Voluntary - Voluntary work is work that you do for someone or a company like charity shops and stalls where you work for their benefit and you do not get paid for working. volunteering provides a great opportunity for personal development; it’s a way of gaining confidence and learning new skills or putting your existing skills to good use. Voluntary can give you benefits like looks good in your job profile when you hand in a application you look good and it can help you get a job in the future.

  • Hourly paid - An hourly worker or hourly employee is an employee paid an hourly wage for their services, as opposed to a fixed salary. Hourly workers may often be found in service and manufacturing jobs and also people who are Media Lecturers in Colleges and Universities can also may get paid hourly.

Range of Job Roles:

In the media sector Games has loads of different job roles that you could work as in your future. there are all different from each other and all of the job roles help make a game. these Job Roles are:

Game Designer - Computer Games

Game Designer defines all elements and also components of the game and what it consist of and how is it played.
The Game Designer make things like the environment and how it looks and the charecters of the game, objects what are in the game and also vechicals that are in the game.
The Game Designer must decide on how to create the best game using three elements based on the budget and time that they're giving.
Games are usually large projects and the design process might be shared between a number of different people, overseen by the Lead Designer.
The Games Designer gets employed by a Game Development Company like Infinity Ward or Interactive Studio's. The Game Designer reports to his Lead Designer if they are any problems or questions.
The Game Designers work 30 to 60 hours per week until the game is finished. and they get paid to 19,000 to 60,000 every year.

There is no set route or qualification  you need to be a games designer but most of the people who apply for games designers jobs have a degree in games design.You can follow to become a Game Designer. However, this is not an entry-level role. Game development is a highly complex, intensive process which can last up to two years or more, requiring teams of programmers, artists, project managers, writers, musicians
Creative Director - Computer Games

The Creative Director is the main person during game development process because The Creative Director decides on how the game feels and how the game looks and also how does the game sound.
The Creative Director are employed by game developers companies. some game developers do not employ creative directors.
Creative Director is a highly paid job and they get paid £120,000 every year partically on the final stages of production.
The Creative Director is responsible for the overall look and feel of a computer game. The position is a relatively new one within the games industry and has evolved out of the producer's role as this has shifted towards managing the process of completing a game on time and on budget.
The Creative Designers work 40+ hours per week and they work with the lead designer and game desginers and the artist.

QA Tester - Computer Games

QAT stands for Quality Assurance Technicians or testers.
they preform a vital role in the gaming industry the game testers reports any bugs or glitches that are in the game and sometimes the game tester give suggestions on how they can make the game better. they look for copyright issues and spelling mistakes and they reporting it.
their job role involves playing games in a different way and analizing the game before it goes puplic.
they are employed by game developer or puplishers and they work 35-50 hours a weeks and they get paid approximatly £10 to £15 per hour or about £25,000 to £50,000 every year.


Technique Artist - Computer Games 

Technique Artist is responsible for including settings up and maintaining the workflow and making all decisions about what tools or software their should use.
The Technical Artist acts like a bridge across the artist an the programmers that are creating the game.
the role is pretty new to the gaming industry and it has become one of the most important roles in the industry because the PC and consoles are now becoming more and more complex.
despite their technical knowledge. the technical artsist works as a team not individuals with the lead programmers and the lead artist to make sure that the game looks good visually and plays the brilliantly.

Essential knowledge and skills
As the role of Technical Artist is a specialised one, candidates must be able to show technical proficiency in areas such as lighting and rendering, texturing, and graphics-related programming languages such as shaders.

They should also have extensive knowledge of art packages ranging from modelling to texturing and special effects, and be able to customise them so they are as streamlined as possible for specific projects.

The ability to work well as part of a team is also important, while training and mentoring responsibilities require good communication and people management skills.

Key Skills include:
  • ability to work with minimum supervision.
  • excellent organisational skills.
  • ability to think creatively to resolve technical challenges and limitations.
  • knowledge of console hardware architecture.
  • understanding and proficiency in using 3D graphics software.
  • ability to anticipate the needs of the artists so as to streamline their productivity.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Technical Artist get paid around about £21,000 to £62,000 and their work 30-60 hours per week.


