Scott Weavers
Media Production
@
Unit 24
P1
Floor Runner
A floor runner is where most Directors and filmmakers usually start off. This role interested me because it would help me get a really good insight into how a Film and Television set works, while also giving me the opportunity to learn new things about the industry.
This is a local Runner course in Bristol at a production company called film@59. This course appealed to me because you'd be working for almost a year learning all the different skills you would need to be a runner. Also film@59 are well known for their work with channel 4.
This is another runner course I found, based in London. This course would only take a day which means you'd learn the skills much quicker. This course would teach me new skills such as how to set up and EZ-up (An instant water proof shelter).
Camera Trainee
A Camera Trainee is similar to a runner in terms of learning and experiencing new things about the industry. If I want to be a camera operator in the future I'll need to learn specific skills, such as changing lenses and filling out camera reports.
This is a job I found for a 3rd Assistant Director on the production of Coronation street. This is almost identical to a camera trainee where by your learning from the 1st and 2nd assent directors while also learning how to work as part of a team.
Below are two university courses I have found related to Filmmaking. Both the BA Film and Television course and the BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography course combine academic studies with practical film making. The Bournemouth course interested me the most because it gives me the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as adverts and Drama's while allowing me to improve my producing, editing and directing skills.
Other courses
Here are some apprenticeship type courses from very famous companies such as the BBC. These course are all based around Television production which is an area I am interested in getting into to. The course that appealed to me the most is the Camera, Sound and Vision Mixing Diploma in partnership with Sky.
P2
P3
Business
I own a camera, tripod, stabiliser and a MacBook, with this equipment I could start my own freelance business. The camera would allow me to go to people and say I can make a documentary about this place or person for example. The camera equipment would make sure that I'd be getting the best shots possible, making the content that I produce better. The MacBook would then provide me with the tools I need to edit the video. It's also portable meaning I could take it anywhere, making me more flexible with timings. In addition to making films I could use the camera to take promotional pictures for the video. This would make me more appealing to customers as I'd be offering more for the project, also I would be able to charge a higher price for both the video and the pictures; making me more money to buy new equipment for better videos.
Gain Employment
Work experience is a good way to show employers that you can independently find work in your chosen field while also being able to talk about your experiences with you interviewer; opening up your communication skills. I got the opportunity to experience a Television set at the bottleyard studios. This experience provided me with a good insight into how a Television production runs and all the different jobs that make it run smoothly. While onsite we interviewed a few of the casts and crew who talked about whats its like being on set, how they ended up there and advice for future people of the industry. The most insightful interview was the Director because of the advice he gave us such as, you need a lot of patience and hard work in order to succeed. Communication and Team work are two very important skills that will appeal to employers. Some expamples of these could be playing Rugby, Ten Tors and NCS which all require you to talk to your team while attempting to complete a certain tasks.
Higher Education
Once I've finished this Media Production course at Boomsatsuam I will receive a level 3 diploma which is the equivalent to 3 A levels. The maximum number of UCAS points you can get for this course is 120 and each university will require a different number of UCAS points depending on the subject. But all universities will require a C or above in Maths and English. One of the courses I have looked at is Film Production and Cinematography at Bournemouth university. The courses entry requirements are 112-128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.
P4
January 2018- applying for an apprenticeship with either BBC, ITV , channel or sky. The apprenticeship will be based around TV production and getting hands experience on a set. The BBC apprenticeships are probably the most known. They have a Production apprentice scheme which provides me with the opportunity of getting new ideas out there with regards to capturing sound and vision.
September 2019- Starting my apprenticeship
The BBC apprenticeship will last a year where as some apprenticeships lasts for 2 or 3 years.
September 2022- Working as a Camera Trainee
I'll then spend a year trying to get work as a camera trainee. This will mainly consist of working on TV shows specifically Soap's, which are a greta place to start out.
June 2019- Leaving college with a level 3 diploma and well as loads of content to show employers.
​
September 2021- Working as Runner
I plan to spend at least year working or finding work experience as a runner or either a TV or Film set.
My plan to becoming a Director or Cinematographer
2025- Finding a job as a Director or Cinematographer.
Hopefully from the experience I would have gained working as a runner, camera trainee/operator and assistant director, I would then be in good position to start applying to be a Director or Cinematographer
​
2023- Working as a camera operator or camera assistant.
Similar to the previous year I'll be trying to learn the skills throughs TV shows such as Soap's or Game Shows
2024- working as a first or second assistant director
Similar to the previous two years however in order to progress I will aim to try an work on higher end shows such as Drama's and News programs. Or I could try and branch out into the film industry by working on some lower budget films.
September 2020- Participating in the NYFA Breakthrough course.
This is a year long course which aims to build confidence, experience and contacts to improve my opportunity at becoming a professional Filmmaker.
Or a similar course.
​
Improvements- photoshop
Photoshop is a really good technical skill to have and being able to learn and successfully edit images on photoshop would make me a more versatile person to employ
Improvements- organisation
To improve my organisation skills I will use a calendar on my phone to help me plan my day, this will help me know exactly what I need to do and when. I also struggle to organise large groups of people which is something I will need to do if I want to be a Director. In order to get better at organising large groups I will start by organising trips and events for my friends and family.
​
Improvements- patience
It may take two or three goes before I get job as a Runner or Camera Trainee, so I will need to be patient and keep persevering to get the job that I would like.
Improvements- Understanding Films and Televisions
In order to become a top Director or Cinematographer my understanding of film will have to improve. Even though I feel I have good understanding of film there are areas I can improve such as What makes the perfect shot? How to translate the meaning more effectively? What makes a great character?. I will continue to watch Films and TV shows while attempting to find out the answer to some of these questions. Completing this research will hopefully then improve any future film projects that I am apart of.
​
Possibly swap these two
P5
P6
Selection of Images
Films