Media: broadcast, film, video
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in the Media.
For information on broadcast journalism see our ‘journalism and writing’ and ‘publishing and printing’ pages. You might also find our information on careers in Music useful.
What is Media: broadcast, film and video?
You could work on anything from books to television shows in this popular sector, which aims to inform and entertain. Competition is strong for entry-level positions but persistence and networking pay off. 23% of the South East's and 25% of London's audio visual workforce is employed on a freelance basis. 90% of audio visual companies in the South East has fewer than 5 employees. The majority of audio visual industries in the South East are located in London with 58% of the film production work force living in London.
(Skillset)
Skillset
This is the sector skills council for the audio visual industries. It provides a wealth of careers information for those interested in pursuing a career in this sector. You will also find a section detailing various occupations in the industry.
www.skillset.org
www.skillset.org/careers/jobs
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs, which are available at www.prospects.ac.uk
Runner, broadcasting/film/video
Television production assistant
Television/film/video producer
Radio Producer
Programme researcher/broadcasting/film/video
Location Manager
Broadcast assistant radio
Floor Manager Television
Broadcasting, film and video production
Broadcasting, film and video technical
Prospects Community - Media and Publishing
Including advertising, promotion, marketing, publishing, media and the performing arts.
www.prospects.ac.uk/media
Targetjobs
Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/media-and-publishing
StartinTV
You will find job profiles for:Runner and Researcher
Design Vision Careers Information from the BBC
An introduction to design careers within the film, television and motion graphics industry
www.bbc.co.uk/design/index.shtml
Mentoring Scheme
The Brighton Graduate Association encourages alumni and friends of the University to use their experience to the benefit of current students. If you are interested in informal mentoring from graduates in your field please contact alumni@brighton.ac.uk or look at the website.
www.brighton.ac.uk/bga/
How do I get into it?
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC has two websites that are useful for getting to radio and television and covers information on getting work experience (unpaid) and contract/permanent paid employment. Information from graduates recruited into the BBC suggests that candidates must be persistent and be prepared to gain as much experience as you can, be ready to face rejection and reapply.
www.bbc.co.uk/jobs
National Film and Television School
National Society for Education in Art and Design
Leading national authority concerned with art, craft and design across all phases of education in the United Kingdom.
www.nsead.org
Skillset
You will find a wealth of careers information relating to the audio visual industries including work experience information, film job profiles and a database of media courses.
www.skillset.org
StartinTV
Advice and tips from professionals, interesting career profiles plus option to register your CV.
www.startintv.com
Wired Sussex
Finding a job or employer in this sector
According to Skillset, 23% of the South East's and 25% of London's audio visual workforce is employed on a freelance basis. According to the National Employer Skills Survey 90% of audio visual companies in the South East has fewer than 5 employees. With this information in mind you may want to find out more self employment and speculative applications.
The majority of audio visual industries in the South East are located in London with 58% of the film production work force living in London and over half of the TV workforce, this includes cable and satellite as well as independent production.
Opportunities may exist for students to contribute to programmes on a voluntary basis. Experience, or at least involvement with student radio or journalism, is useful.
Local radio stations
BBC
The BBC recruits centrally for its local networks and will usually advertise vacancies and training schemes in the national press or via www.bbc.co.uk/jobs.
Meridian Television
Newspaper
Publishing companies in Sussex recruit trainee journalists from time to time, and sometimes offer work experience. (For a list of local newspapers see the link below or Willings Press Guide.
www.wrx.zen.co.uk
Books and magazines
There are a number of book and magazine publishing companies in and around Sussex which from time to time recruit editors, designers, copy-writers etc. Further information about these publishers can be found in either the Creative Handbook (available on reference at Grand Parade careers centre or online at www.chb.com) and Writers and Artists Yearbook.
Brighton Media Centre
Houses a variety of the region’s leading businesses and provides an information point answering questions about careers and training opportunities, business links, suppliers, contacts and local events www.mediacentre.org/index.php
Community Media Association
News, information, services and a gateway to community media organisations in the UK and world wide.
www.commedia.org.uk
Creative Brighton
Brighton & Hove and beyond, ensuring that the city and the region creates the conditions in which companies of all sizes can achieve the level of commercial success and critical recognition they aspire to.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Lighthouse
Lighthouse provides creative and professional development opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters, animators and artists working with the moving image and digital technology.
www.lighthouse.org.uk/
National Organisations
Broadcast Graduate
Website dedicated to supporting graduates with TV / Film / Broadcast / Media / Design degrees in finding their first position in the broadcast and media industries. You can create an online profile and view positions and apply directly to a variety of employers.
www.broadcastgraduate.com
film-tv.co.uk
Showcases experienced film and television personnel, job vacancies, production companies and facilities/associated companies.
www.film-tv.co.uk
Media Guardian
Advertising; Marketing and PR; Broadcast; Press and Publishing; New Media news, reports and jobs
media.guardian.co.uk
Media UK
The critically-acclaimed independent media directory for the UK. Listing websites, addresses, telephone numbers, live links and more for all areas of the online media, it's your one-stop media portal.
www.mediauk.com/
round8
Graduate to Director Recruitment Agency round8 finds and develops commercial people for media and digital media companies.
www.round8.com
The White Book
Lists leading businesses in every sector of the Media Industry, from concert production and promotion, publicity and marketing to manufacturers, conference and exhibition industries. It also incorporates record companies, TV film and video industries, through to artistes, agents and managers
www.whitebook.co.uk
Kasmei
Job and opportunity portal for the documentary and experimental film making domains.
www.kasmei.com/
Further Information and useful links
Film
British Film Institute
Further information and vacancy information at the BFI
www.bfi.org.uk
Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU)
Includes a careers section
www.bectu.org.uk
Pact UK
Trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.
www.pact.co.uk
Professional Lighting & Sound Association
Trade association representing companies who manufacture, supply, hire, install or use lighting, sound, audio-visual and related technologies within the entertainment, presentation, architectural and communication industries. Site includes some training information.
www.plasa.org
Televison
Ofcom
Useful site for issues and market and industry information
http://jobs.ofcom.org.uk
Radio
Radio Academy
See the skills development section for information on getting into radio
www.radioacademy.org
Women's Radio Group