Level Editor - Computer Games

Level Editor is characterise and creates interactive environment that includes landscapes, buildings and also objects in the game. the level editor sometimes plans out they design before creating the stuff for the game and they have to follow the overall design. The Level Designer also develop the gameplay and the architecture help the create challenges and obstacles and places to hide and other elements to interact with. with careful though the level editor creates the setting and the atmosphere for the players and give the players a clue to complete the current level or even complete the whole game.
they need to think about the flow and if the creative

Level Editors must have good knowledge about layout skills and and knowledge about 3D modelling, you have a to have a understanding about game design.The level designers are employed by game development studio's


Marketing Executive - Computer Games

Marketing Executive is a person who is in charge with marketing and Networking with your clients and the public would also be a part of your job. You may work with the public during market research or in focus group meetings. You will also need to attend exhibitions and product launches where you will meet with clients which are the people who could potentially be buying the game.

You will plan marketing campaigns and make sure they run smoothly. You could also have control of a campaign budget. You may be responsible for checking how effective a campaign is by collecting data and feedback and reporting this to management.

You would need organisational skills to realistically plan product launches for the game that they are working on, Also Market research and public relations events. Using your confidence and creativity you would also market your products across TV, radio and the Media/Press

Work times and salary of Marketing Executive

Working as a Marketing Executive you would usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Hours could be more irregular at busy times such as the run-up to a product launch or any other events. You may also need to attend trade fairs, exhibitions and networking events in the evening or at the weekend.

According to Creative Skillset, The starting salary of a Marketing Executive is usually between £18,000 and £22,000 but if you gain more experience and work at a company for a longer period of time then this could maybe raised up to £25,000 or £40,000 per year

If you are looking at a Marketing Directors job which is similar then you could be working for a salary up to £50,000 per year


Professional Behavior for Games:

if you are working in the games industry you need to have certain skills which will help benefit your career in the sector and you need to have the correct behavior for example, you need to be reliable and committed to doing your job that you working on.

some skills you may need for working the games industry for any of the job roles:

  • ability to work with minimum supervision.
  • excellent organisational skills.
  • ability to think creatively to resolve technical challenges and limitations.
  • knowledge of console hardware architecture.
  • understanding and proficiency in using 3D graphics software.
  • ability to anticipate the needs of the artists so as to streamline their productivity.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
  • Ability to work as a team with getting distracted from work.
  • You need to have passion for games otherwise they is no point in working in the games industry because you be as motivated to do your job.
  • Time Management is something you need to have.
  • You need to have good attendance and punctuality
  • Self and Personal Responsibility 


Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Understanding the regulation of the creative media sector

Understanding The Regulation Of The 

Creative Media Sector


For this assignment we will be understanding the regulations of the media sector and finding out what company regulates a type of media like for example; The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) regulates all of the advertisements in the UK and it checks that Advertisements do not lie or make false claims about the product.



Why the creative media sector needs to be

regulated


The Creative Media Sector needs to be regulated because they will be no rules or guidelines for the media companies to follow and abide by.



OFCOM 


If there was no OFCOM then the following Sectors wouldn't be regulated 

  • TV
  • Radio
  • Fixed Line Tele Communications 
  • Mobiles
  • Postal Services
  • Airwaves - WIFI


If OFCOM didn't regulate all of the sectors they need to regulate things could be messy because it would allow companies to do what they like to an extent to sell their product without following rules to generate revenue.

OFCOM makes sure that doesn't happen so they make sure they regulate all their sectors thoroughly to make sure that everything is in order and that all companies are following their guidelines. Companies that do not follow the OFCOM Guidelines will either get fined or get their show banned of air.

Example of OFCOM 

Frankie Boyle and Katie Price 

On Frankie Boyle's live comedy show Frankie done a offensive joke that was aimed towards Katie prices son Harvey therefore Katie Price reported him to OFCOM and OFCOM said "It appeared to "target and mock the mental and physical disabilities of the eight year-old" so ofcom decided to take the show down and he got fined.


Advertising Standards Authority 

If the ASA didn't regulate Advertisements then advertising companies would be allowed to advertise anything and the companies would make up facts to make sure their product sells to the public, which isn't fair because us the public would be getting lied to by advertisements and it would persuade us to buy their false product. The ASA keeps everything in order and makes sure that doesn't happen so they keep regulating advertisements and if they regulate an advert and it is not suitable to publish on TV then ASA will ask you to change it otherwise they could get fined or even get the companies advert banned of air like The Wrigleys advert which got banned because parents of children complained to the ASA because the advert made their children physically sick and it also frightened their children to.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) 

The BBFC regulates Films in Britain and they job is to go through the films and see if the film is suitable to be published into cinemas and TV, the way their do that is putting them into suitable age groups which stops younger children watching Horror films and over ages films like Paranormal Activity at the Cinemas. The age ratings are:


Universal (U) 

"U" stand for Universal and that means anyone can watch the film at least they are about 4 years old but some films are suitable for children that are younger than 4 which means children younger than 4 can watch it.



Parental Guidance (PG)

"PG" Stands for Parental Guidance which means children under the age of everyone but some scenes maybe unsuitable for younger viewers watching the film, Parents should be sure that the film is suitable for their children. PG films are not made for children and now PG films are mostly watched by adults instead of children.

12 & 12A

Age rating 12 means that nobody under the age of 12 can see this film even if they are accompanied by an adult over the age but 12A film means that people under the age of 12 can watch the 12A movie but they have to be accompanied by an adult. This is enforced by Cinema Staffs and if they do not abide by this then the Cinemas may lose its license.


15

Age rating 15 means that nobody under the age of 15 can not see the film in cinemas because the film is not suitable for the ages under than 15. What you might expect when watching a 15 rating film:


  • Strong Language 
  • portrayals of sexual activity




18 
When the film is rated 18 it means that nobody under 18 can watch this film at the Cinemas or buy it or rent it from shops. 18 films are made for people that are 18 or over and it is not suitable for children under the age of 18. These of the list of things can be found in a 18 film which tells you why 18 year old films are not suitable for people underage.



  • frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and (e.g. ‘c***’)
  • strong blood and gore
  • strong portrayals of sexual activity
  • scenes of sexual violence
  • strong blood and gore
  • real sex (in some circumstances)
  • discriminatory language and behavior
  • very strong violence


Freedom of Information


The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities.


list of examples of Public authorities


  • Government Departments
  • National Health Service (NHS)
  • Local Authorities
  • Police
  • Schools
The Freedom of Information Act does not give the right for people to access their own personal details and information for example "Health Records" and "Credit Reference File" If a person wants to have access to their personal details then they have to make a request under the Data Protection Act










Thursday, 8 January 2015

Understanding the ethical and legal considerations when working in the creative media sector

Understanding the ethical and legal considerations when working in the Creative Media Sector

Legal

It is important for the producer to understand the Legal Considerations when working in the Creative Media Sector because if you don't understand all the Legal Laws then you could affect you and your production and you could be jailed or you can get sued and fined and your production will have be shut down also it would be hard to find work in that particular Media Sector for example if you are working in the TV Sector and you broke any of these law besides from your production getting shut down, it will be hard to find another job or another show to produce because you broke the Law this could happen if the Producer does not understand any of these Laws below

  • Privacy Law -Privacy Law is the right of the individual to determine when or how and also what he/she will release personal information and the only way this right can be violated is when the Government had permission from a Judge to record him/her private communications but only if the judge is convinced that a crime has been or being committed and the private communication is used as evidence of the crime committed for example  The Doctor who secretly took pictures and filmed of his patients without the patients knowledge.

  • Libel Law - To published in Print whether it's pictures, Radio, Broadcast, Writing the untruth of another individual which will do harm to that person or damage their reputation and this can be open as a lawsuit if that person can prove that the statement about him/her was a lie. For example the libel news about Ryan Giggs having an affair with another women. 

  • Obscene Publications - The Obscene Publications Act mostly applies to Film and TV which covers obscene things like for example the film The Human Centipede got banned for years because of the obscene scenes that was in that movie. Obscene is not just sexually explicit material in films or in TV but also Violent material and sometimes drug taking and also it could also lead to harm and offence under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and also The Communications act 

  • Copyright and Intellectual Property Law -Copyright is something you create and once you create it and write it down it is already your work so nobody else can potentially steal or take your idea and use it for their own work. the only way they can put your work into they research or work is if they ask permission from you and you accept and then you can use your work for their work. If you breach Copyright laws you can get sued by people who you copied of and then you could potentially lose money because you have to pay for your own Legal Fee's and Court Appearances.For example Apple sues Microsoft in 2012/2013 for infringing on it patent in the new iPhone 5

  • Official Secrets Act - Official Secrets Act is for legislation which provides protection of all the secrets of the country or state or all of the official information and like people who work in the government or in the army have to sign a contact which once they have signed they cant anyone any of the secrets if they get caught they will be jailed and maybe fined money and fired from their job which could be hard to find work.


  • Health and Safety - Health and safety act is to protect the public and employers, employee's from work activities. Everyone has a duty to follow the Act so nobody gets injured or hurt. this is why in movies and show you have to fill in an Risk Assessment form to stop you from getting sued. The workers must have experience with the tools and must know how to correctly hold them or carry them and make sure materials or chemicals are stored correctly and to look after the health and safety of others for example the public or fellow employee's;

 For example if you are working producing a movie the Producers should ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons working with and for them are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. An example of what may be considered reasonably practicable would be if location filming was taking place in a warehouse with poor lighting. It would be appropriate to ensure that extra lighting is used and that all sharp or otherwise hazardous equipment is made safe for everyone so that they is no danger and nobody gets hurt.

Ethical

As a media producer you need to aware of the Ethical Issues when working in the Creative Sectors and you need to follow these Guidelines otherwise you break these guidelines without knowing and then your show could be cancelled and you could be fined money and because of that it will be also hard to create another show because you have already broken guidelines. So producers need to aware of the following guidelines:


  • Harm and Offence - Harm and offence is one of the Ethical Issues and you need to be careful that you don't do any harm or offend anyone in the audience and the people watching a home. If you break this guideline then your show or movie could possibly get cancelled and you could get fined by of-com for breaking the guideline and also it will be hard to produce another show because you have broken the guidelines before so they may not allow you to produce another show. For example Frankie Boyle made a disturbing joke about Katie Price's son Harvey and his show got cancelled and he faced lots of consequences because of that because he broke loads of guidelines including Harm and Offence and also because her son is a minor therefore the guideline Protecting Minors and Vulnerable People was also broken and he had to apologise to Harvey and Katie Price for making that joke.

  • Privacy - Privacy Law is the right of the individual to determine when or how and also what he/she will release personal information and the only way this right can be violated is when the Government had permission from a Judge to record him/her private communications but only if the judge is convinced that a crime has been or being committed and the private communication is used as evidence of the crime committed for example  The Doctor who secretly took pictures and filmed of his patients without the patients knowledge. For example if BBC or itv were interviewing someone if the person didn't want to be seen on air then the company would have to blur her face to protect her privacy.

  • Protecting Children and Vulnerable people - This Broadcasting cod is to protect minors from any harm and offence which is for kids under 15 also vulnerable people like Katie Price son Harvey is disabled and Frankie Boyle made a joke about his disability and Katie price and Frankie Boyle broke this broadcast code aswell as harm and offence also its to keep explicit material away from them if its not suitable for them for example programmes that have sexual material or violent material and bad Lagrange which is unsuitable for young minors
  • Issues of Fair Representation - is there to To ensure that broadcasters avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes. "This section and the following section on privacy are different from other sections of the Code. They apply to how broadcasters treat the individuals or organisations directly affected by programmes, rather than to what the general public sees and/or hears as viewers and listeners.

    As well as containing a principle and a rule this section contains "practices to be followed" by broadcasters when dealing with individuals or organisations participating in or otherwise directly affected by programmes as broadcast. Following these practices will not necessarily avoid a breach of this section of the Code (Rule 7.1). However, failure to follow these practises will only constitute a breach where it results in unfairness to an individual or organisation in the programme. Importantly, the Code does not and cannot seek to set out all the "practices to be followed" in order to avoid unfair treatment." - REFERENCE

                                                                                                    Producers Guidelines are Guidelines that help you think of what you are saying so you don't harm and offend someone or effect someones privacy or break any of the rules set by OFCOM

BBC's Editoral codes have a higher expectation standards for the BBC and are expected to be aware of them and follow all the producers guidelines which is a public statement which allows the BBC Programme makers be aware of all the guidelines and make sure they follow all of the guidelines